Shloka 36
यद्भ्राजमानं स्वरुचैव सर्वतो लोकास्त्रयो ह्यनु विभ्राजन्त एते । यन्नाव्रजञ्जन्तुषु येऽननुग्रहा व्रजन्ति भद्राणि चरन्ति येऽनिशम् ॥ ३६ ॥
yad bhrājamānaṁ sva-rucaiva sarvato lokās trayo hy anu vibhrājanta ete yan nāvrajañ jantuṣu ye ’nanugrahā vrajanti bhadrāṇi caranti ye ’niśam
The Vaikuṇṭha planets are self-effulgent, and by their radiance alone the three worlds’ luminaries shine in reflection. Yet those without mercy toward living beings cannot reach them; only those who ceaselessly act for the welfare of all creatures attain Vaikuṇṭha.
Here is a description of two aspects of the Vaikuṇṭha planets. The first is that in the Vaikuṇṭha sky there is no need of the sun and moon. This is confirmed by the Upaniṣads as well as Bhagavad-gītā ( na tad bhāsayate sūryo na śaśāṅko na pāvakaḥ ). In the spiritual world the Vaikuṇṭhalokas are themselves illuminated; there is therefore no need of sun, moon or electric light. It is in fact the illumination of the Vaikuṇṭhalokas which is reflected in the material sky. Only by this reflection are the suns in the material universes illuminated; after the illumination of the sun, all the stars and moons are illuminated. In other words, all the luminaries in the material sky borrow illumination from Vaikuṇṭhaloka. From this material world, however, people can be transferred to the Vaikuṇṭhaloka, if they incessantly engage in welfare activities for all other living entities. Such incessant welfare activities can really be performed only in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. There is no philanthropic work within this material world but Kṛṣṇa consciousness that can engage a person twenty-four hours a day.
FAQs
This verse teaches that the Lord’s own radiance sustains and illumines the worlds, but only those who have His favor naturally turn toward Him and progress in auspicious conduct.
In Dhruva’s concluding narrative, Śukadeva highlights that Dhruva’s upliftment and auspicious destination are ultimately rooted in the Lord’s grace—without which living beings do not move toward Him.
Cultivate actions that invite grace—steady devotion, humility, and dharmic living—because spiritual progress is sustained not merely by effort but by aligning oneself with the Lord’s auspicious guidance.