CBSE · Class 10 · Hindi · Kshitij Poetry: Pad (Surdas)Why do the Gopis call Uddhava fortunate ('Bhadbhagi') in Surdas's 'Pad'? What irony is hidden behind this statement?

In Surdas's poem 'Pad', the Gopis address Uddhava as 'Bhadbhagi' (very fortunate) in an ironic and sarcastic manner. Although the word literally means fortunate, the Gopis actually mean that Uddhava is extremely unfortunate. Despite staying very close to Lord Krishna, the ocean of supreme love, Uddhava remains completely untouched by the feeling of love and devotion. Just as a lotus leaf stays in water without getting wet, or a drop of oil in water does not mix with it, Uddhava remained detached from Krishna's divine affection and missed out on experiencing true spiritual bliss.