> > Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 4
> > Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda
> > (for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)

> > Canto 4 Part 1

> > **************

> > Chapter Nine: Dhruva Maharaja Returns Home

> > *******

> > TEXT 1

> > maitreya uvaca

> > ta evam utsanna-bhaya urukrame

> > krtavanamah prayayus tri-vistapam

> > sahasrasirsapi tato garutmata

> > madhor vanam bhrtya-didrksaya gatah

> > maitreyah uvaca--the great sage Maitreya continued; te--the demigods; evam--thus; utsanna-bhayah--being freed from all fears; urukrame--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose actions are uncommon; krta-avanamah--they offered their obeisances; prayayuh--they returned; tri-vistapam--to their respective heavenly planets; sahasra-sirsa api--also the Personality of Godhead known as Sahasra-sirsa; tatah--from there; garutmata--getting up on the back of Garuda; madhoh vanam--the forest known as Madhuvana; bhrtya--servant; didrksaya--wishing to see him; gatah--went.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Maitreya told Vidura: When the demigods were thus reassured by the Personality of Godhead, they were freed from all fears, and after offering their obeisances, they returned to their heavenly planets. Then the Lord, who is nondifferent from the Sahasrasirsa incarnation, got on the back of Garuda, who carried Him to the Madhuvana Forest to see His servant Dhruva.

> > *******

> > TEXT 2

> > sa vai dhiya yoga-vipaka-tivraya

> > hrt-padma-kose sphuritam tadit-prabham

> > tirohitam sahasaivopalaksya

> > bahih-sthitam tad-avastham dadarsa

> > sah--Dhruva Maharaja; vai--also; dhiya--by meditation; yoga-vipaka-tivraya--on account of mature realization of the yogic process; hrt--the heart; padma-kose--on the lotus of; sphuritam--manifested; tadit-prabham--brilliant like lightning; tirohitam--having disappeared; sahasa--all of a sudden; eva--also; upalaksya--by observing; bahih-sthitam--externally situated; tat-avastham--in the same posture; dadarsa--was able to see.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The form of the Lord, which was brilliant like lightning and in which Dhruva Maharaja, in his mature yogic process, was fully absorbed in meditation, all of a sudden disappeared. Thus Dhruva was perturbed, and his meditation broke. But as soon as he opened his eyes he saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead personally present, just as he had been seeing the Lord in his heart.

> > *******

> > TEXT 3

> > tad-darsanenagata-sadhvasah ksitav

> > avandatangam vinamayya dandavat

> > drgbhyam prapasyan prapibann ivarbhakas

> > cumbann ivasyena bhujair ivaslisan

> > tat-darsanena--after seeing the Lord; agata-sadhvasah--Dhruva Maharaja, being greatly confused; ksitau--on the ground; avandata--offered obeisances; angam--his body; vinamayya--prostrating; dandavat--just like a rod; drgbhyam--with his eyes; prapasyan--looking upon; prapiban--drinking; iva--like; arbhakah--the boy; cumban--kissing; iva--like; asyena--with his mouth; bhujaih--with his arms; iva--like; aslisan--embracing.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When Dhruva Maharaja saw his Lord just in front of him, he was greatly agitated and offered Him obeisances and respect. He fell flat before Him like a rod and became absorbed in love of Godhead. Dhruva Maharaja, in ecstasy, looked upon the Lord as if he were drinking the Lord with his eyes, kissing the lotus feet of the Lord with his mouth, and embracing the Lord with his arms.

> > *******

> > TEXT 4

> > sa tam vivaksantam atad-vidam harir

> > jnatvasya sarvasya ca hrdy avasthitah

> > krtanjalim brahmamayena kambuna

> > pasparsa balam krpaya kapole

> > sah--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tam--Dhruva Maharaja; vivaksantam--wanting to offer prayers describing His qualities; atat-vidam--not experienced at that; harih--the Personality of Godhead; jnatva--having understood; asya--of Dhruva Maharaja; sarvasya--of everyone; ca--and; hrdi--in the heart; avasthitah--being situated; krta-anjalim--situated with folded hands; brahma-mayena--just consistent with the words of the Vedic hymns; kambuna--with His conchshell; paspa rsa--touched; balam--the boy; krpaya--out of causeless mercy; kapole--on the forehead.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although Dhruva Maharaja was a small boy, he wanted to offer prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead in suitable language. But because he was inexperienced, he could not adjust himself immediately. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, being situated in everyone's heart, could understand Dhruva Maharaja's awkward position. Out of His causeless mercy He touched His conchshell to the forehead of Dhruva Maharaja, who stood before Him with folded hands.

> > *******

> > TEXT 5

> > sa vai tadaiva pratipaditam giram

> > daivim parijnata-paratma-nirnayah

> > tam bhakti-bhavo 'bhyagrnad asatvaram

> > parisrutoru-sravasam dhruva-ksitih

> > sah--Dhruva Maharaja; vai--certainly; tada--at that time; eva--just; pratipaditam--having attained; giram--speech; daivim--transcendental; parijnata--understood; para-atma--of the Supreme Soul; nirnayah--the conclusion; tam--to the Lord; bhakti-bhavah--situated in devotional service; abhyagrnat--offered prayers; asatvaram--without any hasty conclusion; parisruta--widely known; uru-sravasam--whose fame; dhruva-ksitih--Dhruva, whose planet would not be annihilated.

> > TRANSLATION

> > At that time Dhruva Maharaja became perfectly aware of the Vedic conclusion and understood the Absolute Truth and His relationship with all living entities. In accordance with the line of devotional service to the Supreme Lord, whose fame is widespread, Dhruva, who in the future would receive a planet which would never be annihilated, even during the time of dissolution, offered his deliberate and conclusive prayers.

> > *******

> > TEXT 6

> > dhruva uvaca

> > yo 'ntah pravisya mama vacam imam prasuptam

> > sanjivayaty akhila-sakti-dharah sva-dhamna

> > anyams ca hasta-carana-sravana-tvag-adin

> > pranan namo bhagavate purusaya tubhyam

> > dhruvah uvaca--Dhruva Maharaja said; yah--the Supreme Lord who; antah--within; pravisya--entering; mama--my; vacam--words; imam--all these; prasuptam--which are all inactive or dead; sanjivayati--rejuvenates; akhila--universal; sakti--energy; dharah--possessing; sva-dhamna--by His internal potency; anyan ca--other limbs also; hasta--like hands; carana--legs; sravana--ears; tvak--skin; adin--and so on; pranan--life force; namah--let me offer my obeisances; bhagavate--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; purusaya--the Supreme Person; tubhyam--unto You.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dhruva Maharaja said: My dear Lord, You are all-powerful. After entering within me, You have enlivened all my sleeping senses--my hands, legs, ears, touch sensation, life force and especially my power of speech. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

> > *******

> > TEXT 7

> > ekas tvam eva bhagavann idam atma-saktya

> > mayakhyayoru-gunaya mahad-ady-asesam

> > srstvanuvisya purusas tad-asad-gunesu

> > naneva darusu vibhavasuvad vibhasi

> > ekah--one; tvam--you; eva--certainly; bhagavan--O my Lord; idam--this material world; atma-saktya--by Your own potency; maya-akhyaya--of the name maya; uru--greatly powerful; gunaya--consisting of the modes of nature; mahat-adi--the mahat-tattva, etc.; asesam--unlimited; srstva--after creating; anuvisya--then after entering; purusah--the Supersoul; tat--of maya; asat-gunesu--into the temporarily manifested qualities; nana--variously; iva--as if; darusu--into pieces of wood; vibhavasu-vat--just like fire; vibhasi--You appear.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, You are the supreme one, but by Your different energies You appear differently in the spiritual and material worlds. You create the total energy of the material world by Your external potency, and after creation You enter within the material world as the Supersoul. You are the Supreme Person, and through the temporary modes of material nature You create varieties of manifestation, just as fire, entering into wood of different shapes, burns brilliantly in different varieties.

> > *******

> > TEXT 8

> > tvad-dattaya vayunayedam acasta visvam

> > supta-prabuddha iva natha bhavat-prapannah

> > tasyapavargya-saranam tava pada-mulam

> > vismaryate krta-vida katham arta-bandho

> > tvat-dattaya--given by You; vayunaya--by knowledge; idam--this; acasta--could see; visvam--whole universe; supta-prabuddhah--a man rising from sleep; iva--like; natha--O my Lord; bhavat-prapannah--Lord Brahma, who is surrendered unto You; tasya--his; apavargya--of persons desiring liberation; saranam--the shelter; tava--Your; pada-mulam--lotus feet; vismaryate--can be forgotten; krta-vida--by a learned person; katham--how; arta-bandho--O friend of the distressed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O my master, Lord Brahma is fully surrendered unto You. In the beginning You gave him knowledge, and thus he could see and understand the entire universe, just as a person awakens from sleep and visualizes his immediate duties. You are the only shelter of all persons who desire liberation, and You are the friend of all who are distressed. How, therefore, can a learned person who has perfect knowledge ever forget You?

> > *******

> > TEXT 9

> > nunam vimusta-matayas tava mayaya te

> > ye tvam bhavapyaya-vimoksanam anya-hetoh

> > arcanti kaipaka-tarum kunapopabhogyam

> > icchanti yat sparsajam niraye 'pi nrnam

> > nunam--certainly; vimusta-matayah--those who have lost their right intelligence; tava--Your; mayaya--by the influence of the illusory energy; te--they; ye--who; tvam--You; bhava--from birth; apyaya--and death; vimoksanam--the cause of liberation; anya-hetoh--for other purposes; arcanti--worship; kalpaka-tarum--who are like the desire tree; kunapa--of this dead body; upabhogyam--sense gratification; icchanti--they desire; yat--that which; sparsa jam--derived by touch sensation; niraye--in hell; api--even; nrnam--for persons.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Persons who worship You simply for the sense gratification of this bag of skin are certainly influenced by Your illusory energy. In spite of having You, who are like a desire tree and are the cause of liberation from birth and death, foolish persons, such as me, desire benedictions from You for sense gratification, which is available even for those who live in hellish conditions.

> > *******

> > TEXT 10

> > ya nirvrtis tanu-bhrtam tava pada-padma-

> > dhyanad bhavaj jana-katha-sravanena va syat

> > sa brahmani sva-mahimany api natha ma bhut

> > kim tv antakasi-lulitat patatam vimanat

> > ya--that which; nirvrtih--bliss; tanu-bhrtam--of the embodied; tava--Your; pada-padma--lotus feet; dhyanat--from meditating upon; bhavat jana--from Your intimate devotees; katha--topics; sravanena--by hearing; va--or; syat--comes into being; sa--that bliss; brahmani--in the impersonal Brahman; sva-mahimani--Your own magnificence; api--even; natha--O Lord; ma--never; bhut--exists; kim--what to speak of; tu--then; antaka-asi--by the sword of death; lulitat--being destroyed; patatam--of those who fall down; vimanat--from their airplanes.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, the transcendental bliss derived from meditating upon Your lotus feet or hearing about Your glories from pure devotees is so unlimited that it is far beyond the stage of brahmananda, wherein one thinks himself merged in the impersonal Brahman as one with the Supreme. Since brahmananda is also defeated by the transcendental bliss derived from devotional service, then what to speak of the temporary blissfulness of elevating oneself to the heavenly planets, which is ended by the separating sword of time? Although one may be elevated to the heavenly planets, he falls down in due course of time.

> > *******

> > TEXT 11

> > bhaktim muhuh pravahatam tvayi me prasango

> > bhuyad ananta mahatam amalasayanam

> > yenanjasolbanam uru-vyasanam bhavabdhim

> > nesye bhavad-guna-kathamrta-pana-mattah

> > bhaktim--devotional service; muhuh--constantly; pravahatam--of those who perform; tvayi--unto You; me--my; prasangah--intimate association; bhuyat--may it become; ananta--O unlimited; mahatam--of the great devotees; amala-asayanam--whose hearts are freed from material contamination; yena--by which; anjasa--easily; ulbanam--terrible; uru--great; vyasanam--full of dangers; bhava-abdhim--the ocean of material existence; nesye--I shall cross; bhavat--Your; guna--transcendental qualities; katha--pastimes; amrta--nectar, eternal; pana--by drinking; mattah--mad.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dhruva Maharaja continued: O unlimited Lord, kindly bless me so that I may associate with great devotees who engage in Your transcendental loving service constantly, as the waves of a river constantly flow. Such transcendental devotees are completely situated in an uncontaminated state of life. By the process of devotional service I shall surely be able to cross the nescient ocean of material existence, which is filled with the waves of blazing, firelike dangers. It will be very easy for me, for I am becoming mad to hear about Your transcendental qualities and pastimes, which are eternally existent.

> > *******

> > TEXT 12

> > te na smaranty atitaram priyam isa martyam

> > ye canv adah suta-suhrd-grha-vitta-darah

> > ye tv abja-nabha bhavadiya-padaravinda-

> > saugandhya-lubdha-hrdayesu krta-prasangah

> > te--they; na--never; smaranti--remember; atitaram--highly; priyam--dear; isa--O Lord; martyam--material body; ye--they who; ca--also; anu--in relationship with; adah--that; suta--sons; suhrt--friends; grha--home; vitta--wealth; darah--and wife; ye--those who; tu--then; abja-nabha--O Lord who have a lotus navel; bhavadiya--of Your; pada-aravinda--lotus feet; saugandhya--the fragrance; lubdha--have achieved; hrdayesu--with devotees whose hearts; krta-prasangah--have association.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Lord who have a lotus navel, if a person happens to associate with a devotee whose heart always hankers after Your lotus feet, seeking always their fragrance, he is never attached to the material body or, in a bodily relationship, to offspring, friends, home, wealth and wife, which are very, very dear to materialistic persons. Indeed, he does not care for them.

> > *******

> > TEXT 13

> > tiryan-naga-dvija-sarisrpa-deva-daitya-

> > martyadibhih paricitam sad-asad-visesam

> > rupam sthavistham aja te mahad-ady-anekam

> > natah param parama vedmi na yatra vadah

> > tiryak--by animals; naga--trees; dvija--birds; sarisrpa--reptiles; deva--demigods; daitya--demons; martya-adibhih--by men, etc.; paricitam--pervaded; sat-asat-visesam--with varieties manifest and unmanifest; rupam--form; sthavistham--gross universal; aja--O Unborn; te--Your; mahat-adi--caused by the total material energy, etc.; anekam--various causes; na--not; atah--from this; param--transcendental; parama--O Supreme; vedmi--I know; na--not; yatra--where; vadah--various arguments.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Lord, O Supreme Unborn, I know that the different varieties of living entities, such as animals, trees, birds, reptiles, demigods and human beings, are spread throughout the universe, which is caused by the total material energy, and I know that they are sometimes manifest and sometimes unmanifest; but I have never experienced the supreme form I behold as I see You now. Now all kinds of methods of theorizing have come to an end.

> > *******

> > TEXT 14

> > kalpanta etad akhilam jatharena grhnan

> > sete puman sva-drg ananta-sakhas tad-anke

> > yan-nabhi-sindhu-ruha-kancana-loka-padma-

> > garbhe dyuman bhagavate pranato 'smi tasmai

> > kaipa-ante--at the end of the millennium; etat--this universe; akhilam--all; jatharena--within the belly; grhnan--withdrawing; sete--lies down; puman--the Supreme Person; sva-drk--looking upon Himself; ananta--the unlimited being Sesa; sakhah--accompanied by; tat-anke--on His lap; yat--from whose; nabhi--navel; sindhu--ocean; ruha--sprouted; kancana--golden; loka--planet; padma--of the lotus; garbhe--on the whorl; dyuman--Lord Brahma; bhagavate--unto the Supreme personality of Godhead; pranatah--offering obeisances; asmi--I am; tasmai--unto Him.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Lord, at the end of each millennium the Supreme Personality of Godhead Garbhodakasayi Visnu dissolves everything manifested within the universe into His belly. He lies down on the lap of Sesa Naga, from His navel sprouts a golden lotus flower on a stem, and on that lotus Lord Brahma is created. I can understand that You are the same Supreme Godhead. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

> > *******

> > TEXT 15

> > tvam nitya-mukta-parisuddha-vibuddha atma

> > kuta-stha adi-puruso bhagavams try-adhisah

> > yad-buddhy-avasthitim akhanditaya sva-drstya

> > drasta sthitav adhimakho vyatirikta asse

> > tvam--You; nitya--eternally; mukta--liberated; parisuddha--uncontaminated; vibuddhah--full of knowledge; atma--the Supreme Soul; kuta-sthah--changeless; adi--original; purusah--person; bhagavan--the Lord, full with six opulences; tri-adhisah--master of the three modes; yat--whence; buddhi--of intellectual activities; avasthitim--all stages; akhanditaya--unbroken; sva-drstya--by transcendental vision; drasta--You witness; sthitau--for maintaining (the universe); adhimakhah--enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices; vyatiriktah--differently; asse--You are situated.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, by Your unbroken transcendental glance You are the supreme witness of all stages of intellectual activities. You are eternally liberated, Your existence is situated in pure goodness, and You are existent in the Supersoul without change. You are the original Personality of Godhead, full with six opulences, and You are eternally the master of the three modes of material nature. Thus, You are always different from the ordinary living entities. As Lord Visnu, You maintain all the affairs of the entire universe, and yet You stand aloof and are the enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices.

> > *******

> > TEXT 16

> > yasmin viruddha-gatayo hy anisam patanti

> > vidyadayo vividha-saktaya anupurvyat

> > tad brahma visva-bhavam ekam anantam adyam

> > ananda-matram avikaram aham prapadye

> > yasmin--in whom; viruddha-gatayah--of opposite character; hi--certainly; anisam--always; patanti--are manifest; vidya-adayah--knowledge and ignorance, etc.; vividha--various; saktayah--energies; anupurvyat--continually; tat--that; brahma--Brahman; visva-bhavam--the cause of material creation; ekam--one; anantam--unlimited; adyam--original; ananda-matram--simply blissful; avikaram--changeless; aham--I; prapadye--offer my obeisances.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Lord, in Your impersonal manifestation of Brahman there are always two opposing elements--knowledge and ignorance. Your multienergies are continually manifest, but the impersonal Brahman, which is undivided, original, changeless, unlimited and blissful, is the cause of the material manifestation. Because You are the same impersonal Brahman, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

> > *******

> > TEXT 17

> > satyasiso hi bhagavams tava pada-padmam

> > asis tathanubhajatah purusartha-murteh

> > apy evam arya bhagavan paripati dinan

> > vasreva vatsakam anugraha-kataro 'sman

> > satya--real; asisah--compared with other benedictions; hi--certainly; bhagavan--my Lord; tava--Your; pada-padmam--lotus feet; asih--benediction; tatha--in that way; anubhajatah--for the devotees; purusa-artha--of the real goal of life; murteh--the personification; api--although; evam--thus; arya--O Lord; bhagavan--the Personality of Godhead; paripati--maintains; dinan--the poor in heart; vasra--a cow; iva--like; vatsakam--unto the calf; anugraha--to bestow mercy; katarah--eager; asman--upon me.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, O Supreme Lord, You are the supreme personified form of all benediction. Therefore, for one who abides in Your devotional service with no other desire, worshiping Your lotus feet is better than becoming king and lording it over a kingdom. That is the benediction of worshiping Your lotus feet. To ignorant devotees like me, You are the causelessly merciful maintainer, just like a cow, who takes care of the newly born calf by supplying milk and giving it protection from attack.

> > *******

> > TEXT 18

> > maitreya uvaca

> > athabhistuta evam vai

> > sat-sankalpena dhimata

> > bhrtyanurakto bhagavan

> > pratinandyedam abravit

> > maitreyah uvaca--Maitreya said; atha--then; abhistutah--being worshiped; evam--thus; vai--certainly; sat-sankalpena--by Dhruva Maharaja, who had only good desires in his heart; dhi-mata--because he was very intelligent; bhrtya-anuraktah--very favorably disposed towards devotees; bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; pratinandya--having congratulated him; idam--this; abravit--said.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, when Dhruva Maharaja, who had good intentions in his heart, finished his prayer, the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead, who is very kind to His devotees and servants, congratulated him, speaking as follows.

> > *******

> > TEXT 19

> > sri-bhagavan uvaca

> > vedaham te vyavasitam

> > hrdi rajanya-balaka

> > tat prayacchami bhadram te

> > durapam api suvrata

> > sri-bhagavan uvaca--the Personality of Godhead said; veda--know; aham--I; te--your; vyavasitam--determination; hrdi--witbin the heart; rajanya-balaka--O son of the King; tat--that; prayacchami--I shall give you; bhadram--all good fortune; te--unto you; durapam--although it is very difficult to obtain; api--in spite of; su-vrata--one who has taken a pious vow.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Personality of Godhead said: My dear Dhruva, son of the King, you have executed pious vows, and I also know the desire within your heart. Although your desire is very ambitious and very difficult to fulfill, I shall favor you with its fulfillment. All good fortune unto you.

> > *******

> > TEXT 20-21

> > nanyair adhisthitam bhadra

> > yad bhrajisnu dhruva-ksiti

> > yatra graharksa-taranam

> > jyotisam cakram ahitam

> > medhyam go-cakravat sthasnu

> > parastat kalpa-vasinam

> > dharmo 'gnih kasyapah sukro

> > munayo ye vanaukasah

> > caranti daksini-krtya

> > bhramanto yat satarakah

> > na--never; anyaih--by others; adhisthitam--was ruled; bhadra--My good boy; yat--which; bhrajisnu--brightly glowing; dhruva-ksiti--the land known as Dhruvaloka; yatra--where; graha--planets; rksa--constellations; taranam--and stars; jyotisam--by luminaries; cakram--encirclement; ahitam--is done;

> > medhyam--around a central pole; go--of bulls; cakra--a multitude; vat--like; sthasnu--stationary; parastat--beyond; kaipa--a day of Brahma (millennium); vasinam--those who live; dharmah--Dharma; agnih--Agni; kasyapah--Kasyapa; sukrah--Sukra; munayah--great sages; ye--all of them who; vana-okasah--living in the forest; caranti--move; daksini-krtya--keeping it to their right; bhramantah--circumambulating; yat--which planet; satarakah--with all the stars.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead continued: My dear Dhruva, I shall award you the glowing planet known as the polestar, which will continue to exist even after the dissolution at the end of the millennium. No one has ever ruled this planet, which is surrounded by all the solar systems, planets and stars. All the luminaries in the sky circumambulate this planet, just as bulls tread around a central pole for the purpose of crushing grains. Keeping the polestar to their right, all the stars inhabited by the great sages like Dharma, Agni, Kasyapa and Sukra circumambulate this planet, which continues to exist even after the dissolution of all others.

> > *******

> > TEXT 22

> > prasthite tu vanam pitra

> > dattva gam dharma-samsrayah

> > sat-trimsad-varsa-sahasram

> > raksitavyahatendriyah

> > pmsthite--after departure; tu--but; vanam--to the forest; pitra--by your father; dattva--awarding; gam--the whole world; dharma-samsrayah--under the protection of piety; sat-trimsat--thirty-six; varsa--years; sahasram--one thousand; raksita--you will rule; avyahata--without decay; indriyah--the power of the senses.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After your father goes to the forest and awards you the rule of his kingdom, you will rule continuously the entire world for thirty-six thousand years, and all your senses will continue to be as strong as they are now. You will never become old.

> > *******

> > TEXT 23

> > tvad-bhratary uttame naste

> > mrgayayam tu tan-manah

> > anvesanti vanam mata

> > davagnim sa praveksyati

> > tvat--your; bhratari--brother; uttame--Uttama; mste--being killed; mrgayayam--in hunting; tu--then; tat-manah--being too afflicted; anvesanti--while searching out; vanam--in the forest; mata--the mother; dava-agnim--in the forest fire; sa--she; praveksyati--will enter.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Lord continued: Sometime in the future your brother, Uttama, will go hunting in the forest, and while absorbed in hunting, he will be killed. Your stepmother, Suruci, being maddened upon the death of her son, will go to search him out in the forest, but she will be devoured by a forest fire.

> > *******

> > TEXT 24

> > istva mam yajna-hrdayam

> > yajnaih puskala-daksinaih

> > bhuktva cehasisah satya

> > ante mam samsmansyasi

> > istva--after worshiping; mam--Me; yajna-hrdayam--the heart of all sacrifices; yajnaih--by great sacrifices; puskala-daksinaih--comprehending distribution of great charities; bhuktva--after enjoying; ca--also; iha--within this world; asisah--blessings; satyah--true; ante--at the end; mam--Me; samsmarisyasi--you will be able to remember.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Lord continued: I am the heart of all sacrifices. You will be able to perform many great sacrifices and also give great charities. In this way you will be able to enjoy the blessings of material happiness in this life, and at the time of your death you will be able to remember Me.

> > *******

> > TEXT 25

> > tato gantasi mat-sthanam

> > sarva-loka-namaskrtam

> > uparistad rsibhyas tvam

> > yato navartate gatah

> > tatah--thereafter; ganta asi--you will go; mat-sthanam--to My abode; sarva-loka--by all planetary systems; namah-krtam--offered obeisances; uparistat--situated higher; rsibhyah--than the planetary systems of the rsis; tvam--you; yatah--wherefrom; na--never; avartate--will come back; gatah--having gone there.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Personality of Godhead continued: My dear Dhruva, after your material life in this body, you will go to My planet, which is always offered obeisances by the residents of all other planetary systems. It is situated above the planets of the seven rsis, and having gone there you will never have to come back again to this material world.

> > *******

> > TEXT 26

> > maitreya uvaca

> > ity arcitah sa bhagavan

> > atidisyatmanah padam

> > balasya pasyato dhama

> > svam agad garuda-dhvajah

> > maitreyah uvaca--the great sage Maitreya continued to speak; iti--thus; arcitah--being honored and worshiped; sah--the Supreme Lord; bhagavan--the Personality of Godhead; atidisya--after offering; atmanah--His personal; padam--residence; balasya--while the boy; pasyatah--was looking on; dhama--to His abode; svam--own; agat--He returned; garuda-dhvajah--Lord Visnu, whose flag bears the emblem of Garuda.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Maitreya said: After being worshiped and honored by the boy, Dhruva Maharaja, and after offering him His abode, Lord Visnu, on the back of Garuda, returned to His abode, as Dhruva Maharaja looked on.

> > *******

> > TEXT 27

> > so 'pi sankalpajam visnoh

> > pada-sevopasaditam

> > prapya sankalpa-nirvanam

> > natiprito 'bhyagat puram

> > sah--he (Dhruva Maharaja); api--although; sankalpa jam--the desired result; visnoh--of Lord Visnu; pada-seva--by serving the lotus feet; upasaditam--obtained; prapya--having achieved; sankalpa--of his determination; nirvanam--the satisfaction; na--not; atipritah--very much pleased; abhyagat--he returned; puram--to his home.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Despite having achieved the desired result of his determination by worshiping the lotus feet of the Lord, Dhruva Maharaja was not very pleased. Thus he returned to his home.

> > *******

> > TEXT 28

> > vidura uvaca

> > sudurlabham yat paramam padam harer

> > mayavinas tac-caranarcanarjitam

> > labdhvapy asiddhartham ivaika janmana

> > katham svam atmanam amanyatartha-vit

> > vidurah uvaca--Vidura continued to inquire; sudurlabham--very rare; yat--that which; paramam--is the supreme; padam--situation; hareh--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; maya-vinah--very affectionate; tat--His; carana--lotus feet; arcana--by worshiping; arjitam--achieved; labdhva--having attained; api--although; asiddha-artham--not fulfilled; iva--as if; eka janmana--in the duration of one life; katham--why; svam--own; atmanam--heart; amanyata--he felt; artha-vit--being very wise.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sri Vidura inquired: My dear brahmana, the abode of the Lord is very difficult to attain. It can be attained only by pure devotional service, which alone pleases the most affectionate, merciful Lord. Dhruva Maharaja achieved this position even in one life, and he was very wise and conscientious. Why, then, was he not very pleased?

> > *******

> > TEXT 29

> > maitreya uvaca

> > matuh sapatnya vag-banair

> > hrdi viddhas tu tan smaran

> > naicchan mukti-pater muktim

> > tasmat tapam upeyivan

> > maitreyah uvaca--the great sage Maitreya replied; matuh--of his mother; sa-patnyah--of the co-wife; vak-banaih--by the arrows of harsh words; hrdi--in the heart; viddhah--pierced; tu--then; tan--all of them; smaran--remembering; na--not; aicchat--desired; mukti-pateh--from the Lord, whose lotus feet give liberation; muktim--salvation; tasmat--therefore; tapam--grief; upeyivan--he suffered.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Maitreya answered: Dhruva Maharaja's heart, which was pierced by the arrows of the harsh words of his stepmother, was greatly aggrieved, and thus when he fixed upon his goal of life he did not forget her misbehavior. He did not demand actual liberation from this material world, but at the end of his devotional service, when the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared before him, he was simply ashamed of the material demands he had in his mind.

> > *******

> > TEXT 30

> > dhruva uvaca

> > samadhina naika-bhavena yat padam

> > viduh sanandadiya urdhva-retasah

> > masair aham sadbhir amusya padayos

> > chayam upetyapagatah prthan-matih

> > dhruvah uvaca--Dhruva Maharaja said; samadhina--by practicing yoga in trance; na--never; eka-bhavena--by one birth; yat--which; padam--position; viduh--understood; sananda-adayah--the four brahmacaris headed by Sanandana; urdhva-retasah--infallible celibates; masaih--within months; aham--I; sadbhih--six; amusya--of Him; padayoh--of the lotus feet; chayam--shelter; upetya--achieving; apagatah--fell down; prthak-matih--my mind fixed on things other than the Lord.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dhruva Maharaja thought to himself: To endeavor to be situated in the shade of the lotus feet of the Lord is not an ordinary task because even the great brahmacaris headed by Sanandana, who practiced astanga-yoga in trance, attained the shelter of the Lord's lotus feet only after many, many births. Within six months I achieved the same result, yet due to my thinking differently from the Lord, I fell down from my position.

> > *******

> > TEXT 31

> > aho bata mamanatmyam

> > manda-bhagyasya pasyata

> > bhava-cchidah pada-mulam

> > gatva yace yad antavat

> > aho--oh; bata--alas; mama--my; anatmyam--bodily consciousness; manda-bhagyasya--of the unfortunate; pasyata--just see; bhava--material existence; chidah--of the Lord, who can cut off; pada-mulam--the lotus feet; gatva--having approached; yace--I prayed for; yat--that which; anta-vat--perishable.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Alas, just look at me! I am so unfortunate. I approached the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can immediately cut the chain of the repetition of birth and death, but still, out of my foolishness, I prayed for things which are perishable.

> > *******

> > TEXT 32

> > matir vidusita devaih

> > patadbhir asahisnubhih

> > yo narada-vacas tathyam

> > nagrahisam asattamah

> > matih--intelligence; vidusita--contaminated; devaih--by the demigods; patadbhih--who will fall down; asahisnubhih--intolerant; yah--I who; narada--of the great sage Narada; vacah--of the instructions; tathyam--the truth; na--not; agrahisam--could accept; asat-tamah--the most wretched.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Since all the demigods who are situated in the higher planetary system will have to come down again, they are all envious of my being elevated to Vaikunthaloka by devotional service. These intolerant demigods have dissipated my intelligence, and only for this reason could I not accept the genuine benediction of the instructions of Sage Narada.

> > *******

> > TEXT 33

> > daivim mayam upasritya

> > prasupta iva bhinna-drk

> > tapye dvitiye 'py asati

> > bhratr-bhratrvya-hrd-ruja

> > daivim--of the Personality of Godhead; mayam--the illusory energy; upasritya--taking shelter of; prasuptah--dreaming while asleep; iva--like; bhinna-drk--having separated vision; tapye--I lamented; dvitiye--in the illusory energy; api--although; asati--temporary; bhratr--brother; bhratrvya--enemy; hrt--within the heart; ruja--by lamentation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dhruva Maharaja lamented: I was under the influence of the illusory energy; being ignorant of the actual facts, I was sleeping on her lap. Under a vision of duality, I saw my brother as my enemy, and falsely I lamented within my heart, thinking, "They are my enemies."

> > *******

> > TEXT 34

> > mayaitat prarthitam vyartham

> > cikitseva gatayusi

> > prasadya jagad-atmanam

> > tapasa dusp rasadanam

> > bhava-cchidam ayace 'ham

> > bhavam bhagya-vivarjitah

> > maya--by me; etat--this; prarthitam--prayed for; vyartham--uselessly; cikitsa--treatment; iva--like; gata--has ended; ayusi--for one whose life; prasadya--after satisfying; jagat-atmanam--the soul of the universe; tapasa--by austerity; dusprasadanam--who is very difficult to satisfy; bhava-chidam--the Personality of Godhead, who can cut the chain of birth and death; ayace--prayed for; aham--I; bhavam--repetition of birth and death; bhagya--fortune; vivarjitah--being without.

> > TRANSLATION

> > It is very difficult to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but in my case, although I have satisfied the Supersoul of the whole universe, I have prayed only for useless things. My activities were exactly like treatment given to a person who is already dead. Just see how unfortunate I am, for in spite of meeting the Supreme Lord, who can cut one's link with birth and death, I have prayed for the same conditions again.

> > *******

> > TEXT 35

> > svarajyam yacchato maudhyan

> > mano me bhiksito bata

> > isva rat ksina-punyena

> > phali-karan ivadhanah

> > svarajyam--His devotional service; yacchatah--from the Lord, who was willing to offer; maudhyat--by foolishness; manah--material prosperity; me--by me; bhiksitah--was asked for; bata--alas; isvarat--from a great emperor; ksina--reduced; punyena--whose pious activities; phali-karan--broken particles of husked rice; iva--like; adhanah--a poor man.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Because of my state of complete foolishness and paucity of pious activities, although the Lord offered me His personal service, I wanted material name, fame and prosperity. My case is just like that of the poor man who, when he satisfied a great emperor who wanted to give him anything he might ask, out of ignorance asked only a few broken grains of husked rice.

> > *******

> > TEXT 36

> > maitreya uvaca

> > na vai mukundasya padaravindayo

> > rajo jusas tata bhavadrsa janah

> > vanchanti tad-dasyam rte 'rtham atmano

> > yadrcchaya labdha-manah-samrddhayah

> > maitreyah uvaca--the great sage Maitreya continued; na--never; vai--certainly; mukundasya--of the Lord, who can give liberation; pada-aravindayoh--of the lotus feet; rajah jusah--persons who are eager to taste the dust; tata--my dear Vidura; bhavadrsah--like yourself; janah--persons; vanchanti--desire; tat--His; dasyam--servitorship; rte--without; artham--interest; atmanah--for themselves; yadrcchaya--automatically; labdha--by what is achieved; manah-samrddhayah--considering themselves very rich.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, persons like you, who are pure devotees of the lotus feet of Mukunda [the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can offer liberation] and who are always attached to the honey of His lotus feet, are always satisfied in serving at the lotus feet of the Lord. In any condition of life, such persons remain satisfied, and thus they never ask the Lord for material prosperity.

> > *******

> > TEXT 37

> > akarnyatma jam ayantam

> > samparetya yathagatam

> > raja na sraddadhe bhadram

> > abhadrasya kuto mama

> > akarnya--having heard; atma jam--his son; ayantam--coming back; samparetya--after dying; yatha--as if; agatam--coming back; raja--King Uttanapada; na--did not; sraddadhe--have any confidence; bhadram--good fortune; abhadrasya--of the impious; kutah--whence; mama--my.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When King Uttanapada heard that his son Dhruva was coming back home, as if coming back to life after death, he could not put his faith in this message, for he was doubtful of how it could happen. He considered himself the most wretched, and therefore he thought that it was not possible for him to attain such good fortune.

> > *******

> > TEXT 38

> > sraddhaya vakyam devarser

> > harsa-vegena dharsitah

> > varta-hartur atiprito

> > haram pradan maha-dhanam

> > sraddhaya--keeping faith; vakyam--in the words; devarseh--of the great sage Narada; harsa-vegena--by great satisfaction; dharsitah--overwhelmed; varta-hartuh--with the messenger who brought the news; atipritah--being very satisfied; haram--a pearl necklace; pradat--offered; maha-dhanam--very valuable.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although he could not believe the words of the messenger, he had full faith in the word of the great sage Narada. Thus he was greatly overwhelmed by the news, and he immediately offered the messenger a highly valuable necklace in great satisfaction.

> > *******

> > TEXT 39-40

> > sad-asvam ratham aruhya

> > kartasvara-pariskrtam

> > brahmanaih kula-vrddhais ca

> > paryasto 'matya-bandhubhih

> > sankha-dundu bhi-nadena

> > brahma-ghosena venubhih

> > niscakrama purat turnam

> > atmajabhiksanotsukah

> > sat-asvam--drawn by very fine horses; ratham--chariot; aruhya--getting on; kartasvara-pamskrtam--bedecked with golden filigree; brahmanaih--with brahmanas; kula-vrddhaih--along with elderly personalities of the family; ca--also; paryastah--being surrounded; amatya--by officers and ministers; bandhubhih--and friends; s

> > ankha--of conchshells; dundubhi--and kettledrums; nadena--with the sound; brahma-ghosena--by the chanting of Vedic mantras; venubhih--by flutes; niscakrama--he came out; purat--from the city; turnam--with great haste; atmaja--son; abhiksana--to see; utsukah--very eager.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Then King Uttanapada, being very eager to see the face of his lost son, mounted a chariot drawn by excellent horses and bedecked with golden filigree. Taking with him many learned brahmanas, all the elderly personalities of his family, his officers, his ministers and his immediate friends, he immediately left the city. As he proceeded in this parade, there were auspicious sounds of conchshells, kettledrums, flutes, and the chanting of Vedic mantras to indicate all good fortune.

> > *******

> > TEXT 41

> > sunitih surucis casya

> > mahisyau rukma-bhusite

> > aruhya sibikam sardham

> > uttamenabhijagmatuh

> > sunitih--Queen Suniti; surucih--Queen Suruci; ca--also; asya--of the King; mahisyau--queens; rukma-bhusite--being decorated with golden ornaments; aruhya--getting on; sibikam--a palanquin; sardham--along with; uttamena--the King's other son, Uttama; abhijagmatuh--all proceeded along.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Both the queens of King Uttanapada, namely Suniti and Suruci, along with his other son, Uttama, appeared in the procession. The queens were seated on a palanquin.

> > *******

> > TEXT 42-43

> > tam drstvopavanabhyasa

> > ayantam tarasa rathat

> > avaruhya nrpas turnam

> > asadya prema-vihvalah

> > parirebhe 'ngajam dorbhyam

> > dirghotkantha-manah svasan

> > visvaksenangh ri-samsparsa-

> > hatasesagha-bandhanam

> > tam--him (Dhruva Maharaja); drstva--having seen; upavana--the small forest; abhyase--near; ayantam--returning; tarasa--with great haste; rathat--from the chariot; avaruhya--got down; nrpah--the King; turnam--immediately; asadya--coming near; prema--with love; vihvalah--overwhelmed;

> > parirebhe--he embraced; anga jam--his son; dorbhyam--with his arms; dirgha--for a long time; utkantha--anxious; manah--the King, whose mind; svasan--breathing heavily; visvaksena--of the Lord; anghri--by the lotus feet; samsparsa--being touched; hata--were destroyed; asesa--unlimited; agha--material contamination; bandhanam--whose bondage.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Upon seeing Dhruva Maharaja approaching the neighboring small forest, King Uttanapada with great haste got down from his chariot. He had been very anxious for a long time to see his son Dhruva, and therefore with great love and affection he went forward to embrace his long-lost boy. Breathing very heavily, the King embraced him with both arms. But Dhruva Maharaja was not the same as before; he was completely sanctified by spiritual advancement due to having been touched by the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > *******

> > TEXT 44

> > athajighran muhur murdhni

> > sitair nayana-varibhih

> > snapayam asa tanayam

> > jatoddama-manorathah

> > atha--thereupon; ajighran--smelling; muhuh--again and again; murdhni--on the head; sitaih--cold; nayana--of his eyes; varibhih--with the water; snapayam asa--he bathed; tanayam--son; jata--fulfilled; uddama--great; manah-rathah--his desire.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Reunion with Dhruva Maharaja fulfilled King Uttanapada's long-cherished desire, and for this reason he smelled Dhruva's head again and again and bathed him with torrents of very cold tears.

> > *******

> > TEXT 45

> > abhivandya pituh padav

> > asirbhis cabhimantritah

> > nanama matarau sirsna-

> > sat-krtah saj janagranih

> > abhivandya--worshiping; pituh--of his father; padau--the feet; asirbhih--with benedictions; ca--and; abhimantritah--was addressed; nanama--he bowed; matarau--to his two mothers; sirsna--with his head; sat-krtah--was honored; sat jana--of the nobles; agranih--the foremost.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Then Dhruva Maharaja, the foremost of all nobles, first of all offered his obeisances at the feet of his father and was honored by his father with various questions. He then bowed his head at the feet of his two mothers.

> > *******

> > TEXT 46

> > surucis tam samutthapya

> > padavanatam arbhakam

> > parisvajyaha jiveti

> > baspa-gadgadaya gira

> > surucih--Queen Suruci; tam--him; samutthapya--having picked up; pada-avanatam--fallen at her feet; arbhakam--the innocent boy; pamsvajya--embracing; aha--she said; jiva--may you live long; iti--thus; baspa--with tears; gadgadaya--choked up; gira--with words.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Suruci, the younger mother of Dhruva Maharaja, seeing that the innocent boy had fallen at her feet, immediately picked him up, embracing him with her hands, and with tears of feeling she blessed him with the words, "My dear boy, long may you live!"

> > *******

> > TEXT 47

> > yasya prasanno bhagavan

> > gunair maitry-adibhir harih

> > tasmai namanti bhutani

> > nimnam apa iva svayam

> > yasya--anyone with whom; prasannah--is pleased; bhagavan--the Personality of Godhead; gunaih--by qualities; maitri-adibhih--by friendship, etc.; harih--Lord Hari; tasmai--unto him; namanti--offer respect; bhutani--all living entities; nimnam--to low ground; apah--water; iva--just as; svayam--automatically.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Unto one who has transcendental qualities due to friendly behavior with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all living entities offer honor, just as water automatically flows down by nature.

> > *******

> > TEXT 48

> > uttamas ca dhruvas cobhav

> > anyonyam prema-vihvalau

> > anga-sangad utpulakav

> > asraugham muhur uhatuh

> > uttamah ca--also Uttama; dhruvah ca--Dhruva also; ubhau--both; anyonyam--one another; prema-vihvalau--being overwhelmed with affection; anga-sangat--by embracing; utpulakau--their hair stood up; asra--of tears; ogham--torrents; muhuh--again and again; uhatuh--they exchanged.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The two brothers Uttama and Dhruva Maharaja also exchanged their tears. They were overwhelmed by the ecstasy of love and affection, and when they embraced one another, the hair on their bodies stood up.

> > *******

> > TEXT 49

> > sunitir asya janani

> > pranebhyo 'pi priyam sutam

> > upaguhya jahav adhim

> > tad-anga-sparsa-nirvrta

> > sunitih--Suniti, the real mother of Dhruva Maharaja; asya--his; janani--mother; pranebhyah--more than life air; api--even; priyam--dear; sutam--son; upaguhya--embracing; jahau--gave up; adhim--all grief; tat-anga--his body; sparsa--touching; nirvrta--being satisfied.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Suniti, the real mother of Dhruva Maharaja, embraced the tender body of her son, who was dearer to her than her own life, and thus forgot all material grief, for she was very pleased.

> > *******

> > TEXT 50

> > payah stanabhyam susrava

> > netra jaih salilaih sivaih

> > tadabhis icyamanabhyam

> > vira vira-suvo muhuh

> > payah--milk; stanabhyam--from both breasts; susrava--began to flow down; netra jaih--from the eyes; salilaih--by tears; sivaih--auspicious; tada--at that time; abhis icyamanabhyam--being wetted; vira--my dear Vidura; vira-suvah--of the mother who gave birth to a hero; muhuh--constantly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Vidura, Suniti was the mother of a great hero. Her tears, together with the milk flowing from her breasts, wet the whole body of Dhruva Maharaja. This was a great, auspicious sign.

> > *******

> > TEXT 51

> > tam sasamsur jana rajnim

> > distya te putra arti-ha

> > pratilabdhas ciram nasto

> > raksita mandalam bhuvah

> > tam--unto Queen Suniti; sasamsuh--offered praise; janah--the people in general; rajnim--unto the Queen; distya--by fortune; te--your; putrah--son; arti-ha--will vanquish all your pains; pratilabdhah--now returned; ciram--since a long time; nastah--lost; raksita--will protect; mandalam--the globe; bhuvah--earthly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The residents of the palace praised the Queen: Dear Queen, your beloved son was lost a long time ago, and it is your great fortune that he now has come back. It appears, therefore, that your son will be able to protect you for a very long time and will put an end to all your material pangs.

> > *******

> > TEXT 52

> > abhyarcitas tvaya nunam

> > bhagavan pranatarti-ha

> > yad-anudhyayino dhira

> > mrtyum jigyuh sudurjayam

> > abhyarcitah--worshiped; tvaya--by you; nunam--however; bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; pranata-arti-ha--who can deliver His devotees from the greatest danger; yat--whom; anudhyayinah--constantly meditating upon; dhirah--great saintly persons; mrtyum--death; jigyuh--conquered; sudurjayam--which is very, very difficult to overcome.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dear Queen, you must have worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who delivers His devotees from the greatest danger. Persons who constantly meditate upon Him surpass the course of birth and death. This perfection is very difficult to achieve.

> > *******

> > TEXT 53

> > lalyamanam janair evam

> > dhruvam sabhrataram nrpah

> > aropya karinim hrstah

> > stuyamano 'visat puram

> > lalyamanam--being thus praised; janaih--by the people in general; evam--thus; dhruvam--Maharaja Dhruva; sa-bhrataram--with his brother; nrpah--the King; aropya--placing; karinim--on the back of a she-elephant; hrstah--being so pleased; stuyamanah--and being so praised; avisat--returned; puram--to his capital.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, when everyone was thus praising Dhruva Maharaja, the King was very happy, and he had Dhruva and his brother seated on the back of a she-elephant. Thus he returned to his capital, where he was praised by all classes of men.

> > *******

> > TEXT 54

> > tatra tatropasanklptair

> > lasan-makara-toranaih

> > savrndaih kadali-stambhaih

> > puga-potais ca tad-vidhaih

> > tatra tatra--here and there; upasanklptaih--set up; lasat--brilliant; makara--shark-shaped; toranaih--with arched gateways; sa-vrndaih--with bunches of fruits and flowers; kadali--of banana trees; stambhaih--with columns; puga-potaih--with young betel nut trees; ca--also; tat-vidhaih--of that kind.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The whole city was decorated with columns of banana trees containing bunches of fruits and flowers, and betel nut trees with leaves and branches were seen here and there. There were also many gates set up which were structured to give the appearance of sharks.

> > *******

> > TEXT 55

> > cuta-pallava-vasah-sran-

> > mukta-dama-vilambibhih

> > upaskrtam prati-dvaram

> > apam kumbhaih sadipakaih

> > cuta-palava--with mango leaves; vasah--cloth; srak--flower garlands; mukta-dama--strings of pearls; vilambibhih--hanging; upaskrtam--decorated; prati-dvaram--at every gate; apam--full of water; kumbhaih--with waterpots; sa-dipakaih--with burning lamps.

> > TRANSLATION

> > At each and every gate there were burning lamps and big waterpots decorated with differently colored cloth, strings of pearls, flower garlands and hanging mango leaves.

> > *******

> > TEXT 56

> > prakarair gopuragaraih

> > satakumbha-paricchadaih

> > sarvato 'lankrtam srimad-

> > vimana-sikhara-dyubhih

> > prakaraih--with surrounding walls; gopura--city gates; agaraih--with houses; satakumbha--golden; paricchadaih--with ornamental work; sarvatah--on all sides; alankrtam--decorated; srimat--valuable, beautiful; vimana--airplanes; sikhara--domes; dyubhih--glittering.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the capital city there were many palaces, city gates and surrounding walls, which were already very, very beautiful, and on this occasion all of them were decorated with golden ornaments. The domes of the city palaces glittered, as did the domes of the beautiful airplanes which hovered over the city.

> > *******

> > TEXT 57

> > mrsta-catvara-rathyatta-

> > margam candana-carcitam

> > lajaksataih puspa-phalais

> > tandulair balibhir yutam

> > mrsta--fully cleansed; catvara--quadrangles; rathya--highways; atta--raised sitting places; margam--lanes; candana--with sandalwood; carcitam--sprinkled; laja--with fried rice; aksataih--and barley; puspa--with flowers; phalaih--and fruits; tandulaih--with rice; balibhih--auspicious presentations; yutam--provided with.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All the quadrangles, lanes and streets in the city, and the raised sitting places at the crossings, were thoroughly cleansed and sprinkled with sandalwood water; and auspicious grains such as rice and barley, and flowers, fruits and many other auspicious presentations were scattered all over the city.

> > *******

> > TEXT 58-59

> > dhruvaya pathi drstaya

> > tatra tatra pura-striyah

> > siddharthaksata-dadhy-ambu-

> > durva-puspa-phalani ca

> > upajahruh prayunjana

> > vatsalyad asisah satih

> > srnvams tad-valgu-gitani

> > pravisad bhavanam pituh

> > dhruvaya--on Dhruva; pathi--on the road; drstaya--seen; tatra tatra--here and there; pura-striyah--household ladies; siddhartha--white mustard seed; aksata--barley; dadhi--curd; ambu--water; durva--newly grown grass; puspa--flowers; phalani--fruits; ca--also;

> > upajahruh--they showered; prayunjanah--uttering; vatsalyat--out of affection; asisah--blessings; satih--gentle ladies; srnvan--hearing; tat--their; valgu--very pleasing; gitani--songs; pravisat--he entered; bhavanam--the palace; pituh--of his father.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus as Dhruva Maharaja passed on the road, from every place in the neighborhood all the gentle household ladies assembled to see him, and out of maternal affection they offered their blessings, showering him with white mustard seed, barley, curd, water, newly grown grass, fruits and flowers. In this way Dhruva Maharaja, while hearing the pleasing songs sung by the ladies, entered the palace of his father.

> > *******

> > TEXT 60

> > mahamani-vratamaye

> > sa tasmin bhavanottame

> > lalito nitaram pitra

> > nyavasad divi devavat

> > maha-mani--greatly valuable jewels; vrata--groups of; maye--bedecked with; sah--he (Dhruva Maharaja); tasmin--in that; bhavana-uttame--brilliant house; lalitah--being raised; nitaram--always; pitra--by the father; nyavasat--lived there; divi--in the higher planetary systems; deva-vat--like the demigods.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dhruva Maharaja thereafter lived in his father's palace, which had walls bedecked with highly valuable jewels. His affectionate father took particular care of him, and he dwelled in that house just as the demigods live in their palaces in the higher planetary systems.

> > *******

> > TEXT 61

> > payah-phena-nibhah sayya

> > danta rukma-paricchadah

> > asanani maharhani

> > yatra raukma upaskarah

> > payah--milk; phena--foam; nibhah--like; sayyah--bedding; dantah--made of ivory; rukma--golden; paricchadah--with embellishments; asanani--sitting places; maha-arhani--very valuable; yatra--where; raukmah--golden; upaskarah--furniture.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The bedding in the palace was as white as the foam of milk and was very soft. The bedsteads were made of ivory with embellishments of gold, and the chairs, benches and other sitting places and furniture were made of gold.

> > *******

> > TEXT 62

> > yatra sphatika-kudyesu

> > maha-marakatesu ca

> > mani-pradipa abhanti

> > lalana-ratna-samyutah

> > yatra--where; sphatika--made of marble; kudyesu--on walls; maha-marakatesu--bedecked with valuable jewels like sapphires; ca--also; mani-pradipah--lamps made of jewels; abhanti--shone; lalana--female figures; ratna--made of jewels; samyutah--held by.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The palace of the King was surrounded by walls made of marble with many engravings made of valuable jewels like sapphires, which depicted beautiful women with shining jewel lamps in their hands.

> > *******

> > TEXT 63

> > udyanani ca ramyani

> > vicitrair amara-drumaih

> > kuja-dvihanga-mithunair

> > gayan-matta-madhuvrataih

> > udyanani--gardens; ca--also; ramyani--very beautiful; vicitraih--various; amara-drumaih--with trees brought from the heavenly planets; kuja--singing; dvihanga--of birds; mithunaih--with pairs; gayat--humming; matta--mad; madhu-vrataih--with bumblebees.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The King's residence was surrounded by gardens wherein there were varieties of trees brought from the heavenly planets. In those trees there were pairs of sweetly singing birds and almost-mad bumblebees, which made a very relishable buzzing sound.

> > *******

> > TEXT 64

> > vapyo vaidurya-sopanah

> > padmotpa la-kumud-vatih

> > hamsa-karandava-kulair

> > justas cakrahva-sarasaih

> > vapyah--lakes; vaidurya--emerald; sopanah--with staircases; padma--lotuses; utpala--blue lotuses; kumut-vatih--full of lilies; hamsa--swans; karandava--and ducks; kulaih--by flocks of; justah--inhabited; cakrahva--by cakravakas (geese); sarasaih--and by cranes.

> > TRANSLATION

> > There were emerald staircases which led to lakes full of variously colored lotus flowers and lilies, and swans, karandavas, cakravakas, cranes and similar other valuable birds were visible in those lakes.

> > *******

> > TEXT 65

> > uttanapado rajarsih

> > prabhavam tanayasya tam

> > srutva drstvadbhutatamam

> > prapede vismayam param

> > uttanapadah--King Uttanapada; raja-rsih--great saintly king; prabhavam--influence; tanayasya--of his son; tam--that; srutva--hearing; drstva--seeing; adbhuta--wonderful; tamam--in the superlative degree; prapede--happily felt; vismayam--wonder; param--supreme.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The saintly King Uttanapada, hearing of the glorious deeds of Dhruva Maharaja and personally seeing also how influential and great he was, felt very satisfied, for Dhruva's activities were wonderful to the supreme degree.

> > *******

> > TEXT 66

> > viksyodha-vayasam tam ca

> > prakrtinam ca sammatam

> > anurakta-prajam raja

> > dhruvam cakre bhuvah patim

> > viksya--after seeing; udha-vayasam--mature in age; tam--Dhruva; ca--and; prakrtinam--by the ministers; ca--also; sammatam--approved of; anurakta--beloved; prajam--by his subjects; raja--the King; dhruvam--Dhruva Maharaja; cakre--made; bhuvah--of the earth; patim--master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When, after concentration, King Uttanapada saw that Dhruva Maharaja was suitably mature to take charge of the kingdom and that his ministers were agreeable and the citizens were also very fond of him, he enthroned Dhruva as emperor of this planet.

> > *******

> > TEXT 67

> > atmanam ca pravayasam

> > akalayya visampatih

> > vanam viraktah pratisthad

> > vimrsann atmano gatim

> > atmanam--himself; ca--also; pravayasam--advanced in age; akalayya--considering; visampatih--King Uttanapada; vanam--to the forest; viraktah--detached; pratisthat--departed; vimrsan--deliberating on; atmanah--of the self; gatim--salvation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After considering his advanced age and deliberating on the welfare of his spiritual self, King Uttanapada detached himself from worldly affairs and entered the forest.

> > Back to the running text