Uddhava was not only a devotee but a pure devotee (ekantinam). The quality of the ekanta bhakti is mentioned in this verse: He is an ekanta bhakta who gives up father, mother and other attachments, fixes his mind only on Krsna and is filled with deep prema for the Lord. Among such devotees, Uddhava is dearmost (prestham). Taking his hand in a solitary place, indicating that he was filled with pain, Krsna, who takes away all pains of people who surrender to him (what to speak then of taking away the distress of the people of Vraja who were the most surrendered devotees), spoke to Uddhava.

Aim of showing Uddhava’s devotion, the cause of his being dear to Kṛṣṇa and being a friend, Śukadeva describes the aim of this description. The Lord spoke to Uddhava, who had great affection (preṣṭham) for Kṛṣṇa from childhood and absorbed in his service with the greatest respect (bhaktam). yaḥ pañca-hāyano mātrā prātar-āśāya yācitaḥ tan naicchad racayan yasya saparyāṁ bāla-līlayā Making an image of Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava used to offer items of worship to it, and when his mother called him for breakfast, he did not want to eat while his worship was incomplete. SB 3.2.2 Uddhava was completely dependent on Kṛṣṇa. Gajendra describes this: ekāntino yasya na kañcanārthaṁ vāñchanti ye vai bhagavat-prapannāḥ I praise the Lord whose pure devotees do not desire any material object, since they are surrendered fully to him. SB 8.3.20 The Śrī-vaiṣṇavas say: vihāya pita-devādīn pariniṣthāṁ gato harau tad gāḍha premabhiḥ pūrṇa ekāntīti nigadyate That person who gives up worship of Pitṛs and devatās, who surrenders to the Lord and who is filled with the deepest types of prema for the Lord is called the ekānta devotee. The verse indicates that he was more devoted than all the other Yadus. Kṛṣṇa spoke to him. Why? He wanted to take away the suffering of his devotees in Vraja. The Lord responds to those who surrender even once, saying “I am yours.” What to speak of responding to the people of Vraja whose very life was Kṛṣṇa. Thus he spoke to Uddhava in order to take away their suffering. They deserved to be the objects of his knowledge and mercy. Kṛṣṇa was the greatest ocean of qualities such as mercy and omniscience. “It would be very difficult for Kṛṣṇa to have a private talk with Uddhava since he was surrounded by many affectionate persons whom he could not avoid.” He did this when he found some opportunity (kvacit). With what gestures did he give the message? He held his hand out of natural arousal of prema on beginning to speak, desiring to speak to him closely because it was most confidential, and desiring to increase Uddhava’s attraction for his desired goal.

At some time when he began thinking of Vraja, or at some place (kvacit), Kṛṣṇa spoke to Uddhava. Uddhava was qualified to reveal confidential matters to the gopīs and Nanda and Yaśodā. His qualities are described in more detail than the previous verse. He was dearest (preṣṭhām). He was a great devotee from childhood. yaḥ pañca-hāyano mātrā prātar-āśāya yācitaḥ tan naicchad racayan yasya saparyāṁ bāla-līlayā Making an image of Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava used to offer items of worship to it, and when his mother called him for breakfast, he did not want to eat while his worship was incomplete. SB 3.2.2 He was completely dependent on Kṛṣṇa (ekāntinam). Or he was a fixed only on Kṛṣṇa as a devotee (ekāntinam bhaktam). vihāya pita-devādīn pariniṣthāṁ gato harau tad gāḍha premabhiḥ pūrṇa ekāntīti nigadyate That person who gives up worship of Pitṛs and devatās, who surrenders to the Lord and who is filled with the deepest types of prema for the Lord is called the ekānta devotee. The cause is explained. Kṛṣṇa was by nature most merciful (bhagavān). He removes the suffering of the devotees. Or since he takes way the suffering of those who are surrendered by saying “I am yours” how much more he will do for the people of Vraja, since he is Hari. He took Uddhavas’ hand in his hand in order to invoke his love, to fulfill his desire purpose or in order to speak secretly, very close. Or it was a natural expression of deep prema when he was about to speak.