Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 9
Dhruva’s Benediction from Kuvera and His Ascension to Viṣṇuloka
Dhruvaloka
तस्य प्रीतेन मनसा तां दत्त्वैडविडस्तत: । पश्यतोऽन्तर्दधे सोऽपि स्वपुरं प्रत्यपद्यत ॥ ९ ॥
tasya prītena manasā tāṁ dattvaiḍaviḍas tataḥ paśyato ’ntardadhe so ’pi sva-puraṁ pratyapadyata
ইডভিডার পুত্র কুবের ধ্রুবের প্রতি অত্যন্ত প্রসন্ন হলেন; আনন্দচিত্তে তিনি সেই বর দান করলেন। তারপর ধ্রুবের চোখের সামনেই তিনি অন্তর্ধান করলেন, আর ধ্রুব মহারাজও নিজের রাজধানীতে ফিরে গেলেন।
Kuvera, who is known as the son of Iḍaviḍā, was very pleased with Dhruva Mahārāja because he did not ask him for anything materially enjoyable. Kuvera is one of the demigods, so one may put forward the argument, “Why did Dhruva Mahārāja take a benediction from a demigod?” The answer is that for a Vaiṣṇava there is no objection to taking a benediction from a demigod if it is favorable for advancing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The gopīs, for example, worshiped Kātyāyanī, a demigoddess, but the only benediction they wanted from the goddess was to have Kṛṣṇa as their husband. A Vaiṣṇava is not interested in asking any benediction from the demigods, nor is he interested in asking benedictions from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is said in the Bhāgavatam that liberation can be offered by the Supreme Person, but even if a pure devotee is offered liberation by the Supreme Lord, he refuses to accept it. Dhruva Mahārāja did not ask Kuvera for transference to the spiritual world, which is called liberation; he simply asked that wherever he would remain — whether in the spiritual or material world — he would always remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A Vaiṣṇava is always respectful to everyone. So when Kuvera offered him a benediction, he did not refuse it. But he wanted something which would be favorable to his advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
FAQs
This verse shows how outcomes can unfold instantly by higher arrangement—Aiḍaviḍa grants the maiden and then vanishes—highlighting that unseen beings and providence can swiftly change a devotee’s situation.
In the narrative, the Yakṣa completes his purpose (bestowing the maiden) and then returns to his own realm, indicating the swift, otherworldly movement of celestial beings in Bhagavata accounts.
Do your duty with a steady heart; when grace or help arrives, accept it without obsession—circumstances and helpers may come and go quickly, but dharma and devotion keep one grounded.