Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 56

Dhruva’s Darśana, Transformative Prayers, and the Boon of the Dhruva-loka

Pole Star

Devanagari script

प्राकारैर्गोपुरागारै: शातकुम्भपरिच्छदै: । सर्वतोऽलड़्क़ृतं श्रीमद्विमानशिखरद्युभि: ॥ ५६ ॥

Transliteration

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

Translation

ৰাজধানীৰ প্ৰাকাৰ, গোপুৰ আৰু অট্টালিকাসমূহ অতি সুন্দৰ আছিল; এই উপলক্ষে সিহঁতক সৰ্বত্র সোণালী অলংকাৰৰে সজোৱা হৈছিল। নগৰৰ অট্টালিকাৰ শিখৰ আৰু ওপৰত ভাসি থকা দিব্য বিমানৰ শিখৰো ঝলমল কৰিছিল।

Synonyms

• प्राकारैः: with ramparts/walls
• प्राकारैः: करण (Instrument/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन

• गोपुर-आगारैः: with gateways and buildings
• गोपुर-आगारैः: करण (Instrument/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोपुर (प्रातिपदिक) + आगार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समासः (itaretara): ‘गोपुराणि च आगाराणि च’; तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• शातकुम्भ-परिच्छदैः: with golden adornments/furnishings
• शातकुम्भ-परिच्छदैः: करण (Instrument/means)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शातकुम्भ (प्रातिपदिक) + परिच्छद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः: ‘शातकुम्भस्य परिच्छदाः’ (golden furnishings/coverings); तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• सर्वतः: on all sides
• सर्वतः: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सर्वदिक्/सर्वतः-देशवाचक (adverb: on all sides)

• अलङ्कृतम्: adorned, ornamented
• अलङ्कृतम्: विशेषण (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अलङ्+कृ (धातु) → अलङ्कृत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकाले कर्मणि क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; नगर/पुर-आदि (पूर्वोक्त) वस्तुनः विशेषणम्

• श्रीमत्-विमान-शिखर-द्युभिः: by the radiance of splendid palace-spires
• श्रीमत्-विमान-शिखर-द्युभिः: करण (Instrument/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीमत् (प्रातिपदिक) + विमान (प्रातिपदिक) + शिखर (प्रातिपदिक) + द्यु/द्युत् (प्रातिपदिक: द्युति)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समासः: ‘श्रीमन्ति विमानशिखराणि तेषां द्युभिः/द्युतिभिः’ (by the splendors of the glorious palace-tops); तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

Purport

Regarding the mention of airplanes here, it is suggested by Śrīmad Vijayadhvaja Tīrtha that on this occasion the demigods from higher planetary systems also came in their airplanes to bestow their blessings on Dhruva Mahārāja on his arrival at the capital of his father. It also appears that all the domes of the city palaces as well as the pinnacles of the airplanes were decorated with ornamental work in gold, and, being reflected by the sunshine, they were all glittering. We can observe a specific distinction between Dhruva Mahārāja’s time and modern days, for the airplanes in those days were made of gold, whereas at the present moment airplanes are made of base aluminum. This just gives a hint of the opulence of Dhruva Mahārāja’s days and the poverty of modern times.

Characters & Entities

• Dhruva Mahārāja

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam describe about Dhruva Maharaja’s kingdom in Canto 4 Chapter 9?

This verse depicts Dhruva’s realm as magnificently built—fortified with walls and gateways, adorned with gold, and shining with radiant, lofty structures—showing the opulence that can accompany the Lord’s favor.

Why is Śukadeva Gosvāmī describing such opulence in the Dhruva story?

Śukadeva highlights the visible glory surrounding Dhruva to show how a devotee’s life becomes auspicious and honored after attaining the Lord’s mercy—while the deeper emphasis remains Dhruva’s devotion, not mere wealth.

How can a devotee apply the message of this shloka in modern life?

See prosperity and beauty as gifts to be used in service and gratitude; cultivate devotion as the true goal, and treat external success as secondary to inner purity and dedication to Bhagavān.