> > 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 Twelve: Dhruva Maharaja Goes Back to Godhead

> > ********

> > TEXT 1

> > maitreya uvaca dhruvam nivrttam pratibuddhya vaisasad

> > apeta-manyum bhagavan dhanesvarah

> > tatragatas carana-yaksa-kinnaraih

> > samstuyamano nyavadat krtanjalim

> > maitreyah uvaca--Maitreya said; dhruvam--Dhruva Maharaja; nivrttam--ceased; pratibuddhya--having learned; vaisasat--from killing; apeta--subsided; manyum--anger; bhagavan--Kuvera; dhana-isvarah--master of the treasury; tatra--there; agatah--appeared; carana--by the Caranas; yaksa--Yaksas; kinnaraih--and by the Kinnaras; samstuyamanah--being worshiped; nyavadat--spoke; krta-anjalim--to Dhruva with folded hands.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Maitreya said: My dear Vidura, Dhruva Maharaja's anger subsided, and he completely ceased killing Yaksas. When Kuvera, the most blessed master of the treasury, learned this news, he appeared before Dhruva. While being worshiped by Yaksas, Kinnaras and Caranas, he spoke to Dhruva Maharaja, who stood before him with folded hands.

> > ********

> > TEXT 2

> > dhanada uvaca

> > bho bhoh ksatriya-dayada

> > paritusto 'smi te 'nagha

> > yat tvam pitamahadesad

> > vairam dustyajam atyajah

> > dhana-dah uvaca--the master of the treasury (Kuvera) said; bhoh bhoh--O; ksatriya-dayada--O son of a ksatriya; paritustah--very glad; asmi--I am; te--with you; anagha--O sinless one; yat--because; tvam--you; pitamaha--of your grandfather; adesat--under the instruction; vairam--enmity; dustyajam--difficult to avoid; atyajah--have given up.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The master of the treasury, Kuvera, said: O sinless son of a ksatriya, I am very glad to know that under the instruction of your grandfather you have given up your enmity, although it is very difficult to avoid. I am very pleased with you.

> > ********

> > TEXT 3

> > na bhavan avadhid yaksan

> > na yaksa bhrataram tava

> > kala eva hi bhutanam

> > prabhur apyaya-bhavayoh

> > na--not; bhavan--you; avadhit--killed; yaksan--the Yaksas; na--not; yaksah--the Yaksas; bhrataram--brother; tava--your; kalah--time; eva--certainly; hi--for; bhutanam--of living entities; prabhuh--the Supreme Lord; apyaya-bhavayoh--of annihilation and generation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Actually, you have not killed the Yaksas, nor have they killed your brother, for the ultimate cause of generation and annihilation is the eternal time feature of the Supreme Lord.

> > ********

> > TEXT 4

> > aham tvam ity apartha dhir

> > ajnanat purusasya hi

> > svapnivabhaty atad-dhyanad

> > yaya bandha-viparyayau

> > aham--I; tvam--you; iti--thus; apartha--misconceived; dhih--intelligence; ajnanat--from ignorance; purusasya--of a person; hi--certainly; svapni--a dream; iva--like; abhati--appears; a-tat-dhyanat--from the bodily concept of life; yaya--by which; bandha--bondage; viparyayau--and misery.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Misidentification of oneself and others as "I" and "you" on the basis of the bodily concept of life is a product of ignorance. This bodily concept is the cause of repeated birth and death, and it makes us go on continuously in material existence.

> > ********

> > TEXT 5

> > tad gaccha dhruva bhadram te

> > bhagavantam adhoksajam

> > sarva-bhutatma-bhavena

> > sarva-bhutatma-vigraham

> > tat--therefore; gaccha--come; dhruva--Dhruva; bhadram--good fortune; te--unto you; bhagavantam--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; adhoksajam--who is beyond the concepts of material senses; sarva-bhuta--all living entities; atma-bhavena--by thinking of them as one; sarva-bhuta--in all living entities; atma--the Supersoul; vigraham--having form.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Dhruva, come forward. May the Lord always grace you with good fortune. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is beyond our sensory perception, is the Supersoul of all living entities, and thus all entities are one, without distinction. Begin, therefore, to render service unto the transcendental form of the Lord, who is the ultimate shelter of all living entities.

> > ********

> > TEXT 6

> > bhajasva bhajaniyanghrim

> > abhavaya bhava-cchidam

> > yuktam virahitam saktya

> > guna-mayyatma-mayaya

> > bhajasva--engage in devotional service; bhajaniya--worthy to be worshiped; anghrim--unto Him whose lotus feet; abhavaya--for deliverance from material existence; bhava-chidam--who cuts the knot of material entanglement; yuktam--attached; virahitam--aloof; saktya--to His potency; guna-mayya--consisting of the modes of material nature; atma-mayaya--by His inconceivable potency.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Engage yourself fully, therefore, in the devotional service of the Lord, for only He can deliver us from this entanglement of materialistic existence. Although the Lord is attached to His material potency, He is aloof from her activities. Everything in this material world is happening by the inconceivable potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > ********

> > TEXT 7

> > vrnihi kamam nrpa yan mano-gatam

> > mattas tvam auttanapade 'visankitah

> > varam vararho 'mbuja-nabha-padayor

> > anantaram tvam vayam anga susruma

> > vrnihi--please ask; kamam--desire; nrpa--O King; yat--whatever; manah-gatam--within your mind; mattah--from me; tvam--you; auttanapade--O son of Maharaja Uttanapada; avisankitah--without hesitation; varam--benediction; vara-arhah--worthy to take benedictions; ambuja--lotus flower; nabha--whose navel; padayoh--at His lotus feet; anantaram--constantly; tvam--about you; vayam--we; anga--dear Dhruva; susruma--have heard.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Dhruva Maharaja, son of Maharaja Uttanapada, we have heard that you are constantly engaged in transcendental loving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known for His lotus navel. You are therefore worthy to take all benedictions from us. Please, therefore, ask without hesitation whatever benediction you want from me.

> > ********

> > TEXT 8

> > maitreya uvaca

> > sa raja-rajena varaya codito

> > dhruvo maha-bhagavato maha-matih

> > harau sa vavre 'calitam smrtim yaya

> > taraty ayatnena duratyayam tamah

> > maitreyah uvaca--the great sage Maitreya said; sah--he; raja-rajena--by the king of kings (Kuvera); varaya--for a benediction; coditah--being asked; dhruvah--Dhruva Maharaja; maha-bhagavatah--a first-class pure devotee; maha-matih--most intelligent or thoughtful; harau--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sah--he; vavre--asked; acalitam--unflinching; smrtim--remembrance; yaya--by which; tarati--crosses over; ayatnena--without difficulty; duratyayam--unsurpassable; tamah--nescience.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, when thus asked to accept a benediction from Kuvera the Yaksaraja [King of the Yaksas], Dhruva Maharaja, that most elevated pure devotee, who was an intelligent and thoughtful king, begged that he might have unflinching faith in and remembrance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for thus a person can cross over the ocean of nescience very easily, although it is very difficult for others to cross.

> > ********

> > TEXT 9

> > tasya pritena manasa

> > tam dattvaidavidas tatah

> > pasyato 'ntardadhe so 'pi

> > sva-puram pratyapadyata

> > tasya--with Dhruva; pritena--being very pleased; manasa--with such a mentality; tam--that remembrance; dattva--having given; aidavidah--Kuvera, son of Idavida; tatah--thereafter; pasyatah--while Dhruva was looking on; antardadhe--disappeared; sah--he (Dhruva); api--also; sva-puram--to his city; pratyapadyata--returned.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The son of Idavida, Lord Kuvera, was very pleased, and happily he gave Dhruva Maharaja the benediction he wanted. Thereafter he disappeared from Dhruva's presence, and Dhruva Maharaja returned to his capital city.

> > ********

> > TEXT 10

> > athayajata yajnesam

> > kratubhir bhuri-daksinaih

> > dravya-kriya-devatanam

> > karma karma-phala-pradam

> > atha--thereafter; ayajata--he worshiped; yajna-isam--the master of sacrifices; kratubhih--by sacrificial ceremonies; bhuri--great; daksinaih--by charities; dravya-kriya-devatanam--of (sacrifices including various) paraphernalia, activities and demigods; karma--the objective; karma-phala--the result of activities; pradam--who awards.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As long as he remained at home, Dhruva Maharaja performed many great ceremonial sacrifices in order to please the enjoyer of all sacrifices, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Prescribed ceremonial sacrifices are especially meant to please Lord Visnu, who is the objective of all such sacrifices and who awards the resultant benedictions.

> > ********

> > TEXT 11

> > sarvatmany acyute 'sarve

> > tivraugham bhaktim udvahan

> > dadarsatmani bhutesu

> > tam evavasthitam vibhum

> > sarva-atmani--unto the Supersoul; acyute--infallible; asarve--without any limit; tivra-ogham--with unrelenting force; bhaktim--devotional service; udvahan--rendering; dadarsa--he saw; atmani--in the Supreme Spirit; bhutesu--in all living entities; tam--Him; eva--only; avasthitam--situated; vibhum--all-powerful.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dhruva Maharaja rendered devotional service unto the Supreme, the reservoir of everything, with unrelenting force. While carrying out his devotional service to the Lord, he could see that everything is situated in Him only and that He is situated in all living entities. The Lord is called Acyuta because He never fails in His prime duty, to give protection to His devotees.

> > ********

> > TEXT 12

> > tam evam sila-sampannam

> > brahmanyam dina-vatsalam

> > goptaram dharma-setunam

> > menire pitaram prajah

> > tam--him; evam--thus; sila--with godly qualities; sampannam--endowed; brahmanyam--respectful to the brahmanas; dina--to the poor; vatsalam--kind; goptaram--protector; dharma-setunam--of religious principles; menire--thought; pitaram--father; prajah--the citizens.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dhruva Maharaja was endowed with all godly qualities; he was very respectful to the devotees of the Supreme Lord and very kind to the poor and innocent, and he protected religious principles. With all these qualifications, he was considered to be the direct father of all the citizens.

> > ********

> > TEXT 13

> > sat-trimsad-yarsa-sahasram

> > sasasa ksiti-mandalam

> > bhogaih punya-ksayam kurvann

> > abhogair asubha-ksayam

> > sat-trimsat--thirty-six; varsa--years; sahasram--thousand; sasasa--ruled; ksiti-mandalam--the earth planet; bhogaih--by enjoyment; punya--of reactions of pious activities; ksayam--diminution; kurvan--doing; abhogaih--by austerities; asubha--of inauspicious reactions; ksayam--diminution.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dhruva Maharaja ruled over this planet for thirty-six thousand years; he diminished the reactions of pious activities by enjoyment, and by practicing austerities he diminished inauspicious reactions.

> > ********

> > TEXT 14

> > evam bahu-savam kalam

> > mahatmavicalendriyah

> > tri-vargaupayikam nitva

> > putrayadan nrpasanam

> > evam--thus; bahu--many; savam--years; kalam--time; maha-atma--great soul; avicala-indriyah--without being disturbed by sense agitation; tri-varga--three kinds of worldly activities; aupayikam--favorable for executing; nitva--having passed; putraya--to his son; adat--he handed over; nrpa-asanam--the royal throne.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The self-controlled great soul Dhruva Maharaja thus passed many, many years favorably executing three kinds of worldly activities, namely religiosity, economic development and satisfaction of all material desires. Thereafter he handed over the charge of the royal throne to his son.

> > ********

> > TEXT 15

> > manyamana idam visvam

> > maya-racitam atmani

> > avidya-racita-svapna-

> > gandharva-nagaropamam

> > manyamanah--realizing; idam--this; visvam--universe; maya--by the external energy; racitam--manufactured; atmani--unto the living entity; avidya--by illusion; racita--manufactured; svapna--a dream; gandharva-nagara--phantasmagoria; upamam--like.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Srila Dhruva Maharaja realized that this cosmic manifestation bewilders living entities like a dream or phantasmagoria because it is a creation of the illusory, external energy of the Supreme Lord.

> > ********

> > TEXT 16

> > atma-stry-apatya-suhrdo balam rddha-kosam

> > antah-puram parivihara-bhuvas ca ramyah

> > bhu-mandalam jaladhi-mekhalam akalayya

> > kalopasrstam iti sa prayayau visalam

> > atma--body; stri--wives; apatya--children; suhrdah--friends; balam--influence, army; rddha-kosam--rich treasury; antah-puram--female residential quarters; parivihara-bhuvah--pleasure-grounds; ca--and; ramyah--beautiful; bhu-mandalam--the complete earth; jala-dhi--by oceans; mekhalam--bound; akalayya--considering; kala--by time; upasrstam--created; iti--thus; sah--he; prayayau--went; visalam--to Badarikasrama.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus Dhruva Maharaja, at the end, left his kingdom, which extended all over the earth and was bounded by the great oceans. He considered his body, his wives, his children, his friends, his army, his rich treasury, his very comfortable palaces and his many enjoyable pleasure-grounds to be creations of the illusory energy. Thus in due course of time he retired to the forest in the Himalayas known as Badarikasrama.

> > ********

> > TEXT 17

> > tasyam visuddha-karanah siva-var vigahya

> > baddhvasanam jita-marun manasahrtaksah

> > sthule dadhara bhagavat-pratirupa etad dhyayams tad avyavahito vyasrjat samadhau

> > tasyam--in Badarikasrama; visuddha--purified; karanah--his senses; siva--pure; vah--water; vigahya--bathing in; baddhva--having fixed; asanam--sitting position; jita--controlled; marut--breathing process; manasa--by the mind; ahrta--withdrawn; aksah--his senses; sthule--physical; dadhara--he concentrated; bhagavat-pratirupe--on the exact form of the Lord; etat--the mind; dhyayan--meditating upon; tat--that; avyavahitah--without stopping; vyasrjat--he entered; samadhau--into trance.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In Badarikasrama Dhruva Maharaja's senses became completely purified because he bathed regularly in the crystal-clear purified water. He fixed his sitting position and by yogic practice controlled the breathing process and the air of life; in this way his senses were completely withdrawn. Then he concentrated his mind on the arca-vigraha form of the Lord, which is the exact replica of the Lord and, thus meditating upon Him, entered into complete trance.

> > ********

> > TEXT 18

> > bhaktim harau bhagavati pravahann ajasram

> > ananda-baspa-kalaya muhur ardyamanah

> > viklidyamana-hrdayah pulakacitango

> > natmanam asmarad asav iti mukta-lingah

> > bhaktim--devotional service; harau--unto Hari; bhagavati--the Supreme personality of Godhead; pravahan--constantly engaging in; ajasram--always; ananda--blissful; baspa-kalaya--by a stream of tears; muhuh--again and again; ardyamanah--being overcome; viklidyamana--melting; hrdayah--his heart; pulaka--standing of hairs; acita--covered; angah--his body; na--not; atmanam--body; asmarat--he remembered; asau--he; iti--thus; mukta-lingah--free from the subtle body.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Because of his transcendental bliss, incessant tears flowed from his eyes, his heart melted, and there was shivering and standing of the hairs all over his body. Thus transformed, in a trance of devotional service, Dhruva Maharaja completely forgot his bodily existence, and thus he immediately became liberated from material bondage.

> > ********

> > TEXT 19

> > sa dadarsa vimanagryam

> > nabhaso 'vatarad dhruvah

> > vibhrajayad dasa diso

> > rakapatim ivoditam

> > sah--he; dadarsa--saw; vimana--an airplane; agryam--very beautiful; nabhasah--from the sky; avatarat--descending; dhruvah--Dhruva Maharaja; vibhrajayat--illuminating; dasa--ten; disah--directions; raka-patim--the full moon; iva--like; uditam--visible.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As soon as the symptoms of his liberation were manifest, he saw a very beautiful airplane coming down from the sky, as if the brilliant full moon were coming down, illuminating all the ten directions.

> > ********

> > TEXT 20

> > tatranu deva-pravarau catur-bhujau

> > syamau kisorav arunambujeksanau

> > sthitav avastabhya gadam suvasasau

> > kirita-harangada-caru-kundalau

> > tatra--there; anu--then; deva-pravarau--two very beautiful demigods; catuh-bhujau--with four arms; syamau--blackish; kisorau--quite young; aruna--reddish; ambuja--lotus flower; iksanau--with eyes; sthitau--situated; avastabhya--holding; gadam--clubs; suvasasau--with nice garments; kirita--helmets; hara--necklaces; angada--bracelets; caru--beautiful; kundalau--with earrings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dhruva Maharaja saw two very beautiful associates of Lord Visnu in the plane. They had four hands and a blackish bodily luster, they were very youthful, and their eyes were just like reddish lotus flowers. They held clubs in their hands, and they were dressed in very attractive garments with helmets and were decorated with necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

> > ********

> > TEXT 21

> > vijnaya tav uttamagaya-kinkarav

> > abhyutthitah sadhvasa-vismrta-kramah

> > nanama namani grnan madhudvisah

> > parsat-pradhanav iti samhatanjalih

> > vijnaya--after understanding; tau--them; uttama-gaya--of Lord Visnu (of excellent renown); kinkarau--two servants; abhyutthitah--stood up; sadhvasa--by being puzzled; vismrta--forgot; kramah--proper behavior; nanama--offered obeisances; namani--names; grnan--chanting; madhu-dvisah--of the Lord (the enemy of Madhu); parsat--associates; pradhanau--chief; iti--thus; samhata--respectfully joined; anjalih--with folded hands.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dhruva Maharaja, seeing that these uncommon personalities were direct servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, immediately stood up. But, being puzzled, in hastiness he forgot how to receive them in the proper way. Therefore he simply offered obeisances with folded hands and chanted and glorified the holy names of the Lord.

> > ********

> > TEXT 22

> > tam krsna-padabhinivista-cetasam

> > baddhanjalim prasraya-namra-kandha ram

> > sunanda-nandav upasrtya sasmitam

> > pratyucatuh puskaranabha-sammatau

> > tam--him; krsna--of Lord Krsna; pada--of the lotus feet; abhinivista--absorbed in thought; cetasam--whose heart; baddha-anjalim--with folded hands; prasraya--very humbly; namra--bowed; kandharam--whose neck; sunanda--Sunanda; nandau--and Nanda; upasrtya--approaching; sa-smitam--smilingly; pratyucatuh--addressed; puskara-nabha--of Lord Visnu, who has a lotus navel; sammatau--confidential servants.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dhruva Maharaja was always absorbed in thinking of the lotus feet of Lord Krsna. His heart was full with Krsna. When the two confidential servants of the Supreme Lord, who were named Nanda and Sunanda, approached him, smiling happily, Dhruva stood with folded hands, bowing humbly. They then addressed him as follows.

> > ********

> > TEXT 23

> > sunanda-nandav ucatuh

> > bho bho rajan subhadram te

> > vacam no 'vahitah srnu

> > yah panca-varsas tapasa

> > bhavan devam atitrpat

> > sunanda-nandau ucatuh--Sunanda and Nanda said; bhoh bhoh rajan--O dear King; su-bhadram--good fortune; te--unto you; vacam--words; nah--our; avahitah--attentively; srnu--hear; yah--who; panca-varsah--five years old; tapasa--by austerity; bhavan--you; devam--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; atitrpat--greatly satisfied.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Nanda and Sunanda, the two confidential associates of Lord Visnu, said: Dear King, let there be all good fortune unto you. Please attentively hear what we shall say. When you were only five years old, you underwent severe austerities, and you thereby greatly satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > ********

> > TEXT 24

> > tasyakhila jagad-dhatur

> > avam devasya sarnginah

> > parsadav iha sampraptau

> > netum tvam bhagavat-padam

> > tasya--His; akhila--entire; jagat--universe; dhatuh--creator; avam--we; devasya--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sarnginah--who has the bow named Sarnga; parsadau--associates; iha--now; sampraptau--approached; netum--to take; tvam--you; bhagavat-padam--to the position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > TRANSLATION

> > We are representatives of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the creator of the whole universe, who carries in His hand the bow named Sarnga. We have been specifically deputed to take you to the spiritual world.

> > ********

> > TEXT 25

> > sudurjayam visnu-padam jitam tvaya

> > yat surayo 'prapya vicaksate param

> > atistha tac candra-divakaradayo

> > graharksa-tarah pariyanti daksinam

> > sudurjayam--very difficult to achieve; visnu-padam--planet known as Vaikunthaloka or Visnuloka; jitam--conquered; tvaya--by you; yat--which; surayah--great demigods; aprapya--without achieving; vicaksate--simply see; param--supreme; atistha--please come; tat--that; candra--the moon; diva-akara--sun; adayah--and others; graha--the nine planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto); rksa-tarah--stars; pariyanti--circumambulate; daksinam--to the right.

> > TRANSLATION

> > To achieve Visnuloka is very difficult, but by your austerity you have conquered. Even the great rsis and demigods cannot achieve this position. Simply to see the supreme abode [the Visnu planet], the sun and moon and all the other planets, stars, lunar mansions and solar systems are circumambulating it. Now please come; you are welcome to go there.

> > ********

> > TEXT 26

> > anasthitam te pitrbhir

> > anyair apy anga karhicit

> > atistha jagatam vandyam

> > tad visnoh paramam padam

> > anasthitam--never achieved; te--your; pitrbhih--by forefathers; anyaih--by others; api--even; anga--O Dhruva; karhicit--at any time; atistha--please come and live there; jagatam--by the inhabitants of the universe; vandyam--worshipable; tat--that; visnoh--of Lord Visnu; paramam--supreme; padam--situation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dear King Dhruva, neither your forefathers nor anyone else before you ever achieved such a transcendental planet. The planet known as Visnuloka, where Lord Visnu personally resides, is the highest of all. It is worshipable by the inhabitants of all other planets within the universe. Please come with us and live there eternally.

> > ********

> > TEXT 27

> > etad vimana-pravaram

> > uttamasloka-maulina

> > upasthapitam ayusmann

> > adhirodhum tvam arhasi

> > etat--this; vimana--airplane; pravaram--unique; uttamasloka--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; maulina--by the head of all living entities; upasthapitam--sent; ayusman--O immortal one; adhirodhum--to board; tvam--you; arhasi--are worthy.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O immortal one, this unique airplane has been sent by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is worshiped by selected prayers and who is the chief of all living entities. You are quite worthy to board such a plane.

> > ********

> > TEXT 28

> > maitreya uvaca

> > nisamya vaikuntha-niyojya-mukhyayor

> > madhu-cyutam vacam urukrama-priyah

> > krtabhisekah krta-nitya-mangalo

> > munin pranamyasisam abhyavadayat

> > maitreyah uvaca--the great sage Maitreya said; nisamya--after hearing; vaikuntha--of the Lord; niyojya--associates; mukhyayoh--of the chief; madhu-cyutam--like pouring honey; vacam--speeches; urukrama-priyah--Dhruva Maharaja, who was very dear to the Lord; krta-abhisekah--took his sacred bath; krta--performed; nitya-mangalah--his daily spiritual duties; munin--to the sages; pranamya--having offered obeisances; asisam--blessings; abhyavadayat--accepted.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Maitreya continued: Maharaja Dhruva was very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When he heard the sweet speeches of the Lord's chief associates in the Vaikuntha planet, he immediately took his sacred bath, dressed himself with suitable ornaments, and performed his daily spiritual duties. Thereafter he offered his respectful obeisances to the great sages present there and accepted their blessings.

> > ********

> > TEXT 29

> > parityabhyarcya dhis nyagryam

> > parsadav abhivandya ca

> > iyesa tad adhisthatum

> > bibhrad rupam hiranmayam

> > paritya--having circumambulated; abhyarcya--having worshiped; dhisnya-agryam--the transcendental airplane; parsadau--unto the two associates; abhivandya--having offered obeisances; ca--also; iyesa--he attempted; tat--that plane; adhisthatum--to board; bibhrat--illuminating; rupam--his form; hiranmayam--golden.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Before getting aboard, Dhruva Maharaja worshiped the airplane, circumambulated it, and also offered obeisances to the associates of Visnu. In the meantime he became as brilliant and illuminating as molten gold. He was thus completely prepared to board the transcendental plane.

> > ********

> > TEXT 30

> > tadottanapadah putro

> > dadarsantakam agatam

> > mrtyor murdhni padam dattva

> > arurohadbhutam grham

> > tada--then; uttanapadah--of King Uttanapada; putrah--son; dadarsa--could see; antakam--death personified; agatam--approached him; mrtyoh murdhni--on the head of death; padam--feet; dattva--placing; aruroha--got up; adbhutam--wonderful; grham--on the airplane which resembled a big house.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When Dhruva Maharaja was attempting to get on the transcendental plane, he saw death personified approach him. Not caring for death, however, he took advantage of the opportunity to put his feet on the head of death, and thus he got up on the airplane, which was as big as a house.

> > ********

> > TEXT 31

> > tada dundubhayo nedur

> > mrdanga-panavadayah

> > gandharva-mukhyah p rajaguh

> > petuh kusuma-vrstayah

> > tada--at that time; dundubhayah--kettledrums; neduh--resounded; mrdanga--drums; panava--small drums; adayah--etc.; gandhama-mukhyah--the chief residents of Gandharvaloka; prajaguh--sang; petuh--showered; kusuma--flowers; vrstayah--like rains.

> > TRANSLATION

> > At that time drums and kettledrums resounded from the sky, the chief Gandharvas began to sing and other demigods showered flowers like torrents of rain upon Dhruva Maharaja.

> > ********

> > TEXT 32

> > sa ca svarlokam aroksyan

> > sunitim jananim dhruvah

> > anvasmarad agam hitva

> > dinam yasye tri-vistapam

> > sah--he; ca--also; svah-lokam--to the celestial planet; aroksyan--about to ascend; sunitim--Suniti; jananim--mother; dhruvah--Dhruva Maharaja; anvasmarat--immediately remembered; agam--difficult to attain; hitva--leaving behind; dinam--poor; yasye--I shall go; tri-vistapam--to the Vaikuntha planet.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dhruva was seated in the transcendental airplane, which was just about to start, when he remembered his poor mother, Suniti. He thought to himself, "How shall I go alone to the Vaikuntha planet and leave behind my poor mother?"

> > ********

> > TEXT 33

> > iti vyavasitam tasya

> > vyavasaya surottamau

> > darsayam asatur devim

> > puro yanena gacchatim

> > iti--thus; vyavasitam--contemplation; tasya--of Dhruva; vyavasaya--understanding; sura-uttamau--the two chief associates; darsayam asatuh--showed (to him); devim--exalted Suniti; purah--before; yanena--by airplane; gacchatim--going forward.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great associates of Vaikunthaloka, Nanda and Sunanda, could understand the mind of Dhruva Maharaja, and thus they showed him that his mother, Suniti, was going forward in another plane.

> > ********

> > TEXT 34

> > tatra tatra prasamsadbhih

> > pathi vaimanikaih suraih

> > avakiryamano dadrse

> > kusumaih kramaso grahan

> > tatra tatra--here and there; prasamsadbhih--by persons engaged in the praise of Dhruva Maharaja; pathi--on the path; vaimanikaih--carried by different types of airplanes; suraih--by the demigods; avakiryamanah--being covered; dadrse--could see; kusumaih--by flowers; kramasah--one after another; grahan--all the planets of the solar system.

> > TRANSLATION

> > While Dhruva Maharaja was passing through space, he gradually saw all the planets of the solar system, and on the path he saw all the demigods in their airplanes showering flowers upon him like rain.

> > ********

> > TEXT 35

> > tri-lokim deva-yanena

> > so 'tivrajya munin api

> > parastad yad dhruva-gatir

> > visnoh padam athabhyagat

> > tri-lokim--the three planetary systems; deva-yanena--by the transcendental airplane; sah--Dhruva; ativrajya--having surpassed; munin--great sages; api--even; parastat--beyond; yat--which; dhruva-gatih--Dhruva, who attained permanent life; visnoh--of Lord Visnu; padam--abode; atha--then; abhyagat--achieved.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dhruva Maharaja thus surpassed the seven planetary systems of the great sages who are known as saptarsi. Beyond that region, he achieved the transcendental situation of permanent life in the planet where Lord Visnu lives.

> > ********

> > TEXT 36

> > yad bhrajamanam sva-rucaiva sarvato

> > lokas trayo hy anu vibhrajanta ete

> > yan navrajan jantusu ye 'nanugraha

> > vrajanti bhadrani caranti ye 'nisam

> > yat--which planet; bhrajamanam--illuminating; sva-ruca--by self-effulgence; eva--only; sarvatah--everywhere; lokah--planetary systems; trayah--three; hi--certainly; anu--thereupon; vibhrajante--give off light; ete--these; yat--which planet; na--not; avrajan--have reached; jantusu--to living entities; ye--those who; ananugrahah--not merciful; vrajanti--reach; bhadrani--welfare activities; caranti--engage in; ye--those who; anisam--constantly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The self-effulgent Vaikuntha planets, by whose illumination alone all the illuminating planets within this material world give off reflected light, cannot be reached by those who are not merciful to other living entities. Only persons who constantly engage in welfare activities for other living entities can reach the Vaikuntha planets.

> > ********

> > TEXT 37

> > santah sama-drsah suddhah

> > sarva-bhutanuranjanah

> > yanty anjasacyuta-padam

> > acyuta-p riya-bandhavah

> > santah--peaceful; sama-drsah--equipoised; suddhah--cleansed, purified; sarva--all; bhuta--living entities; anuranjanah--pleasing; yanti--go; anjasa--easily; acyuta--of the Lord; padam--to the abode; acyuta-priya--with devotees of the Lord; bandhavah--friends.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Persons who are peaceful, equipoised, cleansed and purified, and who know the art of pleasing all other living entities, keep friendship only with devotees of the Lord; they alone can very easily achieve the perfection of going back home, back to Godhead.

> > ********

> > TEXT 38

> > ity uttanapadah putro

> > dhruvah krsna-parayanah

> > abhut trayanam lokanam

> > cuda-manir ivamalah

> > iti--thus; uttanapadah--of Maharaja Uttanapada; putrah--the son; dhruvah--Dhruva Maharaja; krsna-parayanah--fully Krsna conscious; abhut--became; trayanam--of the three; lokanam--worlds; cuda-manih--the summit jewel; iva--like; amalah--purified.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In this way, the fully Krsna conscious Dhruva Maharaja, the exalted son of Maharaja Uttanapada, attained the summit of the three statuses of planetary systems.

> > ********

> > TEXT 39

> > gambhira-vego 'nimisam

> > jyotisam cakram ahitam

> > yasmin bhramati kauravya

> > medhyam iva gavam ganah

> > gambhira-vegah--with great force and speed; animisam--unceasingly; jyotisam--of luminaries; cakram--sphere; ahitam--connected; yasmin--around which; bhramati--encircles; kauravya--O Vidura; medhyam--a central pole; iva--as; gavam--of bulls; ganah--a herd.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Saint Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, descendant of Kuru, as a herd of bulls circumambulates a central pole on their right side, all the luminaries within the universal sky unceasingly circumambulate the abode of Dhruva Maharaja with great force and speed.

> > ********

> > TEXT 40

> > mahimanam vilokyasya

> > narado bhagavan rsih

> > atodyam vitudan slokan

> > satre 'gayat pracetasam

> > mahimanam--glories; vilokya--observing; asya--of Dhruva Maharaja; naradah--the great sage Narada; bhagavan--equally as exalted as the Supreme Personality of Godhead; rsih--the saint; atodyam--the stringed instrument, vina; vitudan--playing on; slokan--verses; satre--in the sacrificial arena; agayat--chanted; pracetasam--of the Pracetas.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After observing the glories of Dhruva Maharaja, the great sage Narada, playing his vina, went to the sacrificial arena of the Pracetas and very happily chanted the following three verses.

> > ********

> > TEXT 41

> > narada uvaca

> > nunam suniteh pati-devatayas

> > tapah-prabhavasya sutasya tam gatim

> > drstvabhyupayan api veda-vadino

> > naivadhigantum prabhavanti kim nrpah

> > naradah uvaca--Narada said; nunam--certainly; suniteh--of Suniti; pati-devatayah--very much attached to her husband; tapah-prabhavasya--by the influence of austerity; sutasya--of the son; tam--that; gatim--position; drstva--observing; abhyupayan--the means; api--although; veda-vadinah--strict followers of the Vedic principles, or the so-called Vedantists; na--never; eva--certainly; adhigantum--to attain; prabhavanti--are eligible; kim--what to speak of; nrpah--ordinary kings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Narada said: Simply by the influence of his spiritual advancement and powerful austerity, Dhruva Maharaja, the son of Suniti, who was devoted to her husband, acquired an exalted position not possible to attain even for the so-called Vedantists or strict followers of the Vedic principles, not to speak of ordinary human beings.

> > ********

> > TEXT 42

> > yah panca-varso guru-dara-vak-sarair

> > bhinnena yato hrdayena duyata

> > vanam mad-adesa-karo 'jitam prabhum

> > jigaya tad-bhakta-gunaih parajitam

> > yah--he who; panca-varsah--at the age of five years; guru-dara--of the wife of his father; vak-saraih--by the harsh words; bhinnena--being very much aggrieved; yatah--went; hrdayena--because his heart; duyata--very much pained; vanam--to the forest; mat-adesa--according to my instruction; karah--acting; ajitam--unconquerable; prabhum--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; jigaya--he defeated; tat--His; bhakta--of devotees; gunaih--with the qualities; parajitam--conquered.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Narada continued: Just see how Dhruva Maharaja, aggrieved at the harsh words of his stepmother, went to the forest at the age of only five years and under my direction underwent austerity. Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead is unconquerable, Dhruva Maharaja defeated Him with the specific qualifications possessed by the Lord's devotees.

> > ********

> > TEXT 43

> > yah ksatra-bandhur bhuvi tasyadhirudham

> > anv aruruksed api varsa-pugaih

> > sat-panca-varso yad ahobhir alpaih

> > prasadya vaikuntham avapa tat-padam

> > yah--one who; ksatra-bandhuh--the son of a ksatriya; bhuvi--on the earth; tasya--of Dhruva; adhirudham--the exalted position; anu--after; arurukset--can aspire to attain; api--even; varsa-pugaih--after many years; sat-panca-varsah--five or six years old; yat--which; ahobhih alpaih--after a few days; prasadya--after pleasing; vaikuntham--the Lord; avapa--attained; tat-padam--His abode.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dhruva Maharaja attained an exalted position at the age of only five or six years, after undergoing austerity for six months. Alas, a great ksatriya cannot achieve such a position even after undergoing austerities for many, many years.

> > ********

> > TEXT 44

> > maitreya uvaca

> > etat te 'bhihitam sarvam

> > yat prsto 'ham iha tvaya

> > dhruvasyoddama-yasasas

> > caritam sammatam satam

> > maitreyah uvaca--the great sage Maitreya said; etat--this; te--unto you; abhihitam--described; sarvam--everything; yat--what; prstah aham--I was asked; iha--here; tvaya--by you; dhruvasya--of Dhruva Maharaja; uddama--greatly uplifting; yasasah--whose reputation; caritam--character; sammatam--approved; satam--by great devotees.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, whatever you have asked from me about the great reputation and character of Dhruva Maharaja I have explained to you in all detail. Great saintly persons and devotees very much like to hear about Dhruva Maharaja.

> > ********

> > TEXT 45

> > dhanyam yasasyam ayusyam

> > punyam svasty-ayanam mahat

> > svargyam dhrauvyam saumanasyam

> > prasasyam agha-marsanam

> > dhanyam--bestowing wealth; yasasyam--bestowing reputation; ayusyam--increasing the duration of life; punyam--sacred; svasti-ayanam--creating auspiciousness; mahat--great; svargyam--bestowing achievement of heavenly planets; dhrauvyam--or Dhruvaloka; saumanasyam--pleasing to the mind; prasasyam--glorious; agha-marsanam--counteracting all kinds of sinful activities.

> > TRANSLATION

> > By hearing the narration of Dhruva Maharaja one can fulfill desires for wealth, reputation and increased duration of life. It is so auspicious that one can even go to a heavenly planet or attain Dhruvaloka, which was achieved by Dhruva Maharaja, just by hearing about him. The demigods also become pleased because this narration is so glorious, and it is so powerful that it can counteract all the results of one's sinful actions.

> > ********

> > TEXT 46

> > srutvaitac chraddhayabhiksnam

> > acyuta-priya-cestitam

> > bhaved bhaktir bhagavati

> > yaya syat klesa-sanksayah

> > srutva--by hearing; etat--this; sraddhaya--with faith; abhiksnam--repeatedly; acyuta--to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; priya--dear; cestitam--activities; bhavet--develops; bhaktih--devotion; bhagavati--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; yaya--by which; syat--must be; klesa--of miseries; sanksayah--complete diminution.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Anyone who hears the narration of Dhruva Maharaja, and who repeatedly tries with faith and devotion to understand his pure character, attains the pure devotional platform and executes pure devotional service. By such activities one can diminish the threefold miserable conditions of material life.

> > ********

> > TEXT 47

> > mahattvam icchatam tirtham

> > srotuh siladayo gunah

> > yatra tejas tad icchunam

> > mano yatra manasvinam

> > mahattvam--greatness; icchatam--for those desiring; tirtham--the process; srotuh--of the hearer; sila-adayah--high character, etc.; gunah--qualities; yatra--in which; tejah--prowess; tat--that; icchunam--for those who desire; manah--adoration; yatra--in which; manasvinam--for thoughtful men.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Anyone who hears this narration of Dhruva Maharaja acquires exalted qualities like him. For anyone who desires greatness, prowess or influence, here is the process by which to acquire them, and for thoughtful men who want adoration, here is the proper means.

> > ********

> > TEXT 48

> > prayatah kirtayet pratah

> > samavaye dvi janmanam

> > sayam ca punya-slokasya

> > dhruvasya caritam mahat

> > prayatah--with great care; kirtayet--one should chant; pratah--in the morning; samavaye--in the association; dvi janmanam--of the twice-born; sayam--in the evening; ca--also; punya-slokasya--of sacred renown; dhruvasya--of Dhruva; caritam--character; mahat--great.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Maitreya recommended: One should chant of the character and activities of Dhruva Maharaja both in the morning and in the evening, with great attention and care, in a society of brahmanas or other twice-born persons.

> > ********

> > TEXT 49-50

> > paurnamasyam sinivalyam

> > dvadasam sravane 'thava

> > dina-ksaye vyatipate

> > sankrame 'rkadine 'pi va

> > sravayec chraddadhananam

> > tirtha-pada-padasrayah

> > necchams tatratmanatmanam

> > santusta iti sidhyati

> > paurnamasyam--on the full moon; sinivalyam--on the dark moon; dvadasyam--on the day after Ekadasi; sravane--during the Sravana star's appearance; athava--or; dina-ksaye--at the end of the tithi; vyatipate--a particular day of the name; sankrame--at the end of the month; arkadine--on Sunday; api--also; va--or;

> > sravayet--one should recite; sraddadhananam--to a receptive audience; tirtha-pada--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; pada-asrayah--taken shelter of the lotus feet; na icchan--without desiring remuneration; tatra--there; atmana--by the self; atmanam--the mind; santustah--pacified; iti--thus; sidhyati--becomes perfect.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Persons who have completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord should recite this narration of Dhruva Maharaja without taking remuneration. Specifically, recitation is recommended on the full moon or dark moon day, on the day after Ekadasi, on the appearance of the Sravana star, at the end of a particular tithi, or the occasion of Vyatipata, at the end of the month, or on Sunday. Such recitation should of course be performed before a favorable audience. When recitation is performed this way, without professional motive, the reciter and audience become perfect.

> > ********

> > TEXT 51

> > jnanam ajnata-tattvaya

> > yo dadyat sat-pathe 'mrtam

> > krpalor dina-nathasya

> > devas tasyanugrhnate

> > jnanam--knowledge; ajnata-tattvaya--to those who are unaware of the truth; yah--one who; dadyat--imparts; sat-pathe--on the path of truth; amrtam--immortality; krpaloh--kind; dina-nathasya--protector of the poor; devah--the demigods; tasya--to him; anugrhnate--give blessings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The narration of Dhruva Maharaja is sublime knowledge for the attainment of immortality. Persons unaware of the Absolute Truth can be led to the path of truth. Those who out of transcendental kindness take on the responsibility of becoming master-protectors of the poor living entities automatically gain the interest and blessings of the demigods.

> > ********

> > TEXT 52

> > idam maya te 'bhihitam kurudvaha

> > dhruvasya vikhyata-visuddha-karmanah

> > hitvarbhakah kridanakani matur

> > grham ca visnum saranam yo jagama

> > idam--this; maya--by me; te--unto you; abhihitam--described; kuru-udvaha--O great one among the Kurus; dhruvasya--of Dhruva; vikhyata--very famous; visuddha--very pure; karmanah--whose activities; hitva--giving up; arbhakah--child; kridanakani--toys and playthings; matuh--of his mother; grham--home; ca--also; visnum--to Lord Visnu; saranam--shelter; yah--one who; jagama--went.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The transcendental activities of Dhruva Maharaja are well known all over the world, and they are very pure. In childhood Dhruva Maharaja rejected all kinds of toys and playthings, left the protection of his mother and seriously took shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu. My dear Vidura, I therefore conclude this narration, for I have described to you all its details.

> > Back to the running text