Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 32
Dhruva’s Darśana, Transformative Prayers, and the Boon of the Dhruva-loka
Pole Star
मतिर्विदूषिता देवै: पतद्भिरसहिष्णुभि: । यो नारदवचस्तथ्यं नाग्राहिषमसत्तम: ॥ ३२ ॥
matir vidūṣitā devaiḥ patadbhir asahiṣṇubhiḥ yo nārada-vacas tathyaṁ nāgrāhiṣam asattamaḥ
Selbst die Halbgötter der höheren Welten müssen wieder herabsteigen; darum beneiden sie, dass ich durch Bhakti nach Vaikuṇṭha erhoben werde. Diese intoleranten Devas haben meinen Verstand verwirrt; nur deshalb konnte ich den echten Segen der wahrhaftigen Unterweisung des Weisen Nārada nicht annehmen.
As shown by many instances in the Vedic literature, when a person undergoes severe austerities, the demigods become very much perturbed because they are always afraid of losing their posts as the predominating deities of the heavenly planets. It is known to them that their position in the higher planetary system is impermanent, as it is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, Ninth Chapter ( kṣīṇe puṇye martya-lokaṁ viśanti ). It is said in the Gītā that after exhausting the results of their pious activities, all the demigods, who are inhabitants of the higher planetary system, have to come back again to this earth.
FAQs
This verse says Dhruva’s mind became polluted by intolerant devas, showing that envy and competition can distort judgment and make one reject truthful spiritual guidance.
Dhruva admits that due to contaminated intelligence—fueled by intolerance and rivalry—he failed to recognize Nārada’s truthful counsel as authoritative at that time.
When pride, comparison, or others’ jealousy influences us, we may dismiss good advice; this verse teaches self-audit, humility, and returning to genuine guidance from saintly teachers.