Dhruva Maharaja Leaves Home for the Forest

Verse 1 (bhagavata.4.8.1)

मैत्रेय उवाच सनकाद्या नारदश्च ऋभुर्हंसोऽरुणिर्यतिः । नैते गृहान् ब्रह्मसुता ह्यावसन्नूर्ध्वरेतसः ॥ १ ॥

maitreya uvāca sanakādyā nāradaś ca ṛbhur haṁso ’ruṇir yatiḥ naite gṛhān brahma-sutā hy āvasann ūrdhva-retasaḥ

Sri Maitreya said: Sanaka and his brothers, along with Narada, Ribhu, Hamsa, Aruni and Yati — these sons of Brahma, being celibate from birth, never took up household life.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.4.8.2)

मृषाधर्मस्य भार्यासीद्दम्भं मायां च शत्रुहन् । असूत मिथुनं तत्तु निऋर्तिर्जगृहेऽप्रजः ॥ २ ॥

mṛṣādharmasya bhāryāsīd dambhaṁ māyāṁ ca śatru-han asūta mithunaṁ tat tu nirṛtir jagṛhe ’prajaḥ

O slayer of enemies, the wife of Adharma (Irreligion) was named Mrisha (Falsehood); their union produced twin children, Dambha (Hypocrisy) and Maya (Deceit), whom the childless demon Nirriti took as his own.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.4.8.3)

तयोः समभवल्लोभो निकृतिश्च महामते । ताभ्यां क्रोधश्च हिंसा च यद्दुरुक्तिः स्वसा कलिः ॥ ३ ॥

tayoḥ samabhaval lobho nikṛtiś ca mahā-mate tābhyāṁ krodhaś ca hiṁsā ca yad duruktiḥ svasā kaliḥ

O great-souled one, from Dambha and Maya were born Lobha (Greed) and Nikriti (Cunning); and from their union came Krodha (Anger) and Himsa (Violence), whose children were Kali and his sister Durukti (Harsh Speech).

Verse 4 (bhagavata.4.8.4)

दुरुक्तौ कलिराधत्त भयं मृत्युं च सत्तम । तयोश्च मिथुनं जज्ञे यातना निरयस्तथा ॥ ४ ॥

duruktau kalir ādhatta bhayaṁ mṛtyuṁ ca sattama tayoś ca mithunaṁ jajñe yātanā nirayas tathā

O best among the virtuous, in Durukti, Kali begot Bhaya (Fear) and Mrityu (Death); and from their union were born the twin children Yatana (Torment) and Niraya (Hell).

Verse 5 (bhagavata.4.8.5)

सङ्ग्रहेण मयाख्यातः प्रतिसर्गस्तवानघ । त्रिः श्रुत्वैतत्पुमान् पुण्यं विधुनोत्यात्मनो मलम् ॥ ५ ॥

saṅgraheṇa mayākhyātaḥ pratisargas tavānagha triḥ śrutvaitat pumān puṇyaṁ vidhunoty ātmano malam

O sinless one, I have thus briefly related to you this secondary creation; one who hears it three times becomes purified and washes away the impurity of his own soul.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.4.8.6)

अथातः कीर्तये वंशं पुण्यकीर्तेः कुरूद्वह । स्वायम्भुवस्यापि मनोर्हरेरंशांशजन्मनः ॥ ६ ॥

athātaḥ kīrtaye vaṁśaṁ puṇya-kīrteḥ kurūdvaha svāyambhuvasyāpi manor harer aṁśāṁśa-janmanaḥ

O foremost of the Kurus, now I shall describe to you the dynasty of Svayambhuva, that Manu of pure renown, who was born of a part of a part of Bhagavan Hari.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.4.8.7)

प्रियव्रतोत्तानपादौ शतरूपापतेः सुतौ । वासुदेवस्य कलया रक्षायां जगतः स्थितौ ॥ ७ ॥

priyavratottānapādau śatarūpā-pateḥ sutau vāsudevasya kalayā rakṣāyāṁ jagataḥ sthitau

Priyavrata and Uttanapada, the two sons of the husband of Shatarupa (Manu), being themselves born of a portion of Bhagavan Vasudeva, were well established for the protection of the world.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.4.8.8)

जाये उत्तानपादस्य सुनीतिः सुरुचिस्तयोः । सुरुचिः प्रेयसी पत्युर्नेतरा यत्सुतो ध्रुवः ॥ ८ ॥

jāye uttānapādasya sunītiḥ surucis tayoḥ suruciḥ preyasī patyur netarā yat-suto dhruvaḥ

Uttanapada had two wives, Suniti and Suruchi. Of the two, Suruchi was dearer to her husband, while the other, whose son was Dhruva, was not.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.4.8.9)

एकदा सुरुचेः पुत्रमङ्कमारोप्य लालयन् । उत्तमं नारुरुक्षन्तं ध्रुवं राजाभ्यनन्दत ॥ ९ ॥

ekadā suruceḥ putram aṅkam āropya lālayan uttamaṁ nārurukṣantaṁ dhruvaṁ rājābhyanandata

One day, as the King fondly held Suruchi's son Uttama upon his lap, Dhruva too tried to climb up, but the King did not welcome him.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.4.8.10)

तथा चिकीर्षमाणं तं सपत्न्यास्तनयं ध्रुवम् । सुरुचिः शृण्वतो राज्ञः सेर्ष्यमाहातिगर्विता ॥ १० ॥

tathā cikīrṣamāṇaṁ taṁ sapatnyās tanayaṁ dhruvam suruciḥ śṛṇvato rājñaḥ serṣyam āhātigarvitā

Seeing Dhruva, the son of her co-wife, thus trying to climb up, Suruchi, filled with pride and jealousy, spoke harshly, loudly enough for the King himself to hear.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.4.8.11)

न वत्स नृपतेर्धिष्ण्यं भवानारोढुमर्हति । न गृहीतो मया यत्त्वं कुक्षावपि नृपात्मजः ॥ ११ ॥

na vatsa nṛpater dhiṣṇyaṁ bhavān āroḍhum arhati na gṛhīto mayā yat tvaṁ kukṣāv api nṛpātmajaḥ

[Suruchi said:] O child, you are not fit to climb upon the King's throne or seat, for though you are indeed a king's son, you were not carried in my womb.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.4.8.12)

बालोऽसि बत नात्मानमन्यस्त्रीगर्भसम्भृतम् । नूनं वेद भवान् यस्य दुर्लभेऽर्थे मनोरथः ॥ १२ ॥

bālo ’si bata nātmānam anya-strī-garbha-sambhṛtam nūnaṁ veda bhavān yasya durlabhe ’rthe manorathaḥ

Alas, you are but a child and do not know that you were carried in the womb of another woman; certainly this is why you cherish a desire so difficult to fulfill.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.4.8.13)

तपसाराध्य पुरुषं तस्यैवानुग्रहेण मे । गर्भे त्वं साधयात्मानं यदीच्छसि नृपासनम् ॥ १३ ॥

tapasārādhya puruṣaṁ tasyaivānugraheṇa me garbhe tvaṁ sādhayātmānaṁ yadīcchasi nṛpāsanam

If you truly desire the king's throne, then perform austerities to satisfy the Supreme Purusha, and only by his grace, being born again in my womb, can you accomplish your aim.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.4.8.14)

मैत्रेय उवाच मातुः सपत्न्याः स दुरुक्तिविद्धः श्वसन् रुषा दण्डहतो यथाहिः । हित्वा मिषन्तं पितरं सन्नवाचं जगाम मातुः प्ररुदन् सकाशम् ॥ १४ ॥

maitreya uvāca mātuḥ sapatnyāḥ sa durukti-viddhaḥ śvasan ruṣā daṇḍa-hato yathāhiḥ hitvā miṣantaṁ pitaraṁ sanna-vācaṁ jagāma mātuḥ prarudan sakāśam

Sri Maitreya said: Pierced by his stepmother's cruel words, and breathing heavily with anger like a snake struck by a stick, Dhruva, seeing his father merely watch in silence, left him and went weeping to his own mother.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.4.8.15)

तं निःश्वसन्तं स्फुरिताधरोष्ठं सुनीतिरुत्सङ्ग उदूह्य बालम् । निशम्य तत्पौरमुखान्नितान्तं सा विव्यथे यद्गदितं सपत्न्या ॥ १५ ॥

taṁ niḥśvasantaṁ sphuritādharoṣṭhaṁ sunītir utsaṅga udūhya bālam niśamya tat-paura-mukhān nitāntaṁ sā vivyathe yad gaditaṁ sapatnyā

Sunīti lifted her son onto her lap, seeing him sighing heavily, his lips trembling; and when she heard in full detail from the mouths of the palace attendants all that her co-wife had said, she too was deeply pained.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.4.8.16)

सोत्सृज्य धैर्यं विललाप शोक दावाग्निना दावलतेव बाला । वाक्यं सपत्न्याः स्मरती सरोज श्रिया दृशा बाष्पकलामुवाह ॥ १६ ॥

sotsṛjya dhairyaṁ vilalāpa śoka- dāvāgninā dāva-lateva bālā vākyaṁ sapatnyāḥ smaratī saroja- śriyā dṛśā bāṣpa-kalām uvāha

Losing all composure, that young woman lamented like a forest creeper scorched by wildfire, burning in the fire of grief; remembering her co-wife's words, tears filled her lotus-lovely eyes as she spoke.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.4.8.17)

दीर्घं श्वसन्ती वृजिनस्य पार- मपश्यती बालकमाह बाला । मामङ्गलं तात परेषु मंस्था भुङ्क्ते जनो यत्परदुःखदस्तत् ॥ १७ ॥

dīrghaṁ śvasantī vṛjinasya pāram apaśyatī bālakam āha bālā māmaṅgalaṁ tāta pareṣu maṁsthā bhuṅkte jano yat para-duḥkhadas tat

Sighing deeply, and seeing no end to this misfortune, the young mother said to her child: My dear son, never wish ill upon others, for whoever causes pain to another must himself experience that same pain.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.4.8.18)

सत्यं सुरुच्याभिहितं भवान्मे यद्दुर्भगाया उदरे गृहीतः । स्तन्येन वृद्धश्च विलज्जते यां भार्येति वा वोढुमिडस्पतिर्माम् ॥ १८ ॥

satyaṁ surucyābhihitaṁ bhavān me yad durbhagāyā udare gṛhītaḥ stanyena vṛddhaś ca vilajjate yāṁ bhāryeti vā voḍhum iḍaspatir mām

What Suruchi has said of you is true — you were carried in the womb, and grew up on the milk, of an unfortunate woman; for even Idaspati (your father) feels ashamed to acknowledge me as his wife.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.4.8.19)

आतिष्ठ तत्तात विमत्सरस्त्वम् उक्तं समात्रापि यदव्यलीकम् । आराधयाधोक्षजपादपद्मं यदीच्छसेऽध्यासनमुत्तमो यथा ॥ १९ ॥

ātiṣṭha tat tāta vimatsaras tvam uktaṁ samātrāpi yad avyalīkam ārādhayādhokṣaja-pāda-padmaṁ yadīcchase ’dhyāsanam uttamo yathā

Therefore, my dear son, set aside all envy and follow what even your own stepmother has truthfully said — worship the lotus feet of Adhokshaja (the Lord), if you truly wish to occupy a seat as exalted as Uttama's.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.4.8.20)

यस्याङ्घ्रि पद्मं परिचर्य विश्व विभावनायात्तगुणाभिपत्तेः । अजोऽध्यतिष्ठत्खलु पारमेष्ठ्यं पदं जितात्मश्वसनाभिवन्द्यम् ॥ २० ॥

yasyāṅghri-padmaṁ paricarya viśva- vibhāvanāyātta-guṇābhipatteḥ ajo ’dhyatiṣṭhat khalu pārameṣṭhyaṁ padaṁ jitātma-śvasanābhivandyam

By serving whose lotus feet, Aja (Brahma), attaining the qualities needed for creating the universe, came to occupy the supreme post that is worshiped even by those who have mastered their mind and breath through yoga —

Verse 21 (bhagavata.4.8.21)

तथा मनुर्वो भगवान् पितामहो यमेकमत्या पुरुदक्षिणैर्मखैः । इष्ट्वाभिपेदे दुरवापमन्यतो भौमं सुखं दिव्यमथापवर्ग्यम् ॥ २१ ॥

tathā manur vo bhagavān pitāmaho yam eka-matyā puru-dakṣiṇair makhaiḥ iṣṭvābhipede duravāpam anyato bhaumaṁ sukhaṁ divyam athāpavargyam

— and likewise, your grandfather, the illustrious Manu, worshiping that same Lord with unwavering devotion through sacrifices rich in gifts, obtained earthly happiness, heavenly bliss, and finally liberation itself — all of which are unattainable by any other means.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.4.8.22)

तमेव वत्साश्रय भृत्यवत्सलं मुमुक्षुभिर्मृग्यपदाब्जपद्धतिम् । अनन्यभावे निजधर्मभाविते मनस्यवस्थाप्य भजस्व पूरुषम् ॥ २२ ॥

tam eva vatsāśraya bhṛtya-vatsalaṁ mumukṣubhir mṛgya-padābja-paddhatim ananya-bhāve nija-dharma-bhāvite manasy avasthāpya bhajasva pūruṣam

O child, take shelter of that very Purusha, so affectionate to His servants, whose lotus feet are sought after by those who desire liberation; establish Him with single-minded devotion in your mind, purified by the performance of your own duty, and worship Him.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.4.8.23)

नान्यं ततः पद्मपलाशलोचनाद् दुःखच्छिदं ते मृगयामि कञ्चन । यो मृग्यते हस्तगृहीतपद्मया श्रियेतरैरङ्ग विमृग्यमाणया ॥ २३ ॥

nānyaṁ tataḥ padma-palāśa-locanād duḥkha-cchidaṁ te mṛgayāmi kañcana yo mṛgyate hasta-gṛhīta-padmayā śriyetarair aṅga vimṛgyamāṇayā

My son, apart from that lotus-eyed Lord, I can find no one else able to remove your sorrow — He whom even the goddess of fortune, lotus in hand, herself seeks out, and whom others too seek through her.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.4.8.24)

मैत्रेय उवाच एवं सञ्जल्पितं मातुराकर्ण्यार्थागमं वचः । सन्नियम्यात्मनात्मानं निश्चक्राम पितुः पुरात् ॥ २४ ॥

maitreya uvāca evaṁ sañjalpitaṁ mātur ākarṇyārthāgamaṁ vacaḥ sanniyamyātmanātmānaṁ niścakrāma pituḥ purāt

Sri Maitreya said: Having heard these meaningful words spoken by his mother, Dhruva, steadying himself with firm resolve, departed from his father's city.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.4.8.25)

नारदस्तदुपाकर्ण्य ज्ञात्वा तस्य चिकीर्षितम् । स्पृष्ट्वा मूर्धन्यघघ्नेन पाणिना प्राह विस्मितः ॥ २५ ॥

nāradas tad upākarṇya jñātvā tasya cikīrṣitam spṛṣṭvā mūrdhany agha-ghnena pāṇinā prāha vismitaḥ

Narada, hearing of this and understanding what the boy intended to do, was astonished; touching Dhruva's head with his own sin-destroying hand, he spoke to him.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.4.8.26)

अहो तेजः क्षत्रियाणां मानभङ्गममृष्यताम् । बालोऽप्ययं हृदा धत्ते यत्समातुरसद्वचः ॥ २६ ॥

aho tejaḥ kṣatriyāṇāṁ māna-bhaṅgam amṛṣyatām bālo ’py ayaṁ hṛdā dhatte yat samātur asad-vacaḥ

[Narada thought:] Ah, how great is the fiery pride of kshatriyas, who cannot tolerate even the slightest insult to their honor! Though only a child, this boy has taken so deeply to heart the harsh words of his stepmother.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.4.8.27)

नारद उवाच नाधुनाप्यवमानं ते सम्मानं वापि पुत्रक । लक्षयामः कुमारस्य सक्तस्य क्रीडनादिषु ॥ २७ ॥

nārada uvāca nādhunāpy avamānaṁ te sammānaṁ vāpi putraka lakṣayāmaḥ kumārasya saktasya krīḍanādiṣu

Narada said: My dear child, at your age, still attached to play and other childish things, we do not expect a boy to take such note of either insult or honor.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.4.8.28)

विकल्पे विद्यमानेऽपि न ह्यसन्तोषहेतवः । पुंसो मोहमृते भिन्ना यल्लोके निजकर्मभिः ॥ २८ ॥

vikalpe vidyamāne ’pi na hy asantoṣa-hetavaḥ puṁso moham ṛte bhinnā yal loke nija-karmabhiḥ

Though such distinctions may exist in the world, they are not truly a cause for discontent to any wise person except out of delusion — for it is by one's own past deeds that such varied conditions arise.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.4.8.29)

परितुष्येत्ततस्तात तावन्मात्रेण पूरुषः । दैवोपसादितं यावद्वीक्ष्येश्वरगतिं बुधः ॥ २९ ॥

parituṣyet tatas tāta tāvan-mātreṇa pūruṣaḥ daivopasāditaṁ yāvad vīkṣyeśvara-gatiṁ budhaḥ

Therefore, my dear child, a wise person, recognizing that whatever comes is arranged by providence, and understanding the ways of the Supreme Controller, should remain content with whatever comes his way, no more and no less.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.4.8.30)

अथ मात्रोपदिष्टेन योगेनावरुरुत्ससि । यत्प्रसादं स वै पुंसां दुराराध्यो मतो मम ॥ ३० ॥

atha mātropadiṣṭena yogenāvarurutsasi yat-prasādaṁ sa vai puṁsāṁ durārādhyo mato mama

Yet now, following the practice of yoga advised by your mother, you wish to attain the favor of Him who, in my view, is exceedingly difficult for ordinary men to satisfy.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.4.8.31)

मुनयः पदवीं यस्य निःसङ्गेनोरुजन्मभिः । न विदुर्मृगयन्तोऽपि तीव्रयोगसमाधिना ॥ ३१ ॥

munayaḥ padavīṁ yasya niḥsaṅgenoru-janmabhiḥ na vidur mṛgayanto ’pi tīvra-yoga-samādhinā

Even sages, unattached across many lifetimes, seeking after him through intense yogic trance, have often failed to find his path.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.4.8.32)

अतो निवर्ततामेष निर्बन्धस्तव निष्फलः । यतिष्यति भवान् काले श्रेयसां समुपस्थिते ॥ ३२ ॥

ato nivartatām eṣa nirbandhas tava niṣphalaḥ yatiṣyati bhavān kāle śreyasāṁ samupasthite

Therefore, give up this futile insistence; when the time is ripe, and the opportunity for such higher pursuits presents itself, you may make the attempt then.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.4.8.33)

यस्य यद्दैवविहितं स तेन सुखदुःखयोः । आत्मानं तोषयन्देही तमसः पारमृच्छति ॥ ३३ ॥

yasya yad daiva-vihitaṁ sa tena sukha-duḥkhayoḥ ātmānaṁ toṣayan dehī tamasaḥ pāram ṛcchati

A person who keeps himself content amid whatever happiness or sorrow providence allots to him crosses beyond the darkness of ignorance.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.4.8.34)

गुणाधिकान्मुदं लिप्सेदनुक्रोशं गुणाधमात् । मैत्रीं समानादन्विच्छेन्न तापैरभिभूयते ॥ ३४ ॥

guṇādhikān mudaṁ lipsed anukrośaṁ guṇādhamāt maitrīṁ samānād anvicchen na tāpair abhibhūyate

One should feel joy toward those more qualified than oneself, compassion toward those less qualified, and friendship toward one's equals; in this way one is never overwhelmed by the threefold miseries.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.4.8.35)

ध्रुव उवाच सोऽयं शमो भगवता सुखदुःखहतात्मनाम् । दर्शितः कृपया पुंसां दुर्दर्शोऽस्मद्विधैस्तु यः ॥ ३५ ॥

dhruva uvāca so ’yaṁ śamo bhagavatā sukha-duḥkha-hatātmanām darśitaḥ kṛpayā puṁsāṁ durdarśo ’smad-vidhais tu yaḥ

Dhruva said: This path of tranquility that you, O lord, have so kindly shown out of compassion, for those whose hearts are shaken by happiness and sorrow, is indeed a path very hard to attain for one such as myself.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.4.8.36)

अथापि मेऽविनीतस्य क्षात्त्रं घोरमुपेयुषः । सुरुच्या दुर्वचोबाणैर्न भिन्ने श्रयते हृदि ॥ ३६ ॥

athāpi me ’vinītasya kṣāttraṁ ghoram upeyuṣaḥ surucyā durvaco-bāṇair na bhinne śrayate hṛdi

Even so, my heart, wounded by the piercing arrows of Suruchi's harsh words and inclined, as a kshatriya's, toward fierce determination, remains unable to accept, undivided, your wise instruction — forgive my lack of humility in this.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.4.8.37)

पदं त्रिभुवनोत्कृष्टं जिगीषोः साधु वर्त्म मे । ब्रूह्यस्मत्पितृभिर्ब्रह्मन्नन्यैरप्यनधिष्ठितम् ॥ ३७ ॥

padaṁ tri-bhuvanotkṛṣṭaṁ jigīṣoḥ sādhu vartma me brūhy asmat-pitṛbhir brahmann anyair apy anadhiṣṭhitam

O brahmana, I desire to conquer a position more exalted than any within the three worlds — one never yet occupied even by my own father and forefathers, or by anyone else. Please tell me the true path to attain it.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.4.8.38)

नूनं भवान्भगवतो योऽङ्गजः परमेष्ठिनः । वितुदन्नटते वीणां हिताय जगतोऽर्कवत् ॥ ३८ ॥

nūnaṁ bhavān bhagavato yo ’ṅgajaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ vitudann aṭate vīṇāṁ hitāya jagato ’rkavat

You are surely a worthy son of the exalted Bhagavan Brahma, and you wander about, playing your vina, for the welfare of the world — like the sun that moves across the sky for the benefit of all.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.4.8.39)

मैत्रेय उवाच इत्युदाहृतमाकर्ण्य भगवान्नारदस्तदा । प्रीतः प्रत्याह तं बालं सद्वाक्यमनुकम्पया ॥ ३९ ॥

maitreya uvāca ity udāhṛtam ākarṇya bhagavān nāradas tadā prītaḥ pratyāha taṁ bālaṁ sad-vākyam anukampayā

Sri Maitreya said: Hearing this earnest reply, Bhagavan Narada was pleased, and, out of compassion, spoke these good words to the boy.

Verse 40 (bhagavata.4.8.40)

नारद उवाच जनन्याभिहितः पन्थाः स वै निःश्रेयसस्य ते । भगवान् वासुदेवस्तं भज तं प्रवणात्मना ॥ ४० ॥

nārada uvāca jananyābhihitaḥ panthāḥ sa vai niḥśreyasasya te bhagavān vāsudevas taṁ bhaja taṁ pravaṇātmanā

Narada said: The path your mother has shown you is indeed the true path to your supreme good; worship Bhagavan Vasudeva Himself, with a heart wholly inclined toward Him.

Verse 41 (bhagavata.4.8.41)

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाख्यं य इच्छेच्छ्रेय आत्मनः । एकं ह्येव हरेस्तत्र कारणं पादसेवनम् ॥ ४१ ॥

dharmārtha-kāma-mokṣākhyaṁ ya icchec chreya ātmanaḥ ekaṁ hy eva hares tatra kāraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam

Whoever desires for himself the four goals known as dharma, artha, kama and moksha, should know that the one true cause for their attainment is the service of Bhagavan Hari's feet.

Verse 42 (bhagavata.4.8.42)

तत्तात गच्छ भद्रं ते यमुनायास्तटं शुचि । पुण्यं मधुवनं यत्र सान्निध्यं नित्यदा हरेः ॥ ४२ ॥

tat tāta gaccha bhadraṁ te yamunāyās taṭaṁ śuci puṇyaṁ madhuvanaṁ yatra sānnidhyaṁ nityadā hareḥ

Therefore, my dear child, may good befall you — go to the pure bank of the Yamuna, to the sacred Madhuvana, where the presence of Bhagavan Hari is ever near.

Verse 43 (bhagavata.4.8.43)

स्नात्वानुसवनं तस्मिन् कालिन्द्याः सलिले शिवे । कृत्वोचितानि निवसन्नात्मनः कल्पितासनः ॥ ४३ ॥

snātvānusavanaṁ tasmin kālindyāḥ salile śive kṛtvocitāni nivasann ātmanaḥ kalpitāsanaḥ

There, bathing thrice daily in the auspicious waters of the Kalindi (Yamuna), and performing the necessary rites, take up your dwelling, seated upon a properly prepared seat.

Verse 44 (bhagavata.4.8.44)

प्राणायामेन त्रिवृता प्राणेन्द्रियमनोमलम् । शनैर्व्युदस्याभिध्यायेन्मनसा गुरुणा गुरुम् ॥ ४४ ॥

prāṇāyāmena tri-vṛtā prāṇendriya-mano-malam śanair vyudasyābhidhyāyen manasā guruṇā gurum

Through the threefold pranayama, gradually purge away the impurity of the life-air, senses and mind, and with your steady, focused mind meditate upon the great Lord.

Verse 45 (bhagavata.4.8.45)

प्रसादाभिमुखं शश्वत्प्रसन्नवदनेक्षणम् । सुनासं सुभ्रुवं चारुकपोलं सुरसुन्दरम् ॥ ४५ ॥

prasādābhimukhaṁ śaśvat prasanna-vadanekṣaṇam sunāsaṁ subhruvaṁ cāru- kapolaṁ sura-sundaram

[Meditate on that form which is] ever inclined toward bestowing grace, whose face and eyes are ever full of joy, whose nose is finely shaped, whose eyebrows and cheeks are lovely, and who is more beautiful than any god.

Verse 46 (bhagavata.4.8.46)

तरुणं रमणीयाङ्गमरुणोष्ठेक्षणाधरम् । प्रणताश्रयणं नृम्णं शरण्यं करुणार्णवम् ॥ ४६ ॥

taruṇaṁ ramaṇīyāṅgam aruṇoṣṭhekṣaṇādharam praṇatāśrayaṇaṁ nṛmṇaṁ śaraṇyaṁ karuṇārṇavam

[Meditate upon that form which is] ever youthful, with lovely limbs, whose eyes and lips are reddish as dawn, who is the shelter of the surrendered, generous, worthy of taking refuge in, and an ocean of compassion.

Verse 47 (bhagavata.4.8.47)

श्रीवत्साङ्कं घनश्यामं पुरुषं वनमालिनम् । शङ्खचक्रगदापद्मैरभिव्यक्तचतुर्भुजम् ॥ ४७ ॥

śrīvatsāṅkaṁ ghana-śyāmaṁ puruṣaṁ vana-mālinam śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padmair abhivyakta-caturbhujam

[Meditate upon] that Purusha, marked with Shrivatsa, dark as a rain-cloud, adorned with a forest garland, His four arms plainly manifest, holding conch, discus, mace and lotus.

Verse 48 (bhagavata.4.8.48)

किरीटिनं कुण्डलिनं केयूरवलयान्वितम् । कौस्तुभाभरणग्रीवं पीतकौशेयवाससम् ॥ ४८ ॥

kirīṭinaṁ kuṇḍalinaṁ keyūra-valayānvitam kaustubhābharaṇa-grīvaṁ pīta-kauśeya-vāsasam

[Meditate on Him] wearing a crown, earrings, armlets and bracelets, His neck adorned with the Kaustubha gem, dressed in fine yellow silk garments.

Verse 49 (bhagavata.4.8.49)

काञ्चीकलापपर्यस्तं लसत्काञ्चननूपुरम् । दर्शनीयतमं शान्तं मनोनयनवर्धनम् ॥ ४९ ॥

kāñcī-kalāpa-paryastaṁ lasat-kāñcana-nūpuram darśanīyatamaṁ śāntaṁ mano-nayana-vardhanam

[Meditate on Him] whose waist is girded with a jeweled belt, whose feet are adorned with shining golden anklets — the most beautiful of all sights, peaceful, delighting both mind and eyes.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.4.8.50)

पद्भ्यां नखमणिश्रेण्या विलसद्भ्यां समर्चताम् । हृत्पद्मकर्णिकाधिष्ण्यमाक्रम्यात्मन्यवस्थितम् ॥ ५० ॥

padbhyāṁ nakha-maṇi-śreṇyā vilasadbhyāṁ samarcatām hṛt-padma-karṇikā-dhiṣṇyam ākramyātmany avasthitam

[Meditate on Him] whose feet, radiant with rows of jewel-like nails, are worshiped by devotees, and who takes His seat upon the whorl of the lotus of their hearts, ever established within the self.

Verse 51 (bhagavata.4.8.51)

स्मयमानमभिध्यायेत्सानुरागावलोकनम् । नियतेनैकभूतेन मनसा वरदर्षभम् ॥ ५१ ॥

smayamānam abhidhyāyet sānurāgāvalokanam niyatenaika-bhūtena manasā varadarṣabham

With a controlled and single-pointed mind, one should meditate upon that gently smiling, foremost bestower of boons, gazing upon His devotee with eyes full of loving affection.

Verse 52 (bhagavata.4.8.52)

एवं भगवतो रूपं सुभद्रं ध्यायतो मनः । निर्वृत्या परया तूर्णं सम्पन्नं न निवर्तते ॥ ५२ ॥

evaṁ bhagavato rūpaṁ subhadraṁ dhyāyato manaḥ nirvṛtyā parayā tūrṇaṁ sampannaṁ na nivartate

The mind of one who thus meditates upon the ever-auspicious form of the Lord quickly attains supreme bliss, and once endowed with it, never turns away again.

Verse 53 (bhagavata.4.8.53)

जपश्च परमो गुह्यः श्रूयतां मे नृपात्मज । यं सप्तरात्रं प्रपठन्पुमान् पश्यति खेचरान् ॥ ५३ ॥

japaś ca paramo guhyaḥ śrūyatāṁ me nṛpātmaja yaṁ sapta-rātraṁ prapaṭhan pumān paśyati khecarān

O son of the King, now hear from me the supreme and secret mantra of japa; by reciting it faithfully for seven nights, one comes to behold beings who move through the sky.

Verse 54 (bhagavata.4.8.54)

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । मन्त्रेणानेन देवस्य कुर्याद् द्रव्यमयीं बुधः । सपर्यां विविधैर्द्रव्यैर्देशकालविभागवित् ॥ ५४ ॥

oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya mantreṇānena devasya kuryād dravyamayīṁ budhaḥ saparyāṁ vividhair dravyair deśa-kāla-vibhāgavit

"Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya" — with this mantra, one who is wise, knowing the appropriate distinctions of place and time, should offer worship to the Lord with various physical articles.

Verse 55 (bhagavata.4.8.55)

सलिलैः शुचिभिर्माल्यैर्वन्यैर्मूलफलादिभिः । शस्ताङ्कुरांशुकैश्चार्चेत्तुलस्या प्रियया प्रभुम् ॥ ५५ ॥

salilaiḥ śucibhir mālyair vanyair mūla-phalādibhiḥ śastāṅkurāṁśukaiś cārcet tulasyā priyayā prabhum

One should worship the Lord with pure water, garlands, forest roots and fruits, tender shoots and bark-cloth — and, above all, with tulasi leaves, which are so dear to Him.

Verse 56 (bhagavata.4.8.56)

लब्ध्वा द्रव्यमयीमर्चां क्षित्यम्ब्वादिषु वार्चयेत् । आभृतात्मा मुनिः शान्तो यतवाङ्मितवन्यभुक् ॥ ५६ ॥

labdhvā dravyamayīm arcāṁ kṣity-ambv-ādiṣu vārcayet ābhṛtātmā muniḥ śānto yata-vāṅ mita-vanya-bhuk

If a physical image is unavailable, one may worship Him in earth, water or similar elements. The devotee, self-controlled, peaceful, sparing in speech, should eat only what forest produce is strictly needed to sustain life.

Verse 57 (bhagavata.4.8.57)

स्वेच्छावतारचरितैरचिन्त्यनिजमायया । करिष्यत्युत्तमश्लोकस्तद् ध्यायेद्धृदयङ्गमम् ॥ ५७ ॥

svecchāvatāra-caritair acintya-nija-māyayā kariṣyaty uttamaślokas tad dhyāyed dhṛdayaṅ-gamam

One should also meditate upon the heart-captivating deeds performed by Uttamashloka (the Lord of glorious renown) in His various incarnations, freely undertaken through His own inconceivable power.

Verse 58 (bhagavata.4.8.58)

परिचर्या भगवतो यावत्यः पूर्वसेविताः । ता मन्त्रहृदयेनैव प्रयुञ्ज्यान्मन्त्रमूर्तये ॥ ५८ ॥

paricaryā bhagavato yāvatyaḥ pūrva-sevitāḥ tā mantra-hṛdayenaiva prayuñjyān mantra-mūrtaye

One should perform all the various acts of service to the Lord as followed by earlier devotees, or, if that is not possible, offer them mentally through the very essence of the mantra, to Him who is Himself the personified mantra.

Verse 59 (bhagavata.4.8.59)

एवं कायेन मनसा वचसा च मनोगतम् । परिचर्यमाणो भगवान् भक्तिमत्परिचर्यया ॥ ५९ ॥

evaṁ kāyena manasā vacasā ca mano-gatam paricaryamāṇo bhagavān bhaktimat-paricaryayā

Thus served with body, mind and speech, and in the heart with devotional attentiveness, Bhagavan —

Verse 60 (bhagavata.4.8.60)

पुंसाममायिनां सम्यग्भजतां भाववर्धनः । श्रेयो दिशत्यभिमतं यद्धर्मादिषु देहिनाम् ॥ ६० ॥

puṁsām amāyināṁ samyag bhajatāṁ bhāva-vardhanaḥ śreyo diśaty abhimataṁ yad dharmādiṣu dehinām

— being ever the increaser of pure devotion for those sincere, guileless souls who worship Him wholeheartedly, grants to embodied beings whatever desired fruit — whether dharma or the other goals — that they may seek.

Verse 61 (bhagavata.4.8.61)

विरक्तश्चेन्द्रियरतौ भक्तियोगेन भूयसा । तं निरन्तरभावेन भजेताद्धा विमुक्तये ॥ ६१ ॥

viraktaś cendriya-ratau bhakti-yogena bhūyasā taṁ nirantara-bhāvena bhajetāddhā vimuktaye

If one is truly detached from sense enjoyment, then, engaging deeply in devotional service, one should worship Him with unbroken, single-minded devotion, purely for the sake of liberation.

Verse 62 (bhagavata.4.8.62)

इत्युक्तस्तं परिक्रम्य प्रणम्य च नृपार्भकः । ययौ मधुवनं पुण्यं हरेश्चरणचर्चितम् ॥ ६२ ॥

ity uktas taṁ parikramya praṇamya ca nṛpārbhakaḥ yayau madhuvanaṁ puṇyaṁ hareś caraṇa-carcitam

Thus instructed, the young prince circumambulated Narada and offered him obeisances, and then set out for the sacred Madhuvana, marked by the very footprints of Bhagavan Hari.

Verse 63 (bhagavata.4.8.63)

तपोवनं गते तस्मिन्प्रविष्टोऽन्तःपुरं मुनिः । अर्हितार्हणको राज्ञा सुखासीन उवाच तम् ॥ ६३ ॥

tapo-vanaṁ gate tasmin praviṣṭo ’ntaḥ-puraṁ muniḥ arhitārhaṇako rājñā sukhāsīna uvāca tam

After Dhruva had gone to that forest of austerity, the sage Narada entered the King's inner palace, where, duly honored by the King, he sat down comfortably and spoke to him.

Verse 64 (bhagavata.4.8.64)

नारद उवाच राजन् किं ध्यायसे दीर्घं मुखेन परिशुष्यता । किं वा न रिष्यते कामो धर्मो वार्थेन संयुतः ॥ ६४ ॥

nārada uvāca rājan kiṁ dhyāyase dīrghaṁ mukhena pariśuṣyatā kiṁ vā na riṣyate kāmo dharmo vārthena saṁyutaḥ

Narada said: O King, why is your face so withered, and why do you sit lost in such long, deep thought? Has anything gone wrong with your pursuits of dharma, artha or kama?

Verse 65 (bhagavata.4.8.65)

राजोवाच सुतो मे बालको ब्रह्मन् स्त्रैणेनाकरुणात्मना । निर्वासितः पञ्चवर्षः सह मात्रा महान्कविः ॥ ६५ ॥

rājovāca suto me bālako brahman straiṇenākaruṇātmanā nirvāsitaḥ pañca-varṣaḥ saha mātrā mahān kaviḥ

The King said: O brahmana, my own son, a mere child of five, though truly a great and wise soul, has been driven out along with his mother — banished by me, so ruled by my wife that I have lost all compassion.

Verse 66 (bhagavata.4.8.66)

अप्यनाथं वने ब्रह्मन्मा स्मादन्त्यर्भकं वृकाः । श्रान्तं शयानं क्षुधितं परिम्लानमुखाम्बुजम् ॥ ६६ ॥

apy anāthaṁ vane brahman mā smādanty arbhakaṁ vṛkāḥ śrāntaṁ śayānaṁ kṣudhitaṁ parimlāna-mukhāmbujam

O brahmana, I fear that in the forest, unprotected, wolves may have devoured my exhausted, hungry child as he lay sleeping, his lotus-like face withered with fatigue.

Verse 67 (bhagavata.4.8.67)

अहो मे बत दौरात्म्यं स्त्रीजितस्योपधारय । योऽङ्कं प्रेम्णारुरुक्षन्तं नाभ्यनन्दमसत्तमः ॥ ६७ ॥

aho me bata daurātmyaṁ strī-jitasyopadhāraya yo ’ṅkaṁ premṇārurukṣantaṁ nābhyanandam asattamaḥ

Alas, just consider my own cruelty — a man so entirely conquered by his wife — that when my own son, out of pure love, tried to climb onto my lap, I, the most wretched of men, did not even welcome him!

Verse 68 (bhagavata.4.8.68)

नारद उवाच मा मा शुचः स्वतनयं देवगुप्तं विशाम्पते । तत्प्रभावमविज्ञाय प्रावृङ्क्ते यद्यशो जगत् ॥ ६८ ॥

nārada uvāca mā mā śucaḥ sva-tanayaṁ deva-guptaṁ viśāmpate tat-prabhāvam avijñāya prāvṛṅkte yad-yaśo jagat

Narada said: O lord of men, do not grieve at all for your own son — he is protected by the Supreme Lord Himself. Though you do not know his true glory, his fame has already spread throughout the whole world.

Verse 69 (bhagavata.4.8.69)

सुदुष्करं कर्म कृत्वा लोकपालैरपि प्रभुः । ऐष्यत्यचिरतो राजन् यशो विपुलयंस्तव ॥ ६९ ॥

suduṣkaraṁ karma kṛtvā loka-pālair api prabhuḥ aiṣyaty acirato rājan yaśo vipulayaṁs tava

O King, this powerful boy, having accomplished a feat impossible even for the guardians of the worlds, will soon return, and in doing so will vastly increase your own fame as well.

Verse 70 (bhagavata.4.8.70)

मैत्रेय उवाच इति देवर्षिणा प्रोक्तं विश्रुत्य जगतीपतिः । राजलक्ष्मीमनादृत्य पुत्रमेवान्वचिन्तयत् ॥ ७० ॥

maitreya uvāca iti devarṣiṇā proktaṁ viśrutya jagatī-patiḥ rāja-lakṣmīm anādṛtya putram evānvacintayat

Sri Maitreya said: Having heard these words of the celestial sage, the lord of the earth, setting aside all regard for his royal fortune, began to think of nothing but his son.

Verse 71 (bhagavata.4.8.71)

तत्राभिषिक्तः प्रयतस्तामुपोष्य विभावरीम् । समाहितः पर्यचरदृष्यादेशेन पूरुषम् ॥ ७१ ॥

tatrābhiṣiktaḥ prayatas tām upoṣya vibhāvarīm samāhitaḥ paryacarad ṛṣy-ādeśena pūruṣam

There, having bathed and purified himself, and having fasted through that night, Dhruva, with a focused and disciplined mind, began to worship the Supreme Purusha exactly as the sage had instructed.

Verse 72 (bhagavata.4.8.72)

त्रिरात्रान्ते त्रिरात्रान्ते कपित्थबदराशनः । आत्मवृत्त्यनुसारेण मासं निन्येऽर्चयन्हरिम् ॥ ७२ ॥

tri-rātrānte tri-rātrānte kapittha-badarāśanaḥ ātma-vṛtty-anusāreṇa māsaṁ ninye ’rcayan harim

In the first month, eating only kapittha and badari fruits, and that too only once every three nights, sustaining his body minimally, he spent the month worshiping Bhagavan Hari.

Verse 73 (bhagavata.4.8.73)

द्वितीयं च तथा मासं षष्ठे षष्ठेऽर्भको दिने । तृणपर्णादिभिः शीर्णैः कृतान्नोऽभ्यर्चयन्विभुम् ॥ ७३ ॥

dvitīyaṁ ca tathā māsaṁ ṣaṣṭhe ṣaṣṭhe ’rbhako dine tṛṇa-parṇādibhiḥ śīrṇaiḥ kṛtānno ’bhyarcayan vibhum

In the second month, that child ate only every sixth day, and that too only dried grass and leaves prepared as food, and thus continued worshiping the almighty Lord.

Verse 74 (bhagavata.4.8.74)

तृतीयं चानयन्मासं नवमे नवमेऽहनि । अब्भक्ष उत्तमश्लोकमुपाधावत्समाधिना ॥ ७४ ॥

tṛtīyaṁ cānayan māsaṁ navame navame ’hani ab-bhakṣa uttamaślokam upādhāvat samādhinā

In the third month, he passed his days drinking only water, and that too only every ninth day, worshiping Uttamashloka (the Lord) in deep, unbroken trance.

Verse 75 (bhagavata.4.8.75)

चतुर्थमपि वै मासं द्वादशे द्वादशेऽहनि । वायुभक्षो जितश्वासो ध्यायन्देवमधारयत् ॥ ७५ ॥

caturtham api vai māsaṁ dvādaśe dvādaśe ’hani vāyu-bhakṣo jita-śvāso dhyāyan devam adhārayat

In the fourth month too, having mastered his breath, he subsisted on air alone, taking it only every twelfth day, and steadily held his mind fixed in meditation upon the Lord.

Verse 76 (bhagavata.4.8.76)

पञ्चमे मास्यनुप्राप्ते जितश्वासो नृपात्मजः । ध्यायन् ब्रह्म पदैकेन तस्थौ स्थाणुरिवाचलः ॥ ७६ ॥

pañcame māsy anuprāpte jita-śvāso nṛpātmajaḥ dhyāyan brahma padaikena tasthau sthāṇur ivācalaḥ

When the fifth month arrived, the King's son, having fully mastered his breath, stood motionless on a single leg, like a fixed pillar, meditating upon the Supreme Brahman.

Verse 77 (bhagavata.4.8.77)

सर्वतो मन आकृष्य हृदि भूतेन्द्रियाशयम् । ध्यायन्भगवतो रूपं नाद्राक्षीत्किञ्चनापरम् ॥ ७७ ॥

sarvato mana ākṛṣya hṛdi bhūtendriyāśayam dhyāyan bhagavato rūpaṁ nādrākṣīt kiñcanāparam

Withdrawing his mind entirely from all sides, along with the seat of the senses and elements, into his heart, and meditating upon the form of the Lord, he perceived nothing else whatsoever.

Verse 78 (bhagavata.4.8.78)

आधारं महदादीनां प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरम् । ब्रह्म धारयमाणस्य त्रयो लोकाश्चकम्पिरे ॥ ७८ ॥

ādhāraṁ mahad-ādīnāṁ pradhāna-puruṣeśvaram brahma dhārayamāṇasya trayo lokāś cakampire

As he held fixed in his mind that Brahman who is the very support of the mahat-tattva and all else, the supreme controller of both Prakriti and Purusha, the three worlds began to tremble.

Verse 79 (bhagavata.4.8.79)

यदैकपादेन स पार्थिवार्भक स्तस्थौ तदङ्गुष्ठनिपीडिता मही । ननाम तत्रार्धमिभेन्द्रधिष्ठिता तरीव सव्येतरतः पदे पदे ॥ ७९ ॥

yadaika-pādena sa pārthivārbhakas tasthau tad-aṅguṣṭha-nipīḍitā mahī nanāma tatrārdham ibhendra-dhiṣṭhitā tarīva savyetarataḥ pade pade

As that royal child stood upon one leg, the earth, pressed down by his big toe, tilted to one side beneath his weight, just as a boat carrying a great elephant sways with its every step.

Verse 80 (bhagavata.4.8.80)

तस्मिन्नभिध्यायति विश्वमात्मनो द्वारं निरुध्यासुमनन्यया धिया । लोका निरुच्छ्वासनिपीडिता भृशं सलोकपालाः शरणं ययुर्हरिम् ॥ ८० ॥

tasminn abhidhyāyati viśvam ātmano dvāraṁ nirudhyāsum ananyayā dhiyā lokā nirucchvāsa-nipīḍitā bhṛśaṁ sa-loka-pālāḥ śaraṇaṁ yayur harim

As he, absorbed in single-pointed meditation, closed off the passages of his own vital air, the whole universe felt its breath choked and constricted, so that the gods, together with the guardians of the worlds, took refuge in Bhagavan Hari.

Verse 81 (bhagavata.4.8.81)

देवा ऊचुः नैवं विदामो भगवन् प्राणरोधं चराचरस्याखिलसत्त्वधाम्नः । विधेहि तन्नो वृजिनाद्विमोक्षं प्राप्ता वयं त्वां शरणं शरण्यम् ॥ ८१ ॥

devā ūcuḥ naivaṁ vidāmo bhagavan prāṇa-rodhaṁ carācarasyākhila-sattva-dhāmnaḥ vidhehi tan no vṛjinād vimokṣaṁ prāptā vayaṁ tvāṁ śaraṇaṁ śaraṇyam

The gods said: O Bhagavan, never before have we experienced such a stifling of the very breath of all moving and unmoving beings, who dwell in you as their ultimate refuge. Please grant us release from this calamity — we have come to you, the true shelter, for protection.

Verse 82 (bhagavata.4.8.82)

श्रीभगवानुवाच मा भैष्ट बालं तपसो दुरत्यया- न्निवर्तयिष्ये प्रतियात स्वधाम । यतो हि वः प्राणनिरोध आसी- दौत्तानपादिर्मयि सङ्गतात्मा ॥ ८२ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca mā bhaiṣṭa bālaṁ tapaso duratyayān nivartayiṣye pratiyāta sva-dhāma yato hi vaḥ prāṇa-nirodha āsīd auttānapādir mayi saṅgatātmā

Sri Bhagavan said: Do not fear. I shall myself turn this boy back from his insurmountable austerity; return now to your own abodes. For it is the son of Uttanapada, his heart wholly absorbed in Me, who has caused this constriction of your breath.