Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 67
Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction
अहो मे बत दौरात्म्यं स्त्रीजितस्योपधारय । योऽङ्कं प्रेम्णारुरुक्षन्तं नाभ्यनन्दमसत्तम: ॥ ६७ ॥
aho me bata daurātmyaṁ strī-jitasyopadhāraya yo ’ṅkaṁ premṇārurukṣantaṁ nābhyanandam asattamaḥ
Alas, just see how I was conquered by my wife! Just imagine my cruelty! Out of love and affection the boy was trying to get up on my lap, but I did not receive him, nor did I even pat him for a moment. Just imagine how hardhearted I am.
FAQs
This verse shows sincere remorse: Uttānapāda condemns his own behavior and admits his failure to respond to Dhruva’s loving approach, modeling accountability and the need to rectify wrongdoing.
After Dhruva was insulted and left home, the king realized he had been controlled by Suruci’s influence and had neglected Dhruva; he confesses his fault to Sunīti in grief and regret.
It teaches self-reflection and responsibility: do not let favoritism or external pressure harm relationships, and when you fail someone—especially a dependent—admit it promptly and act to make amends.