Uddhava said: Then, having obtained your permission, they ate and drank the Varuni. With their knowledge diminished, they were touched by harsh words.

Due to their faults, their minds became poisoned. They were like the sound of a flute being crushed.

The Lord, observing the path of His own divine illusion, touched the Saraswati and sat at the root of the tree.

I was told by the Lord, the remover of the distress of the surrendered, 'You go to Badari, desiring your own family.'

Knowing that, O best of men, I approached the feet of my lord, who is capable of being followed from behind.

I saw one sitting alone, searching for my beloved husband, in the abode of Sri Niketan, on the banks of the Sarasvati.

He is dark and pure, free from impurities, with peaceful reddish eyes, known by four arms and also by the yellow garment.

With his left thigh resting on the ground, and his right foot resembling a lotus, he is emaciated, having abandoned the pipal tree.

In that great devotee, the friend of Vyasa, I happened to see him, who wanders among the worlds by his own will.

The beloved Mukunda of the sage, who is devoted to me, spoke to me, who was listening with a loving smile, and gave me rest with his glance.

The Supreme Lord said: I know your innermost desire; I grant you that which is difficult to attain by others. You, desiring my perfection, are worthy of this offering.

He is indeed the best among the good, who, having received my grace, has transcended the mortal realm. Those who see me departing from the human world, do so by their own fortune.

Long ago, I spoke to you, seated on the lotus of the navel, about the supreme knowledge that the sun speaks of, which is said to be the essence of the Bhagavata.

Thus addressed, I, the recipient of the grace of the Supreme Being, spoke with folded hands, my hair standing on end due to affection.

Who among those who have the lotus-like feet of the Lord is not difficult to attain in this world? Yet, O Earth, I do not approach, being eager to serve the lotus feet of Your Lord.

The actions of the uninvited, O Lord, are a refuge from the fear of enemies. The self, in the form of time, is distressed by the thought of the great ascetic.

If you, O Lord, are invoked in mantras, then the one who is unperturbed and possesses the undivided knowledge of the self is questioned. O Lord, I am bewildered like one who is inattentive; may that mind of mine be enchanted by You.

The supreme knowledge, which is the light of the self, was spoken by the Lord to whom? Is it possible for us to accept it, O Lord, so that we may cross over the obstacles?

Thus, the Supreme Lord revealed to me, who was eager to know, the ultimate state of the self.

I, who have come here, bowing down to the feet of the Lord, have understood the path of realization of the truth, which is worshipped by the wise.

I am filled with the joy of seeing Him, yet I am tormented by separation, O Lord. I will go to His beloved place, the Badrikashrama.

Where Lord Narayana, the God, and the great sage, the Lord, reside, there is gentle and intense penance, which brings prosperity to the worlds.

Shri Shuka said: Hearing this lamentation of the friends, the wise one, who is free from sorrow, dispelled the grief that had arisen.

That great devotee, approaching the Kaurava bull, was warmly welcomed by Krishna.

Vidura said: Knowledge is the supreme self-luminous essence, as stated by the Lord of Yoga, the Supreme Being. You are not fit to speak about that, for the servants of Vishnu act according to their own duties.

Uddhava said: Indeed, there are sages like Kausarava who are established in truth. They are directly instructed by the Lord and are eager to leave the mortal world.

Sri Shuka said: Thus, along with Vidura, the universal form was immersed in the nectar of virtues. Just as a moment on the bank of the river, Yama's beloved, having spent the night there, departed.

The king said: After the demise of the Vrishnis and Bhojas, among the leaders of the Yadus, who is left? How could Uddhava remain, when even Hari abandoned his form?

Sri Shuka said: By the curse of Brahma, at the appointed time, the desired outcome is not achieved. He, having gathered his family, indeed, thought of leaving his body.

From this world, O Uddhava, knowledge that is dependent on Me is worthy of the self-realized.

O Uddhava, even a little of My qualities does not diminish the Lord. Therefore, let Him remain here, accepting My duality.

Thus instructed by the Guru of the three worlds, and having reached Badarikasrama, I meditate on Hari with concentration.

Even Vidura, having heard from Uddhava about Krishna, the Supreme Soul, praised the pastimes of His embodied form.

The abandonment of the body is indeed a source of strength for the wise, while it is more difficult for those whose minds are agitated.

The best of the Kurus, meditating on Krishna with his mind, wept in love when the Bhagavata departed.

O Bharatarshabha, how many Siddhas have attained the river Kalindi, where the son of a friend, the sage, resides.