Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.70.46
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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paramam cakṣuḥ
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supreme eye
Bhagavān calls Uddhava His paramaṁ cakṣuḥ — through Uddhava He sees. The Gauḍīya gloss: the great devotee becomes Bhagavān's organ in the world. Not metaphor — a real participation.
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suhṛt
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well-wishing friend
Suhṛd — friend without expectation. Cf. BG 5.29 — bhagavān as the suhṛt of all beings. Here He calls Uddhava His suhṛt — the relationship is mutual. Bhakti reverses every direction it travels.
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mantra-artha-tattva-vit
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knower of the truth of the meanings of counsel
Triple compound: mantra (counsel), artha (significance), tattva (truth). Uddhava knows not just the surface of advice but the tattva behind it. The verse defines the qualification of a Vaiṣṇava counselor.
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śraddadhmaḥ
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We have faith (in you)
Even Bhagavān 'has faith' — śraddhā — in His devotee. The reversal is doctrinally vast: śraddhā, usually the devotee's quality, is here Bhagavān's quality toward His devotee. Bhakti is shared in both directions.
You alone (hi) are the eye of the Yādavas since you act for our benefit without personal motives (suhṛt) and know thoroughly how to give counsel. You are the best eye. More than the eye, you have the ability to see the future and distant places by mantra. For this reason, you should say which of these two actions should be done first. You should not say that your words will not be done. We will accept your decision with faith and carry it out. With great affection he encouraged Uddhava to speak.
You alone (hi) are the best (paramam) of us Yādavas and better than the well-known eye which can see objects only at close range. You can show future misfortunes by your advice, since you are a relative (suhṛd). Or thus you are our benefactor (suhṛt). Or you can give advice because you have a clear mind (suhṛt). Tell us after investigating carefully (anu). Or say which of the two actions we should do first (anustheyam). Do not think that the Yadus will not follow your advice. We will accept with faith (śraddadhmaḥ) and do. Out of great affection the Lord encourages Uddhava to speak.
- Do I name people's gifts before asking them to use those gifts?
- Whose specific strength have I undervalued in my asks?
Bhagavān naming Uddhava as 'Our best eye and closest friend' is like the sun calling one beam its favourite. He has many friends, many counselors; yet He singles out Uddhava as paramaṁ cakṣuḥ — the eye through which He chooses to see this moment.
In SB 11.6-29, before His departure from this world, Kṛṣṇa entrusts to Uddhava His final teaching — the Uddhava-gītā — covering bhakti, jñāna, varṇāśrama, and the four yugas. He does so because Uddhava is paramaṁ cakṣuḥ — His chosen vessel.
This verse, 46, is decades earlier in time but the trust is already established. Bhakti's intimacies are not built overnight; the Rājasūya consultation is rehearsal for the Uddhava-gītā itself.
My note
Source: vedabase.io