Shloka 18
Dhruva’s Benediction from Kuvera and His Ascension to Viṣṇuloka
Dhruvaloka
भक्तिं हरौ भगवति प्रवहन्नजस्र- मानन्दबाष्पकलया मुहुरर्द्यमान: । विक्लिद्यमानहृदय: पुलकाचिताङ्गो नात्मानमस्मरदसाविति मुक्तलिङ्ग: ॥ १८ ॥
bhaktiṁ harau bhagavati pravahann ajasram ānanda-bāṣpa-kalayā muhur ardyamānaḥ viklidyamāna-hṛdayaḥ pulakācitāṅgo nātmānam asmarad asāv iti mukta-liṅgaḥ
As his bhakti to Hari flowed without cease, tears of transcendental bliss streamed from Dhruva Mahārāja’s eyes; his heart melted and his body thrilled with romāñca. Absorbed in devotional samādhi, he forgot bodily existence and at once became freed from material bondage.
Due to constant engagement in devotional service — hearing, chanting, remembering, worshiping the Deity, etc., as prescribed in nine varieties — there are different symptoms which appear in the body of a devotee. These eight bodily transformations, which indicate that a devotee is already liberated within himself, are called aṣṭa-sāttvika-vikāra. When a devotee completely forgets his bodily existence, he should be understood to be liberated. He is no longer encaged in the body. The example is given that when a coconut becomes completely dry, the coconut pulp within the coconut shell separates from the bondage of the shell and the outer covering. By moving the dry coconut, one can hear that the pulp within is no longer attached to the shell or to the covering. Similarly, when one is fully absorbed in devotional service, he is completely disconnected from the two material coverings, the subtle and gross bodies. Dhruva Mahārāja actually attained this stage of life by constantly discharging devotional service. He has already been described as a mahā-bhāgavata, for unless one becomes a mahā-bhāgavata, or a first-class pure devotee, these symptoms are not visible. Lord Caitanya exhibited all these symptoms. Ṭhākura Haridāsa also exhibited them, and there are many pure devotees who manifested such bodily symptoms. They are not to be imitated, but when one is actually advanced, these symptoms are exhibited. At that time it is to be understood that a devotee is materially free. Of course, from the beginning of devotional service the path of liberation immediately opens, just as the coconut taken from the tree immediately begins to dry; it simply takes some time for the shell and pulp to separate from one another.
FAQs
This verse describes continuous devotion to Hari expressing itself as spiritual ecstasy—tears of bliss, melting of the heart, and horripilation—culminating in forgetfulness of bodily identity.
Because absorbed in devotion to Bhagavān, he no longer identified with the body and ego; such self-forgetful God-consciousness is presented as freedom from material coverings.
Practice steady remembrance of Hari through nāma-japa, kīrtana, and scripture hearing; as attachment to the Lord deepens, anxiety and ego-centered identity loosen, bringing inner freedom.