Shloka 31
The Pracetās Meet Lord Viṣṇu—Benedictions, Pure Prayer, and the Birth of Dakṣa
वरं वृणीमहेऽथापि नाथ त्वत्परत: परात् । न ह्यन्तस्त्वद्विभूतीनां सोऽनन्त इति गीयसे ॥ ३१ ॥
varaṁ vṛṇīmahe ’thāpi nātha tvat parataḥ parāt na hy antas tvad-vibhūtīnāṁ so ’nanta iti gīyase
O Lord, we pray for Your benediction, for You are the Supreme beyond all transcendence. Your opulences have no end; therefore You are glorified as Ananta, the Infinite.
There was no need for the Pracetās to ask any benediction from the Supreme Lord because the devotees are simply satisfied by the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Dhruva Mahārāja practiced severe austerities and penances to see the Supreme Lord, and his intention was to receive benediction from the Lord. He wanted to acquire the throne of his father — or attain an even better position — but when he was actually in the presence of the Supreme Lord, he forgot everything. He said, “My dear Lord, I do not wish to ask any benediction.” This is the actual position of the devotee. The devotee simply wants to be in the presence of the Supreme Lord — either in this world or in the next — and engage in His service. That is the ultimate goal and benediction for the devotees.
FAQs
This verse teaches that the greatest boon is exclusive devotion to the Lord—something ‘beyond the highest’ material benedictions.
Having realized the Lord’s unlimited greatness, they sought the supreme gift—steadfast devotion—rather than temporary, finite rewards.
Remembering the Lord as unlimited helps shift priorities from chasing limited gains to cultivating steady devotion, gratitude, and spiritual focus.