Dhruva Maharaja Returns Home

Verse 1 (bhagavata.4.9.1)

मैत्रेय उवाच त एवमुत्सन्नभया उरुक्रमे कृतावनामाः प्रययुस्त्रिविष्टपम् । सहस्रशीर्षापि ततो गरुत्मता मधोर्वनं भृत्यदिदृक्षया गतः ॥ 9.1 ॥

maitreya uvāca ta evam utsanna-bhayā urukrame kṛtāvanāmāḥ prayayus tri-viṣṭapam sahasraśīrṣāpi tato garutmatā madhor vanaṁ bhṛtya-didṛkṣayā gataḥ

Maitreya continued: Their fear thus dispelled by the Lord of uncommon deeds, the demigods bowed to Him and returned to their heavenly abodes. The thousand-headed Personality of Godhead then mounted Garuda and set out for the Madhuvana forest to behold His young devotee.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.4.9.2)

स वै धिया योगविपाकतीव्रया हृत्पद्मकोशे स्फुरितं तडित्प्रभम् । तिरोहितं सहसैवोपलक्ष्य बहिःस्थितं तदवस्थं ददर्श ॥ 9.2 ॥

sa vai dhiyā yoga-vipāka-tīvrayā hṛt-padma-kośe sphuritaṁ taḍit-prabham tirohitaṁ sahasaivopalakṣya bahiḥ-sthitaṁ tad-avasthaṁ dadarśa

The Lord's form, lightning-bright, which had shone in the lotus of his heart through the ripened power of yoga, suddenly vanished from within; startled, Dhruva opened his eyes and found that very form standing before him, outside.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.4.9.3)

तद्दर्शनेनागतसाध्वसः क्षिता- ववन्दताङ्गं विनमय्य दण्डवत् । दृग्भ्यां प्रपश्यन् प्रपिबन्निवार्भक- श्चुम्बन्निवास्येन भुजैरिवाश्लिषन् ॥ 9.3 ॥

tad-darśanenāgata-sādhvasaḥ kṣitāv avandatāṅgaṁ vinamayya daṇḍavat dṛgbhyāṁ prapaśyan prapibann ivārbhakaś cumbann ivāsyena bhujair ivāśliṣan

Overcome with awe at that sight, he prostrated himself full length on the ground like a rod in salutation; with his eyes he seemed to drink the Lord in, with his lips to kiss Him, and with his arms to embrace Him.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.4.9.4)

स तं विवक्षन्तमतद्विदं हरि- र्ज्ञात्वास्य सर्वस्य च हृद्यवस्थितः । कृताञ्जलिं ब्रह्ममयेन कम्बुना पस्पर्श बालं कृपया कपोले ॥ 9.4 ॥

sa taṁ vivakṣantam atad-vidaṁ harir jñātvāsya sarvasya ca hṛdy avasthitaḥ kṛtāñjaliṁ brahmamayena kambunā pasparśa bālaṁ kṛpayā kapole

Hari, who dwells within the heart of all and knew that the boy wished to speak yet lacked the words, touched His conch, made of the very substance of the Veda, to the child's cheek out of compassion.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.4.9.5)

स वै तदैव प्रतिपादितां गिरं दैवीं परिज्ञातपरात्मनिर्णयः । तं भक्तिभावोऽभ्यगृणादसत्वरं परिश्रुतोरुश्रवसं ध्रुवक्षितिः ॥ 9.5 ॥

sa vai tadaiva pratipāditāṁ giraṁ daivīṁ parijñāta-parātma-nirṇayaḥ taṁ bhakti-bhāvo ’bhyagṛṇād asatvaraṁ pariśrutoru-śravasaṁ dhruva-kṣitiḥ

At that very moment Dhruva, now grasping the transcendental conclusion regarding the Supreme Self, found divine speech granted to him, and, filled with devotion, he who would attain unfailing fame and an imperishable realm began his prayer without haste.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.4.9.6)

ध्रुव उवाच योऽन्तः प्रविश्य मम वाचमिमां प्रसुप्तां सञ्जीवयत्यखिलशक्तिधरः स्वधाम्ना । अन्यांश्च हस्तचरणश्रवणत्वगादीन् प्राणान्नमो भगवते पुरुषाय तुभ्यम् ॥ 9.6 ॥

dhruva uvāca yo ’ntaḥ praviśya mama vācam imāṁ prasuptāṁ sañjīvayaty akhila-śakti-dharaḥ sva-dhāmnā anyāṁś ca hasta-caraṇa-śravaṇa-tvag-ādīn prāṇān namo bhagavate puruṣāya tubhyam

Dhruva said: O Lord of all power, entering within me You have quickened this speech of mine that lay dormant, and likewise my hands, feet, ears, skin and the very breath of life. I offer my obeisances to You, the Supreme Person.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.4.9.7)

एकस्त्वमेव भगवन्निदमात्मशक्त्या मायाख्ययोरुगुणया महदाद्यशेषम् । सृष्ट्वानुविश्य पुरुषस्तदसद्गुणेषु नानेव दारुषु विभावसुवद्विभासि ॥ 9.7 ॥

ekas tvam eva bhagavann idam ātma-śaktyā māyākhyayoru-guṇayā mahad-ādy-aśeṣam sṛṣṭvānuviśya puruṣas tad-asad-guṇeṣu nāneva dāruṣu vibhāvasuvad vibhāsi

You alone are one, O Bhagavan, yet through Your own potency called Maya, whose modes are vast, You create the entire unlimited universe beginning from the mahat-tattva, enter into it, and shine variously through its temporary qualities — just as a single fire appears manifold when it enters many different pieces of wood.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.4.9.8)

त्वद्दत्तया वयुनयेदमचष्ट विश्वं सुप्तप्रबुद्ध इव नाथ भवत्प्रपन्नः । तस्यापवर्ग्यशरणं तव पादमूलं विस्मर्यते कृतविदा कथमार्तबन्धो ॥ 9.8 ॥

tvad-dattayā vayunayedam acaṣṭa viśvaṁ supta-prabuddha iva nātha bhavat-prapannaḥ tasyāpavargya-śaraṇaṁ tava pāda-mūlaṁ vismaryate kṛta-vidā katham ārta-bandho

By the knowledge You bestowed, he who is surrendered to You beheld this universe as one waking from sleep, O Master. How, then, could anyone possessed of true understanding ever forget Your feet, the sole refuge of liberation, O Friend of the afflicted?

Verse 9 (bhagavata.4.9.9)

नूनं विमुष्टमतयस्तव मायया ते ये त्वां भवाप्ययविमोक्षणमन्यहेतोः । अर्चन्ति कल्पकतरुं कुणपोपभोग्य- मिच्छन्ति यत्स्पर्शजं निरयेऽपि नृणाम् ॥ 9.9 ॥

nūnaṁ vimuṣṭa-matayas tava māyayā te ye tvāṁ bhavāpyaya-vimokṣaṇam anya-hetoḥ arcanti kalpaka-taruṁ kuṇapopabhogyam icchanti yat sparśajaṁ niraye ’pi nṝṇām

Surely those whose intelligence Your Maya has stolen are they who worship You, the wish-fulfilling tree who grants freedom from birth and death, only for some other end — desiring for the enjoyment of this corpse-like body those pleasures of touch that are available even to men in hell.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.4.9.10)

या निर्वृतिस्तनुभृतां तव पादपद्म ध्यानाद्भवज्जनकथाश्रवणेन वा स्यात् । सा ब्रह्मणि स्वमहिमन्यपि नाथ मा भूत् किं त्वन्तकासिलुलितात्पततां विमानात् ॥ 9.10 ॥

yā nirvṛtis tanu-bhṛtāṁ tava pāda-padma- dhyānād bhavaj-jana-kathā-śravaṇena vā syāt sā brahmaṇi sva-mahimany api nātha mā bhūt kiṁ tv antakāsi-lulitāt patatāṁ vimānāt

The bliss that embodied beings gain from meditating on Your lotus feet, or from hearing the accounts of Your own devotees, O Master, is not found even in Brahman's own glory — what then of the fate of those who fall from their celestial cars, cut down by the sword of death?

Verse 11 (bhagavata.4.9.11)

भक्तिं मुहुः प्रवहतां त्वयि मे प्रसङ्गो भूयादनन्त महताममलाशयानाम् । येनाञ्जसोल्बणमुरुव्यसनं भवाब्धिं नेष्ये भवद्गुणकथामृतपानमत्तः ॥ 9.11 ॥

bhaktiṁ muhuḥ pravahatāṁ tvayi me prasaṅgo bhūyād ananta mahatām amalāśayānām yenāñjasolbaṇam uru-vyasanaṁ bhavābdhiṁ neṣye bhavad-guṇa-kathāmṛta-pāna-mattaḥ

May it be my good fortune, O Boundless One, to keep company with great souls whose hearts are pure and whose devotion to You flows on without pause; through this, intoxicated by drinking the nectar of accounts of Your own qualities, I shall easily cross this ocean of material existence, so laden with fierce and manifold danger.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.4.9.12)

ते न स्मरन्त्यतितरां प्रियमीश मर्त्यं ये चान्वदः सुतसुहृद्गृहवित्तदाराः । ये त्वब्जनाभ भवदीयपदारविन्द सौगन्ध्यलुब्धहृदयेषु कृतप्रसङ्गाः ॥ 9.12 ॥

te na smaranty atitarāṁ priyam īśa martyaṁ ye cānv adaḥ suta-suhṛd-gṛha-vitta-dārāḥ ye tv abja-nābha bhavadīya-padāravinda- saugandhya-lubdha-hṛdayeṣu kṛta-prasaṅgāḥ

Those, O Lord whose navel bears the lotus, who have won the fellowship of hearts greedy for the fragrance of Your lotus feet, no longer remember with any deep longing this mortal body, nor the children, friends, home, wealth and wife that are otherwise held so dear.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.4.9.13)

तिर्यङ्नगद्विजसरीसृपदेवदैत्य मर्त्यादिभिः परिचितं सदसद्विशेषम् । रूपं स्थविष्ठमज ते महदाद्यनेकं नातः परं परम वेद्मि न यत्र वादः ॥ 9.13 ॥

tiryaṅ-naga-dvija-sarīsṛpa-deva-daitya- martyādibhiḥ paricitaṁ sad-asad-viśeṣam rūpaṁ sthaviṣṭham aja te mahad-ādy-anekaṁ nātaḥ paraṁ parama vedmi na yatra vādaḥ

O Unborn One, I know the gross universal form pervaded variously by beasts, trees, birds, reptiles, gods, demons and men, manifest and unmanifest, born of the mahat-tattva and its many causes; but beyond this, O Supreme, I know nothing — here all argument comes to an end.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.4.9.14)

कल्पान्त एतदखिलं जठरेण गृह्णन् शेते पुमान्स्वदृगनन्तसखस्तदङ्के । यन्नाभिसिन्धुरुहकाञ्चनलोकपद्म- गर्भे द्युमान्भगवते प्रणतोऽस्मि तस्मै ॥ 9.14 ॥

kalpānta etad akhilaṁ jaṭhareṇa gṛhṇan śete pumān sva-dṛg ananta-sakhas tad-aṅke yan-nābhi-sindhu-ruha-kāñcana-loka-padma- garbhe dyumān bhagavate praṇato ’smi tasmai

At the end of the age, drawing all this within His belly, that Person lies upon the lap of Ananta, gazing upon His own self; from whose navel sprouts the golden lotus bearing the world, upon whose whorl the radiant Brahma is born — to that Bhagavan I offer my obeisance.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.4.9.15)

त्वं नित्यमुक्तपरिशुद्धविबुद्ध आत्मा कूटस्थ आदिपुरुषो भगवांस्त्र्यधीशः । यद्बुद्ध्यवस्थितिमखण्डितया स्वदृष्टया द्रष्टा स्थितावधिमखो व्यतिरिक्त आस्से ॥ 9.15 ॥

tvaṁ nitya-mukta-pariśuddha-vibuddha ātmā kūṭa-stha ādi-puruṣo bhagavāṁs try-adhīśaḥ yad-buddhy-avasthitim akhaṇḍitayā sva-dṛṣṭyā draṣṭā sthitāv adhimakho vyatirikta āsse

You are the Self, ever free, wholly pure, and full of knowledge, changeless, the original Person, Bhagavan, Lord of the three modes; by Your own unbroken vision You witness every state of the intellect, yet, standing apart as the enjoyer of all sacrifice, You remain the ground of its continuance.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.4.9.16)

यस्मिन्विरुद्धगतयो ह्यनिशं पतन्ति विद्यादयो विविधशक्तय आनुपूर्व्यात् । तद्ब्रह्म विश्वभवमेकमनन्तमाद्य- मानन्दमात्रमविकारमहं प्रपद्ये ॥ 9.16 ॥

yasmin viruddha-gatayo hy aniśaṁ patanti vidyādayo vividha-śaktaya ānupūrvyāt tad brahma viśva-bhavam ekam anantam ādyam ānanda-mātram avikāram ahaṁ prapadye

That Brahman in which knowledge and its opposite, ignorance, together with many other powers, appear ceaselessly and in succession — that one, unlimited, primeval, sheer bliss, unchanging source of the universe, I take as my refuge.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.4.9.17)

सत्याशिषो हि भगवंस्तव पादपद्म- माशीस्तथानुभजतः पुरुषार्थमूर्तेः । अप्येवमर्य भगवान्परिपाति दीनान् वाश्रेव वत्सकमनुग्रहकातरोऽस्मान् ॥ 9.17 ॥

satyāśiṣo hi bhagavaṁs tava pāda-padmam āśīs tathānubhajataḥ puruṣārtha-mūrteḥ apy evam arya bhagavān paripāti dīnān vāśreva vatsakam anugraha-kātaro ’smān

True indeed are the blessings at Your lotus feet, O Bhagavan, for one who serves them without seeking any other boon, since You are the very embodiment of life's real goal; and yet, O Noble One, does the Lord not still protect the humble, as a cow, eager to show mercy, protects her calf?

Verse 18 (bhagavata.4.9.18)

मैत्रेय उवाच अथाभिष्टुत एवं वै सत्सङ्कल्पेन धीमता । भृत्यानुरक्तो भगवान् प्रतिनन्द्येदमब्रवीत् ॥ 9.18 ॥

maitreya uvāca athābhiṣṭuta evaṁ vai sat-saṅkalpena dhīmatā bhṛtyānurakto bhagavān pratinandyedam abravīt

Maitreya continued: When Dhruva, whose intent was pure, had thus finished his prayer, the Lord, ever affectionate toward His servants, replied to him with these words of praise.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.4.9.19)

श्रीभगवानुवाच वेदाहं ते व्यवसितं हृदि राजन्यबालक । तत्प्रयच्छामि भद्रं ते दुरापमपि सुव्रत ॥ 9.19 ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca vedāhaṁ te vyavasitaṁ hṛdi rājanya-bālaka tat prayacchāmi bhadraṁ te durāpam api suvrata

The Lord said: O boy of royal birth, I know what lies resolved in your heart. Though it be hard to attain, O virtuous one, I grant it to you; may all good fortune be yours.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.4.9.20)

नान्यैरधिष्ठितं भद्र यद्भ्राजिष्णु ध्रुवक्षिति । यत्र ग्रहर्क्षताराणां ज्योतिषां चक्रमाहितम् ॥ 9.20 ॥

nānyair adhiṣṭhitaṁ bhadra yad bhrājiṣṇu dhruva-kṣiti yatra graharkṣa-tārāṇāṁ jyotiṣāṁ cakram āhitam

No other has ever ruled that shining realm, O gentle one, around which the wheel of planets, stars and constellations is set in motion.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.4.9.21)

मेढ्यां गोचक्रवत्स्थास्नु परस्तात्कल्पवासिनाम् । धर्मोऽग्निः कश्यपः शुक्रो मुनयो ये वनौकसः । चरन्ति दक्षिणीकृत्य भ्रमन्तो यत्सतारकाः ॥ 9.21 ॥

meḍhyāṁ go-cakravat sthāsnu parastāt kalpa-vāsinām dharmo ’gniḥ kaśyapaḥ śukro munayo ye vanaukasaḥ caranti dakṣiṇī-kṛtya bhramanto yat satārakāḥ

Around this stationary pole, as around a central post, move Dharma, Agni, Kashyapa, Shukra and the sages who dwell in the forest, together with all the constellations, keeping it always to their right as they circle round.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.4.9.22)

प्रस्थिते तु वनं पित्रा दत्त्वा गां धर्मसंश्रयः । षट्-त्रिंशद्वर्षसाहस्रं रक्षिताव्याहतेन्द्रियः ॥ 9.22 ॥

prasthite tu vanaṁ pitrā dattvā gāṁ dharma-saṁśrayaḥ ṣaṭ-triṁśad-varṣa-sāhasraṁ rakṣitāvyāhatendriyaḥ

When your father goes to the forest, having in his devotion to dharma given the kingdom to you, you shall protect it for thirty-six thousand years, your senses ever unimpaired.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.4.9.23)

त्वद्भ्रातर्युत्तमे नष्टे मृगयायां तु तन्मनाः । अन्वेषन्ती वनं माता दावाग्निं सा प्रवेक्ष्यति ॥ 9.23 ॥

tvad-bhrātary uttame naṣṭe mṛgayāyāṁ tu tan-manāḥ anveṣantī vanaṁ mātā dāvāgniṁ sā pravekṣyati

When your brother Uttama, his mind fixed on the hunt, is lost in the forest and perishes, your mother, searching for him there in her grief, will enter a forest fire.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.4.9.24)

इष्ट्वा मां यज्ञहृदयं यज्ञैः पुष्कलदक्षिणैः । भुक्त्वा चेहाशिषः सत्या अन्ते मां संस्मरिष्यसि ॥ 9.24 ॥

iṣṭvā māṁ yajña-hṛdayaṁ yajñaiḥ puṣkala-dakṣiṇaiḥ bhuktvā cehāśiṣaḥ satyā ante māṁ saṁsmariṣyasi

Having worshiped Me, the heart of all sacrifice, with rites yielding rich gifts, and having enjoyed here the true blessings of this life, at its end you shall remember Me.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.4.9.25)

ततो गन्तासि मत्स्थानं सर्वलोकनमस्कृतम् । उपरिष्टादृषिभ्यस्त्वं यतो नावर्तते गतः ॥ 9.25 ॥

tato gantāsi mat-sthānaṁ sarva-loka-namaskṛtam upariṣṭād ṛṣibhyas tvaṁ yato nāvartate gataḥ

Thereafter you shall go to My abode, honored by all the worlds, situated above even the seven sages, from where none who has gone ever returns.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.4.9.26)

मैत्रेय उवाच इत्यर्चितः स भगवानतिदिश्यात्मनः पदम् । बालस्य पश्यतो धाम स्वमगाद्गरुडध्वजः ॥ 9.26 ॥

maitreya uvāca ity arcitaḥ sa bhagavān atidiśyātmanaḥ padam bālasya paśyato dhāma svam agād garuḍa-dhvajaḥ

Maitreya said: Thus worshiped, and having granted the boy, before his very eyes, His own supreme abode, Bhagavan, whose banner bears Garuda, departed for His realm.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.4.9.27)

सोऽपि सङ्कल्पजं विष्णोः पादसेवोपसादितम् । प्राप्य सङ्कल्पनिर्वाणं नातिप्रीतोऽभ्यगात्पुरम् ॥ 9.27 ॥

so ’pi saṅkalpajaṁ viṣṇoḥ pāda-sevopasāditam prāpya saṅkalpa-nirvāṇaṁ nātiprīto ’bhyagāt puram

Yet even after gaining the result of his resolve, born of worshiping the Lord's feet, and attaining the very extinguishing of his desire, Dhruva returned to the city without any great joy.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.4.9.28)

विदुर उवाच सुदुर्लभं यत्परमं पदं हरे- र्मायाविनस्तच्चरणार्चनार्जितम् । लब्ध्वाप्यसिद्धार्थमिवैकजन्मना कथं स्वमात्मानममन्यतार्थवित् ॥ 9.28 ॥

vidura uvāca sudurlabhaṁ yat paramaṁ padaṁ harer māyāvinas tac-caraṇārcanārjitam labdhvāpy asiddhārtham ivaika-janmanā kathaṁ svam ātmānam amanyatārtha-vit

Vidura asked: That supreme abode of Hari, so hard to attain, won only by worship of His feet by one who has mastered Maya — having gained it, as it were, in a single lifetime, how could one so wise think little of himself?

Verse 29 (bhagavata.4.9.29)

मैत्रेय उवाच मातुः सपत्न्या वाग्बाणैर्हृदि विद्धस्तु तान् स्मरन् । नैच्छन्मुक्तिपतेर्मुक्तिं तस्मात्तापमुपेयिवान् ॥ 9.29 ॥

maitreya uvāca mātuḥ sapatnyā vāg-bāṇair hṛdi viddhas tu tān smaran naicchan mukti-pater muktiṁ tasmāt tāpam upeyivān

Maitreya replied: His heart still pierced by the sharp words of his stepmother, and remembering them even then, Dhruva did not seek liberation from the Lord of liberation itself — and for that he grieved.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.4.9.30)

ध्रुव उवाच समाधिना नैकभवेन यत्पदं विदुः सनन्दादय ऊर्ध्वरेतसः । मासैरहं षड्भिरमुष्य पादयो- श्छायामुपेत्यापगतः पृथङ्मतिः ॥ 9.30 ॥

dhruva uvāca samādhinā naika-bhavena yat padaṁ viduḥ sanandādaya ūrdhva-retasaḥ māsair ahaṁ ṣaḍbhir amuṣya pādayoś chāyām upetyāpagataḥ pṛthaṅ-matiḥ

Dhruva thought: The state which even Sanandana and the other seers of upward-flowing seed attained through trance across many births, I reached in but six months at the shadow of His feet — yet, my mind still divided, I fell away from it.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.4.9.31)

अहो बत ममानात्म्यं मन्दभाग्यस्य पश्यत । भवच्छिदः पादमूलं गत्वायाचे यदन्तवत् ॥ 9.31 ॥

aho bata mamānātmyaṁ manda-bhāgyasya paśyata bhava-cchidaḥ pāda-mūlaṁ gatvā yāce yad antavat

Alas, look at my folly, unfortunate as I am! I went to the very feet of Him who severs the bonds of birth and death, and yet I begged for that which itself has an end.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.4.9.32)

मतिर्विदूषिता देवैः पतद्भिरसहिष्णुभिः । यो नारदवचस्तथ्यं नाग्राहिषमसत्तमः ॥ 9.32 ॥

matir vidūṣitā devaiḥ patadbhir asahiṣṇubhiḥ yo nārada-vacas tathyaṁ nāgrāhiṣam asattamaḥ

My intelligence was corrupted by the envious, falling gods, unable to bear my rise — it is for this, most base of men that I am, that I did not accept the true word of Narada.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.4.9.33)

दैवीं मायामुपाश्रित्य प्रसुप्त इव भिन्नदृक् । तप्ये द्वितीयेऽप्यसति भ्रातृभ्रातृव्यहृद्रुजा ॥ 9.33 ॥

daivīṁ māyām upāśritya prasupta iva bhinna-dṛk tapye dvitīye ’py asati bhrātṛ-bhrātṛvya-hṛd-rujā

Taking refuge, as it were, in divine Maya, my vision divided as one asleep, I suffered from the disease of the heart born of seeing my own brother — one who did not even truly exist for me — as an enemy.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.4.9.34)

मयैतत्प्रार्थितं व्यर्थं चिकित्सेव गतायुषि । प्रसाद्य जगदात्मानं तपसा दुष्प्रसादनम् । भवच्छिदमयाचेऽहं भवं भाग्यविवर्जितः ॥ 9.34 ॥

mayaitat prārthitaṁ vyarthaṁ cikitseva gatāyuṣi prasādya jagad-ātmānaṁ tapasā duṣprasādanam bhava-cchidam ayāce ’haṁ bhavaṁ bhāgya-vivarjitaḥ

Vain was my prayer, like medicine given to one already dead; having with penance pleased the Self of the universe, so hard to please, I, devoid of fortune, still begged of Him who cuts away material existence for further existence.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.4.9.35)

वाराज्यं यच्छतो मौढ्यान्मानो मे भिक्षितो बत । ईश्वरात्क्षीणपुण्येन फलीकारानिवाधनः ॥ 9.35 ॥

svārājyaṁ yacchato mauḍhyān māno me bhikṣito bata īśvarāt kṣīṇa-puṇyena phalī-kārān ivādhanaḥ

Out of sheer foolishness, when He offered even His own kingdom, I begged instead for honor — like a pauper who, granted anything by a great emperor pleased with him, out of ignorance asks only for a few broken grains.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.4.9.36)

मैत्रेय उवाच न वै मुकुन्दस्य पदारविन्दयोरजोजुषस्तात भवादृशा जनाः । वाञ्छन्ति तद्दास्यमृतेऽर्थमात्मनोयदृच्छया लब्धमनःसमृद्धयः ॥ 9.36 ॥

maitreya uvāca na vai mukundasya padāravindayo rajo-juṣas tāta bhavādṛśā janāḥ vāñchanti tad-dāsyam ṛte ’rtham ātmano yadṛcchayā labdha-manaḥ-samṛddhayaḥ

Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, people such as you, absorbed in the honey of Mukunda's lotus feet, born of no material motive, never desire anything for themselves apart from His service, even when abundance comes to them unsought.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.4.9.37)

आकर्ण्यात्मजमायान्तं सम्परेत्य यथागतम् । राजा न श्रद्दधे भद्रमभद्रस्य कुतो मम ॥ 9.37 ॥

ākarṇyātma-jam āyāntaṁ samparetya yathāgatam rājā na śraddadhe bhadram abhadrasya kuto mama

When the King heard that his son was returning as if come back from the dead, he could not believe it, for he thought: how could such good fortune come to one as wretched as I?

Verse 38 (bhagavata.4.9.38)

श्रद्धाय वाक्यं देवर्षेर्हर्षवेगेन धर्षितः । वार्ताहर्तुरतिप्रीतो हारं प्रादान्महाधनम् ॥ 9.38 ॥

śraddhāya vākyaṁ devarṣer harṣa-vegena dharṣitaḥ vārtā-hartur atiprīto hāraṁ prādān mahā-dhanam

Yet trusting the words of the divine sage, and overcome by the force of his joy, he gave the messenger who brought the news a necklace of the greatest value, well pleased.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.4.9.39)

सदश्वं रथमारुह्य कार्तस्वरपरिष्कृतम् । ब्राह्मणैः कुलवृद्धैश्च पर्यस्तोऽमात्यबन्धुभिः ॥ 9.39 ॥

sad-aśvaṁ ratham āruhya kārtasvara-pariṣkṛtam brāhmaṇaiḥ kula-vṛddhaiś ca paryasto ’mātya-bandhubhiḥ

Then, mounting a chariot yoked with fine horses and adorned with gold, and surrounded by brahmanas, the elders of his line, his ministers and kinsmen,

Verse 40 (bhagavata.4.9.40)

शङ्खदुन्दुभिनादेन ब्रह्मघोषेण वेणुभिः । निश्चक्राम पुरात्तूर्णमात्मजाभीक्षणोत्सुकः ॥ 9.40 ॥

śaṅkha-dundubhi-nādena brahma-ghoṣeṇa veṇubhiḥ niścakrāma purāt tūrṇam ātmajābhīkṣaṇotsukaḥ

amid the sound of conches and kettledrums, the chanting of the Veda and the notes of flutes, the King, eager to see his son again, went swiftly forth from the city.

Verse 41 (bhagavata.4.9.41)

सुनीतिः सुरुचिश्चास्य महिष्यौ रुक्मभूषिते । आरुह्य शिबिकां सार्धमुत्तमेनाभिजग्मतुः ॥ 9.41 ॥

sunītiḥ suruciś cāsya mahiṣyau rukma-bhūṣite āruhya śibikāṁ sārdham uttamenābhijagmatuḥ

Sunīti and Suruci, his two queens adorned with gold, together with Uttama, followed after him, seated upon a palanquin.

Verse 42 (bhagavata.4.9.42)

तं दृष्ट्वोपवनाभ्याश आयान्तं तरसा रथात् । अवरुह्य नृपस्तूर्णमासाद्य प्रेमविह्वलः ॥ 9.42 ॥

taṁ dṛṣṭvopavanābhyāśa āyāntaṁ tarasā rathāt avaruhya nṛpas tūrṇam āsādya prema-vihvalaḥ

Seeing him approaching near the outskirts of the forest, the King swiftly got down from his chariot and, overwhelmed with love, hastened toward him.

Verse 43 (bhagavata.4.9.43)

परिरेभेऽङ्गजं दोर्भ्यां दीर्घोत्कण्ठमनाः श्वसन् । विष्वक्सेनाङ्घ्रिसंस्पर्शहताशेषाघबन्धनम् ॥ 9.43 ॥

parirebhe ’ṅgajaṁ dorbhyāṁ dīrghotkaṇṭha-manāḥ śvasan viṣvaksenāṅghri-saṁsparśa- hatāśeṣāgha-bandhanam

Long overcome with yearning, breathing heavily, he embraced his son with both arms — that son whose every past sin had been destroyed by the touch of Vishnu's feet.

Verse 44 (bhagavata.4.9.44)

अथाजिघ्रन्मुहुर्मूर्ध्नि शीतैर्नयनवारिभिः । स्नापयामास तनयं जातोद्दाममनोरथः ॥ 9.44 ॥

athājighran muhur mūrdhni śītair nayana-vāribhiḥ snāpayām āsa tanayaṁ jātoddāma-manorathaḥ

Then, his long-cherished desire now fulfilled, he smelled his son's head again and again and bathed him with the cool waters flowing from his own eyes.

Verse 45 (bhagavata.4.9.45)

अभिवन्द्य पितुः पादावाशीर्भिश्चाभिमन्त्रितः । ननाम मातरौ शीर्ष्णा सत्कृतः सज्जनाग्रणीः ॥ 9.45 ॥

abhivandya pituḥ pādāv āśīrbhiś cābhimantritaḥ nanāma mātarau śīrṣṇā sat-kṛtaḥ saj-janāgraṇīḥ

Dhruva, foremost among the noble, first offered his obeisance at his father's feet and was blessed with many words, then bowed his head before his two mothers.

Verse 46 (bhagavata.4.9.46)

सुरुचिस्तं समुत्थाप्य पादावनतमर्भकम् । परिष्वज्याह जीवेति बाष्पगद्गदया गिरा ॥ 9.46 ॥

surucis taṁ samutthāpya pādāvanatam arbhakam pariṣvajyāha jīveti bāṣpa-gadgadayā girā

Suruci lifted up the child who had bowed at her feet, and embracing him she blessed him, her voice choked with tears: "Long may you live!"

Verse 47 (bhagavata.4.9.47)

यस्य प्रसन्नो भगवान् गुणैर्मैत्र्यादिभिर्हरिः । तस्मै नमन्ति भूतानि निम्नमाप इव स्वयम् ॥ 9.47 ॥

yasya prasanno bhagavān guṇair maitry-ādibhir hariḥ tasmai namanti bhūtāni nimnam āpa iva svayam

All beings naturally bow before one with whom Bhagavan Hari, possessed of such qualities as friendliness to all, is pleased — just as water of its own accord flows downward.

Verse 48 (bhagavata.4.9.48)

उत्तमश्च ध्रुवश्चोभावन्योन्यं प्रेमविह्वलौ । अङ्गसङ्गादुत्पुलकावस्रौघं मुहुरूहतुः ॥ 9.48 ॥

uttamaś ca dhruvaś cobhāv anyonyaṁ prema-vihvalau aṅga-saṅgād utpulakāv asraughaṁ muhur ūhatuḥ

Uttama and Dhruva, both overcome with love for one another, embraced, the hair of their bodies standing on end as tears flowed again and again.

Verse 49 (bhagavata.4.9.49)

सुनीतिरस्य जननी प्राणेभ्योऽपि प्रियं सुतम् । उपगुह्य जहावाधिं तदङ्गस्पर्शनिर्वृता ॥ 9.49 ॥

sunītir asya jananī prāṇebhyo ’pi priyaṁ sutam upaguhya jahāv ādhiṁ tad-aṅga-sparśa-nirvṛtā

Sunīti, his mother, embracing her son who was dearer to her than her own life, let go of all her long-held sorrow, made content by the touch of his body.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.4.9.50)

पयः स्तनाभ्यां सुस्राव नेत्रजैः सलिलैः शिवैः । तदाभिषिच्यमानाभ्यां वीर वीरसुवो मुहुः ॥ 9.50 ॥

payaḥ stanābhyāṁ susrāva netra-jaiḥ salilaiḥ śivaiḥ tadābhiṣicyamānābhyāṁ vīra vīra-suvo muhuḥ

O hero, as she thus embraced him, milk flowed repeatedly from her breasts along with the auspicious tears of her eyes, drenching the body of that mother of a hero.

Verse 51 (bhagavata.4.9.51)

तां शशंसुर्जना राज्ञीं दिष्टया ते पुत्र आर्तिहा । प्रतिलब्धश्चिरं नष्टो रक्षिता मण्डलं भुवः ॥ 9.51 ॥

tāṁ śaśaṁsur janā rājñīṁ diṣṭyā te putra ārti-hā pratilabdhaś ciraṁ naṣṭo rakṣitā maṇḍalaṁ bhuvaḥ

The people praised the Queen: How fortunate you are, O Queen, that your son, the destroyer of your sorrows, long lost, has now returned to you and shall protect the whole circle of the earth.

Verse 52 (bhagavata.4.9.52)

अभ्यर्चितस्त्वया नूनं भगवान्प्रणतार्तिहा । यदनुध्यायिनो धीरा मृत्युं जिग्युः सुदुर्जयम् ॥ 9.52 ॥

abhyarcitas tvayā nūnaṁ bhagavān praṇatārti-hā yad-anudhyāyino dhīrā mṛtyuṁ jigyuḥ sudurjayam

Surely you must have worshiped Bhagavan, the remover of the suffering of those who bow to Him, for those steadfast souls who meditate constantly upon Him alone conquer death, so difficult to overcome.

Verse 53 (bhagavata.4.9.53)

लाल्यमानं जनैरेवं ध्रुवं सभ्रातरं नृपः । आरोप्य करिणीं हृष्टः स्तूयमानोऽविशत्पुरम् ॥ 9.53 ॥

lālyamānaṁ janair evaṁ dhruvaṁ sabhrātaraṁ nṛpaḥ āropya kariṇīṁ hṛṣṭaḥ stūyamāno ’viśat puram

Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, as the people thus praised Dhruva together with his brother, the delighted King seated them both upon a she-elephant and, amid the praises of all, entered the city.

Verse 54 (bhagavata.4.9.54)

तत्र तत्रोपसंक्लृप्तैर्लसन्मकरतोरणैः । सवृन्दैः कदलीस्तम्भैः पूगपोतैश्च तद्विधैः ॥ 9.54 ॥

tatra tatropasaṅkḷptair lasan-makara-toraṇaiḥ savṛndaiḥ kadalī-stambhaiḥ pūga-potaiś ca tad-vidhaiḥ

Here and there stood gleaming arches shaped like sea-monsters, together with clusters of plantain trees bearing bunches of fruit, and areca-palm saplings arranged in the same manner.

Verse 55 (bhagavata.4.9.55)

चूतपल्लववासःस्रङ्मुक्तादामविलम्बिभिः । उपस्कृतं प्रतिद्वारमपां कुम्भैः सदीपकैः ॥ 9.55 ॥

cūta-pallava-vāsaḥ-sraṅ- muktā-dāma-vilambibhiḥ upaskṛtaṁ prati-dvāram apāṁ kumbhaiḥ sadīpakaiḥ

At every gateway, adorned with mango shoots, cloth, garlands and hanging strings of pearls, stood waterpots together with burning lamps.

Verse 56 (bhagavata.4.9.56)

प्राकारैर्गोपुरागारैः शातकुम्भपरिच्छदैः । सर्वतोऽलड़्क़ृतं श्रीमद्विमानशिखरद्युभिः ॥ 9.56 ॥

prākārair gopurāgāraiḥ śātakumbha-paricchadaiḥ sarvato ’laṅkṛtaṁ śrīmad- vimāna-śikhara-dyubhiḥ

With its ramparts, city gates and mansions overlaid in gold, the whole city was adorned on every side, glowing with the splendor of magnificent airborne domes.

Verse 57 (bhagavata.4.9.57)

मृष्टचत्वररथ्याट्टमार्गं चन्दनचर्चितम् । लाजाक्षतैः पुष्पफलैस्तण्डुलैर्बलिभिर्युतम् ॥ 9.57 ॥

mṛṣṭa-catvara-rathyāṭṭa- mārgaṁ candana-carcitam lājākṣataiḥ puṣpa-phalais taṇḍulair balibhir yutam

The squares, roads and raised paths of the city, cleansed and anointed with sandal paste, were strewn with parched grain, unbroken rice, flowers, fruits and other auspicious offerings.

Verse 58 (bhagavata.4.9.58)

ध्रुवाय पथि दृष्टाय तत्र तत्र पुरस्त्रियः । सिद्धार्थाक्षतदध्यम्बुदूर्वापुष्पफलानि च ॥ 9.58 ॥

dhruvāya pathi dṛṣṭāya tatra tatra pura-striyaḥ siddhārthākṣata-dadhy-ambu- dūrvā-puṣpa-phalāni ca

Wherever Dhruva was seen along the road, the women of the city, out of maternal affection, offered white mustard seed, unbroken rice, curd, water, fresh grass, fruits and flowers as blessings.

Verse 59 (bhagavata.4.9.59)

उपजह्रुः प्रयुञ्जाना वात्सल्यादाशिषः सतीः । शृण्वंस्तद्वल्गुगीतानि प्राविशद्भवनं पितुः ॥ 9.59 ॥

upajahruḥ prayuñjānā vātsalyād āśiṣaḥ satīḥ śṛṇvaṁs tad-valgu-gītāni prāviśad bhavanaṁ pituḥ

Listening to their sweet songs sung in blessing, Dhruva thus entered his father's palace.

Verse 60 (bhagavata.4.9.60)

महामणिव्रातमये स तस्मिन्भवनोत्तमे । लालितो नितरां पित्रा न्यवसद्दिवि देववत् ॥ 9.60 ॥

mahāmaṇi-vrātamaye sa tasmin bhavanottame lālito nitarāṁ pitrā nyavasad divi devavat

In that finest of mansions, built of a mass of precious gems, he was thereafter lovingly cared for by his father and dwelt there as a god dwells in heaven.

Verse 61 (bhagavata.4.9.61)

पयःफेननिभाः शय्या दान्ता रुक्मपरिच्छदाः । आसनानि महार्हाणि यत्र रौक्मा उपस्कराः ॥ 9.61 ॥

payaḥ-phena-nibhāḥ śayyā dāntā rukma-paricchadāḥ āsanāni mahārhāṇi yatra raukmā upaskarāḥ

The beds there were as white as the foam of milk, self-controlled attendants stood ready, and the couches, overlaid with gold, and other furnishings were likewise of gold.

Verse 62 (bhagavata.4.9.62)

यत्र स्फटिककुड्येषु महामारकतेषु च । मणिप्रदीपा आभान्ति ललनारत्नसंयुताः ॥ 9.62 ॥

yatra sphaṭika-kuḍyeṣu mahā-mārakateṣu ca maṇi-pradīpā ābhānti lalanā-ratna-saṁyutāḥ

On its crystal walls, inlaid with great emeralds, jeweled lamps shone, held by figures of women wrought in gems.

Verse 63 (bhagavata.4.9.63)

उद्यानानि च रम्याणि विचित्रैरमरद्रुमैः । कूजद्विहङ्गमिथुनैर्गायन्मत्तमधुव्रतैः ॥ 9.63 ॥

udyānāni ca ramyāṇi vicitrair amara-drumaiḥ kūjat-vihaṅga-mithunair gāyan-matta-madhuvrataiḥ

There were delightful gardens filled with wondrous celestial trees, alive with pairs of cooing birds and the singing of intoxicated bees.

Verse 64 (bhagavata.4.9.64)

वाप्यो वैदूर्यसोपानाः पद्मोत्पलकुमुद्वतीः । हंसकारण्डवकुलैर्जुष्टाश्चक्राह्वसारसैः ॥ 9.64 ॥

vāpyo vaidūrya-sopānāḥ padmotpala-kumud-vatīḥ haṁsa-kāraṇḍava-kulair juṣṭāś cakrāhva-sārasaiḥ

There were pools with staircases of beryl, filled with lotuses, blue lilies and white water lilies, frequented by flocks of swans, karandavas, cakravakas and cranes.

Verse 65 (bhagavata.4.9.65)

उत्तानपादो राजर्षिः प्रभावं तनयस्य तम् । श्रुत्वा दृष्ट्वाद्भुततमं प्रपेदे विस्मयं परम् ॥ 9.65 ॥

uttānapādo rājarṣiḥ prabhāvaṁ tanayasya tam śrutvā dṛṣṭvādbhutatamaṁ prapede vismayaṁ param

The royal sage Uttanapada, hearing of and beholding for himself the extraordinary influence of his son, was filled with the greatest wonder.

Verse 66 (bhagavata.4.9.66)

वीक्ष्योढवयसं तं च प्रकृतीनां च सम्मतम् । अनुरक्तप्रजं राजा ध्रुवं चक्रे भुवः पतिम् ॥ 9.66 ॥

vīkṣyoḍha-vayasaṁ taṁ ca prakṛtīnāṁ ca sammatam anurakta-prajaṁ rājā dhruvaṁ cakre bhuvaḥ patim

Seeing that Dhruva had reached full maturity, was esteemed by the ministers, and was beloved of the citizens, the King made him lord of the earth.

Verse 67 (bhagavata.4.9.67)

आत्मानं च प्रवयसमाकलय्य विशाम्पतिः । वनं विरक्तः प्रातिष्ठद्विमृशन्नात्मनो गतिम् ॥ 9.67 ॥

ātmānaṁ ca pravayasam ākalayya viśāmpatiḥ vanaṁ viraktaḥ prātiṣṭhad vimṛśann ātmano gatim

Then the lord of men, reckoning his own advancing age and reflecting upon the course proper to his soul, detached himself and set out for the forest.