Shri Vallabhacharya departed from his home to spend his final days by the sacred Ganges River at Hanuman Ghat in Benares. Accompanied by his two sons and devoted followers who had gathered to receive his parting teachings, the silent Master prepared for his transcendence. Just before entering the waters of the Ganges, where his physical form would transform into a column of light to reunite with his Beloved, he inscribed three-and-a-half lines of profound devotional counsel upon the sands.

The verses collectively emphasize the spiritual journey of turning inward, placing unwavering faith in Lord Krishna, and transcending worldly distractions to realize one’s true essence. They highlight the following teachings:

  1. Inward Focus: External distractions lead to entanglement in the cycle of time and detachment from spiritual growth. True peace comes from looking within.
  2. Transcendence of the Mundane: Krishna, being above worldly concerns, calls upon devotees to focus on the eternal rather than the transient.
  3. Devotion and Surrender: Complete dedication to Krishna, in both worldly and spiritual aspects, ensures fulfillment, as He is the provider of all needs.
  4. Faith as Fulfillment: Faith in Krishna guarantees liberation from sorrow and grants spiritual contentment.
  5. Liberation as Realization: Liberation is not mere escape from material life but the realization and establishment in one’s true spiritual nature.

Together, the verses guide devotees to seek liberation through unwavering devotion to Krishna, who is both the protector and the ultimate goal. The teachings encourage complete surrender, faith, and self-realization for spiritual fulfillment and eternal connection with the divine.


yadā bahirmukhā yūyaṁ bhaviṣyatha kathañcana ।
tadā kāla pravāha sthā deha citta ādayaḥ apyuta ॥ 1 ॥
यदा बहिर्मुखा यूयं भविष्यथ कथञ्चन ।
तदा काल प्रवाह स्था देह चित्त आदयः अप्युत ॥ १ ॥
yadā bahirmukhā yūyaṁ bhaviṣyatha kathañcana ।
tadā kālapravāhasthā dehacittādayopyuta ॥ 1 ॥
यदा बहिर्मुखा यूयं भविष्यथ कथञ्चन ।
तदा कालप्रवाहस्था देहचित्तादयोप्युत ॥ १ ॥
When (yadā) you all (yūyaṁ) turn outward (bahirmukhā), focusing on external distractions in some manner (kathañcana), then (tadā) you will be swept along by the flow of time (kālapravāhasthā). In such a state, the body (deha), mind (citta), and other aspects or attachments (ādayaḥ) will surely (apyuta) be influenced or consumed.

sarvathā bhakṣayiṣyanti yuṣmān iti matir mama ।
na laukikaḥ prabhuḥ kṛṣṇaḥ manute na eva laukikam ॥ 2 ॥
सर्वथा भक्षयिष्यन्ति युष्मान् इति मतिर्मम ।
न लौकिकः प्रभुः कृष्णः मनुते न एव लौकिकम् ॥ २ ॥
sarvathā bhakṣayiṣyanti yuṣmān iti matir mama ।
na laukikaḥ prabhuḥ kṛṣṇo manute naiva laukikam ॥ 2 ॥
सर्वथा भक्षयिष्यन्ति युष्मान् इति मतिर्मम ।
न लौकिकः प्रभुः कृष्णो मनुते नैव लौकिकम् ॥ २ ॥
My belief (matir mama) is that you all (yuṣmān) will surely (sarvathā) be consumed (bhakṣayiṣyanti), as the Lord Krishna (kṛṣṇaḥ prabhuḥ) does not engage with nor consider (manute naiva) anything mundane or worldly (laukikaḥ laukikam).

bhāvaḥ tatra api asmādīyaḥ sarvasvaḥ ca ihikaḥ ca saḥ ।
paralokaḥ ca tena ayaṁ sarvabhāvena sarvathā ।
sevyaḥ sa eva gopīśaḥ vidhāsyati akhilaṁ hi naḥ ॥ 3 ॥
भावः तत्र अपि अस्मदीयः सर्वस्वः च ऐहिकः च सः ।
परलोकः च तेन अयं सर्वभावेन सर्वथा ।
सेव्यः स एव गोपीशः विधास्यति अखिलं हि नः ॥ ३ ॥
bhāvas tatrāpy asmādīyaḥ sarvasvaś ca ihikaś ca saḥ ।
paralokaś ca tenāyaṁ sarvabhāvena sarvathā ।
sevyaḥ sa eva gopīśo vidhāsyaty akhilaṁ hi naḥ ॥ 3 ॥
भावस्तत्राप्यस्मदीयः सर्वस्वश्चैहिकश्च सः ।
परलोकश्च तेनायं सर्वभावेन सर्वथा ।
सेव्यः स एव गोपीशो विधास्यत्यखिलं हि नः ॥ ३ ॥
This verse poetically portrays Krishna, the Lord of the Gopīs (gopīśaḥ), as both the supreme protector and ultimate recipient of devotion (sevyaḥ sa eva). The sentiment expressed is one of absolute surrender and service, with complete faith that Krishna will fulfill all needs (vidhāsyaty akhilaṁ). It emphasizes that Krishna is the sole focus of love and devotion, both in this world (ihikaḥ) and in the spiritual realms (paralokaḥ). This verse also highlights the union of material and spiritual devotion, unified through unwavering dedication (sarvabhāvena).

mayi ca asti viśvāsaḥ śrī gopī jana vallabhe ।
tadā kṛtārthā yūyaṁ hi śocanīyaṁ na karhicit ॥ 4 ॥
मयि च अस्ति विश्वासः श्री गोपी जन वल्लभे ।
तदा कृतार्था यूयं हि शोचनीयं न कर्हिचित् ॥ ४ ॥
mayi ce’sti viśvāsaḥ śrī-gopījana-vallabhe ।
tadā kṛtārthā yūyaṁ hi śocanīyaṁ na karhicit ॥ 4 ॥
मयि चेऽस्ति विश्वासः श्रीगोपीजनवल्लभे ।
तदा कृतार्था यूयं हि शोचनीयं न कर्हिचित् ॥ ४ ॥
If you (ce) have faith (viśvāsaḥ) in me (mayi), the beloved of the Gopīs (śrī-gopījana-vallabhe), then (tadā), you all (yūyaṁ) will be fulfilled (kṛtārthā) and will never (na karhicit) face anything pitiable or lamentable (śocanīyaṁ).

muktiḥ hitvā anyatha rūpaṁ svarūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ ।
मुक्तिः हित्वा अन्यथ रूपं स्वरूपेण व्यवस्थितिः ।
mukti-hitvānyatha rūpaṁ svarūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ ॥ 5 ॥
मुक्तिहित्वान्यथ रूपं स्वरूपेण व्यवस्थितिः ॥ ५ ॥
Abandoning (hitvā) external forms (anyatha rūpam), liberation (mukti) is defined as being established (vyavasthitiḥ) in one’s true essence (svarūpeṇa).

Thus ends the 'Śikṣāpadnyāni' composed by Shri Vallabhacharya.