Shloka 35
Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction
ध्रुव उवाच सोऽयं शमो भगवता सुखदु:खहतात्मनाम् । दर्शित: कृपया पुंसां दुर्दर्शोऽस्मद्विधैस्तु य: ॥ ३५ ॥
dhruva uvāca so ’yaṁ śamo bhagavatā sukha-duḥkha-hatātmanām darśitaḥ kṛpayā puṁsāṁ durdarśo ’smad-vidhais tu yaḥ
Dhruva Mahārāja said: Dear Nāradajī, for one whose heart is disturbed by material happiness and distress, the means of peace you have mercifully taught is certainly excellent. But I am covered by ignorance, and such philosophy does not touch my heart.
There are various classes of men. One class is called akāmīs, referring to those who have no material desire. Desire must exist, either material or spiritual. Material desire arises when one wants to satisfy one’s personal senses. One who is ready to sacrifice anything to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be said to have spiritual desire. Dhruva did not accept the instruction given by the great saint Nārada because he thought himself unfit for such instruction, which prohibited all material desires. It is not a fact, however, that those who have material desires are prohibited from worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the essential instruction from the life of Dhruva. He frankly admitted that his heart was full of material desires. He was very much affected by the cruel words of his stepmother, whereas those who are spiritually advanced do not care about anyone’s condemnation or adoration.
FAQs
This verse teaches that true peace is granted by Bhagavan and becomes manifest in those whose hearts are purified through life’s happiness and distress, culminating in the Lord’s merciful revelation.
Dhruva acknowledges the Lord’s transcendence and the limitation of ordinary qualification; the Lord is not attained by mere human effort but is revealed by His compassion to the sincere seeker.
Treat both success and hardship as purifying teachers, remain steady in devotion, and seek inner peace through sincere prayer—recognizing that spiritual realization ultimately depends on divine grace.