Shloka 4
Dhruva’s War with the Yakṣas and the Protection of the Holy Name
ध्रुवो भ्रातृवधं श्रुत्वा कोपामर्षशुचार्पित: । जैत्रं स्यन्दनमास्थाय गत: पुण्यजनालयम् ॥ ४ ॥
dhruvo bhrātṛ-vadhaṁ śrutvā kopāmarṣa-śucārpitaḥ jaitraṁ syandanam āsthāya gataḥ puṇya-janālayam
Hearing of his brother Uttama’s slaying, Dhruva Mahārāja, overwhelmed by grief and wrath, mounted his victorious chariot and set out for Alakāpurī, the city of the Yakṣas, to conquer it.
Dhruva Mahārāja’s becoming angry, overwhelmed with grief, and envious of the enemies was not incompatible with his position as a great devotee. It is a misunderstanding that a devotee should not be angry, envious or overwhelmed by lamentation. Dhruva Mahārāja was the king, and when his brother was unceremoniously killed, it was his duty to take revenge against the Yakṣas from the Himālayas.
FAQs
After hearing of his brother’s death, Dhruva—overcome by anger and grief—mounted his chariot and went toward the region associated with the Puṇyajanas (Śiva’s followers), indicating his intent to confront those connected with the killing.
Puṇyajanas refers to the “pious beings,” commonly used for the attendants or followers of Lord Śiva; in this narrative it points to the realm/association linked with the Yakṣa-related conflict.
The verse shows how grief can quickly turn into anger and impulsive action; it encourages self-awareness—pausing before acting—so that justice is pursued without being ruled by rage.