The Divine Journey Begins
Once, Lord Kṛṣṇa, seated in Dvārakā amidst His beloved queens and ministers, suddenly grew inwardly reflective. Observing the stirrings of spiritual longing, He decided to reveal a profound truth to His associates.
He summoned Uddhava, His most intimate devotee and confidant, and said:
“Dear Uddhava, let us now journey to the hidden island of Śvetadvīpa, a land beyond the reach of illusion, where Ananta Śeṣa, My eternal servant, rests and glorifies My names with a thousand mouths.”
This was no ordinary pilgrimage. Śvetadvīpa is not found on any earthly map. It lies beyond the material coverings, in the spiritual waters, where the original Viṣṇu expands as Śeṣa to support all the universes.
Arrival in Śvetadvīpa
Kṛṣṇa, along with Uddhava, boarded His celestial chariot, crossing beyond time and matter. The Vedas declare that even the demigods rarely gain access to Śvetadvīpa.
As they approached, the entire region was resplendent—a luminous white island surrounded by the ocean of milk. There were no sufferings, no old age, no birth—only pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord.
There, seated upon a radiant white throne, was Ananta Śeṣa, the thousand-headed serpent who is an eternal form of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, chanting with thunderous voice:
“Oṁ namo nārāyaṇāya!
Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya!”
Each of His mouths glorified a different pastime of the Lord, yet even after countless ages, He could not reach the end of the Lord’s glories.
The Revelation to Uddhava
Kṛṣṇa turned to Uddhava and said:
“See, My dear Uddhava, this is Ananta, My eternal servant and the embodiment of knowledge and patience. He supports all the worlds and sings My glories eternally. Just as He never ceases in His service, so too must My devotees remain fixed in remembrance.”
Uddhava folded his hands in deep reverence and bowed down before Ananta.
Ananta Śeṣa opened one of his mouths and spoke directly to Uddhava:
“O devotee of the Lord, never forget that all glories, all power, and all beauty are but reflections of the Lord’s mercy. Even I, with a thousand tongues, cannot fully describe His wonders.”
Uddhava was stunned by the humility and devotion of such a vast, cosmic being.
Return and Instruction
Having spent time in Śvetadvīpa, bathing in its purity and absorbing its secrets, Kṛṣṇa and Uddhava returned to Dvārakā. There, Lord Kṛṣṇa shared what He had shown:
“In this age of Kali, My devotees must take shelter of three things:
- The Holy Name, which is greater than all pilgrimage.
- The company of sādhus, who are like Śvetadvīpa on earth.
- Remembrance of My pastimes, which destroy illusion.”
Kṛṣṇa instructed the sages to preserve these teachings in the Purāṇas, so that even those who never travel to Śvetadvīpa may taste its nectar through faith and devotion.
Lessons to Be Learned:
- Śvetadvīpa symbolizes the inner world of pure devotion, accessible through bhakti, not maps.
- Ananta Śeṣa’s unending glorification of the Lord teaches us the limitless nature of Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.
- Even the most powerful beings find their greatest joy in humble service to Kṛṣṇa.
- The Holy Name is Śvetadvīpa made manifest on earth—chanting brings us to that sacred realm.
Origin of the Story: Harivaṁśa Purāṇa – Viṣṇu-parva, Chapters 73–77
