Uddhava has been with Krishna since he was a small boy, charioting him and providing for him in a variety of ways. He never made a wish or requested a blessing from Sri Krishna.

Krishna called Uddhava as He was about to finish His avatar and stated, “Dear Uddhava, many people have asked and received boons from me in this avatar of mine, but you never asked me anything.” Why don’t you inquire right now? I’ll give it to you. Permit me to finish this avatar while also feeling good about helping you.

Uddhava’s Questions

Though Uddhava made no requests for himself, he had been watching Krishna since he was a young boy. He had always been perplexed by the seeming contradiction between Krishna’s deeds and teachings and desired to know the causes behind them.

“Lord, you taught us to live in one way, but you lived differently,” he questioned Krishna. I had numerous inquiries concerning the Mahabharata performance, encompassing your deeds and the role you performed. I would like to know why you did what you did. Would you satisfy my curiosity?

Krishna stated, “Uddhava, the Bhagavad Gita is what I told Arjuna during the Kurukshetra war.” My answer to you would be called “The Uddhava Gita” today. That’s the reason I offered you this chance. Kindly ask without holding back.

“First, Krishna, tell me who is a real friend,” Uddhava begins to inquire.

“The true friend comes to the aid of his friend in need even without being called,” according to Krishna.

Uddhava: “Krishna, you were the Pandavas’ close friend.” As Apadhbandhava (protector from all troubles), they had complete faith in you. Krishna, you know what has happened and what will occur. You make excellent gyani. You just described what a true friend is. Why did you not behave by that definition? Why didn’t you stop Yudhishtra, Dharmaraj, from engaging in the gambling game? And since you did not stop him, why did you not make Dharmaraj the beneficiary of your good fortune, therefore guaranteeing the victory of Dharma? You also didn’t do that.

If you had stopped the game after Dharmaraj lost his fortune, kingdom, and himself, you could have at least saved him. You could have excused him from his gambling punishment. Alternatively, you may have entered the hallway as he began to wager with his brothers. That’s not what you did, either. You could have interfered and used your divine power to make the dice roll in Dharmaraj’s favour when Duryodhana lured him by promising to refund everything lost if he gambled on Draupadi, who always brought good fortune to the Pandavas. Instead, you only stepped in when Draupadi was on the verge of losing her modesty, and now you say that you restored her modesty by giving her garments. How can you even say this?

When a man drags a woman into the hall and forces her to undress in front of so many people, what dignity remains? What spares do you have? You can only be called an “Apadabandhava” when you assist someone in their need. What good is it if you did not lend a hand during the crisis? Is it morality? Uddhava’s eyes began to well up with tears as he asked these inquiries.

These are not Uddhava’s only questions. These are questions that all of us who have read the Mahabharata have. Uddhava had previously asked Krishna on our behalf.

Krishna’s Answer

Krishna Bhagavan chuckled. The world’s law, dear Uddhava, is that “only the one who has Viveka (intellect through discrimination) wins.” Dharmaraj did not have Viveka, but Duryodhana did. This explains Dharmaraj’s defeat.

Uddhava was bewildered and disoriented. Krishna goes on,

“Duryodhana was wealthy and had plenty of money to gamble, but he was not skilled at the dice game.” For this reason, he gambled while playing the game with his uncle, Shakuni. It is the viveka. Dharmaraj could have also had the same thought and proposed that I, his cousin, perform on his behalf. Who do you think would have won if Shakuni and I had played dice? Should I roll the numbers he requests, or may he roll the ones I call?

He forgot to add me to the game, but I can overlook that. But he made another error in the absence of Viveka. He prayed that I should not enter the hall because he did not want me to find out that he was forced to play this game due to unfortunate circumstances. I was expecting someone to call me through their prayers when he bound me with his prayers and prevented me from entering the hall. They neglected to summon me even after Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva were lost; instead, they were merely blaming Duryodhana and moping over their lot in life.

When Dusshasan grabbed Draupadi’s hair and pulled her to obey his brother’s orders, not even she called me. In the hallway, she was also debating her skills. I never heard from her. When Dusshasan began undressing her, common sense took over, and she stopped relying on her strength. She then began to cry out for me, saying, “Hari, Hari, Abhayam Krishna, Abhayam.” It was only then that I had the chance to preserve her modesty. As soon as I heard the phone, I answered. I spared her humility. What have I done wrong in this circumstance?

Excellent justification, Kanha. It impresses me. I am not, however, being duped. Uddhava asks, “May I ask you another question?” He is granted permission to continue by Krishna.

Does this imply that you will only show up when summoned? Uddhava queries, “Will you not come on your own to help people in crisis, to establish justice?”

Krishna grinned. “Uddhava, each person’s karma determines their life in this life.” I don’t oversee it or meddle in its operations. All I am is a “witness.” I continue to watch whatever is going on while standing near you. This is the dharma of God.

Amazingly excellent, Krishna. If that’s the case, you’ll monitor us closely and witness our sinful deeds; you’ll watch us until we stop committing sins. You want us to suffer, make more mistakes, and accrue sins, Uddhava says.

Krishna says Please understand the underlying significance of what you’ve said, Uddhava. How can you do something bad or wrong when you realize I am standing by you as a witness? You can’t possibly do anything wrong. You get into problems when you ignore this and believe that you can act independently of me. Dharmaraj was ignorant because he believed he could gamble without my knowing. Would the game have ended differently if Dharmaraj had known that I was constantly present with everyone in the guise of “Sakshi” (witness)?

Bhakti enchanted and overcame Uddhava. “What a deep philosophy!” he exclaimed. What an astounding fact! Even worshipping, praying, and asking God for assistance are only actions based on our feelings and beliefs.

How can we fail to sense his presence as witnesses when we begin to believe that nothing moves without him? How do we move on and forget this? Krishna taught Arjuna this philosophy throughout the Bhagavad Gita. Though he did not battle alone, he served as Arjuna’s charioteer and guide.

Acknowledge the Ultimate Sakshi/Witnesser both inside and outside of you! And become one with that God-awareness! Uncover Your True Self—The Unadulterated, Love-Filled, and Joyful Supreme Consciousness! Tat Tvam Asi!