Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 32
Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction
अतो निवर्ततामेष निर्बन्धस्तव निष्फल: । यतिष्यति भवान् काले श्रेयसां समुपस्थिते ॥ ३२ ॥
ato nivartatām eṣa nirbandhas tava niṣphalaḥ yatiṣyati bhavān kāle śreyasāṁ samupasthite
For this reason, my dear boy, you should not endeavor for this; it will not be successful. It is better that you go home. When you are grown up, by the mercy of the Lord you will get a chance for these mystic performances. At that time you may execute this function.
Generally, a thoroughly trained person takes to spiritual perfection at the end of his life. According to the Vedic system, therefore, life is divided into four stages. In the beginning, one becomes a brahmacārī, a student who studies Vedic knowledge under the authoritative guidance of a spiritual master. He then becomes a householder and executes household duties according to the Vedic process. Then the householder becomes a vānaprastha, and gradually, when he is mature, he renounces household life and vānaprastha life also and takes to sannyāsa, completely devoting himself to devotional service.
FAQs
It warns that mere obstinacy (nirbandha) can be fruitless (niṣphala) and advises turning one’s effort toward true welfare (śreyas) when the right time and maturity arise.
Suniti, seeing Dhruva’s intense fixation after being insulted, tried to calm him and redirect him—teaching that forceful insistence driven by hurt may not succeed, and that real auspicious progress comes with proper timing and higher purpose.
Pause before acting from wounded pride, reassess whether the goal is merely immediate gratification or true long-term good (śreyas), and then choose disciplined effort aligned with values—rather than impulsive insistence.