Uddhava

Uddhava
Other namesPavanayadhi
AffiliationVrishni
TextsPuranas, Mahabharata
Genealogy
DynastyYaduvamsha

Uddhava (Sanskrit: उद्धव, romanized: Uddhava) is a character from the Puranic texts of Hinduism, described to be the friend and counsellor of Krishna. He plays a significant role in the Bhagavata Purana, being taught the processes of yoga and bhakti directly by Krishna. The principle of these discussions is often referred to as the Uddhava Gita,[1] similarly to the Bhagavad Gita wherein Krishna instructs Arjuna.

According to some texts Uddhava was also Krishna's cousin, being the son of Devabhaga, who was the brother of Vasudeva, Krishna's father. His physical appearance was so like that of Krishna's that in some instances, he is mistaken for the latter. The Mahabharata mentions that Uddhava was a minister of the Vrishnis, whom they all regarded and respected.[2] The Bhagavata Purana mentions that Uddhava was a disciple of Brihaspati.[3]

  1. ^ Saraswati, Swami Ambikananda (2002-09-28). The Uddhava Gita: The Final Teaching of Krishna. Ulysses Press. ISBN 978-1-56975-320-0.
  2. ^ Mahbharata Sabha Parva by PC Roy Dyuta Parva page 111, Dhritarashtra's speech
  3. ^ Bhagavata Purana Skandha XI Chapter 23 Verses 2, Bhiksu Gita, Motilal Bansaridass Publishers Book 5 pages 2061 Link: https://archive.org/details/BhagavataPuranaMotilalEnglish