The Life of Nanda and Yashodha After the Departure of Shri Krishna

RADHE RADHE!

When Shri Krishna left Vrindavan to kill Kansa, he left behind his friends and family, especially Yashodha. However, when she was on her last breath, Shri Krishna did visit her, showing that he remained a part of their lives even in spirit. Yashodha was not mad at him, as she was happy to see him on her deathbed. But she did express sadness that she could not witness his marriages to his beloved Radha.

These stories from the Mahabharata are not about typical soap operas. Each character represents an aspect that brings out a deeper spiritual discourse. Shri Krishna is a saga of enormous challenges, embodying the joyful spirit even amidst adversity. Yashodha, Yashda, meaning glory or success, symbolizes the nurturing presence that preserved Shri Krishna during his most vulnerable moments. Together, they represent the wisdom and blessings of Gokul, the realm of knowledge and clan.

The story of what happened to Nanda and Yashodha after Shri Krishna's departure has a moving narrative. When Shri Krishna sent his friend Uddhava before the Mahabharata War to deliver a message to Vrindavan, Uddhava found Nanda and Yashodha in a state of great sadness. Nanda, who was very thin and had sunken eyes, was overcome with grief. Yashodha, though also in deep distress, was hopeful when she saw Uddhava, believing that Shri Krishna had returned.

Nanda brought Uddhava into the house and offered him food. The kitchen, however, was filled with cobwebs, a sign that no food had been prepared since Shri Krishna's departure. Uddhava conveyed Shri Krishna's message, telling Nanda that he was nothing but a God and that Shri Krishna had deliberately chosen to be born in their home as a demonstration of divine will.

Nanda, however, disagreed with Uddhava. He argued that even if Shri Krishna was a God, it was the parents' mistake to think he was their son and to be abandoned. He reminisced about their daily interactions, especially the times when Shri Krishna would call them "Baba" and "Maiyya." Nanda felt that his pain was irrevocable and even questioned the truth of Shri Krishna's divine nature.

As the conversation continued, Yashodha came out of the house, running towards them with hope. When she saw Uddhava, she fainted from the immense pain and longing for her son. Uddhava explained to Nanda that Shri Krishna often missed his parents in Mathura and longed to return. Still, Nanda's heart was heavy, feeling the absence of his son deeply.

Their story also highlights the depth of love that Yashodha had for Shri Krishna. It is told that once a visitor asked a Gopi about the address of Nanda and Yashodha's home, to which she replied, "Follow these two rivers, the black and the white, they lead to the house of Nanda and Yashodha. The white river is the milk that flows from Yashodha's affection for Shri Krishna, and the black river is the kajal that flows from her tears of longing." This story underscores how much Yashodha's love directly influenced Shri Krishna, showing that their deep penance and love could bind even the divine.

JAI SHREE KRISHNA!

Radhe Radhe