Shloka 51
Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction
स्मयमानमभिध्यायेत्सानुरागावलोकनम् । नियतेनैकभूतेन मनसा वरदर्षभम् ॥ ५१ ॥
smayamānam abhidhyāyet sānurāgāvalokanam niyatenaika-bhūtena manasā varadarṣabham
One should meditate upon the Lord as ever-smiling, gazing upon His devotee with loving mercy. With a regulated, one-pointed mind, the meditator should behold the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the bestower of all benedictions.
The word niyatena is very significant in this connection, for it indicates that one should execute the meditation practice as stated above. One should not manufacture a way of meditation on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but should follow the authorized śāstras and personalities. By this prescribed method one can practice concentration upon the Lord until one is so fixed that he remains in trance, thinking always of the form of the Lord. The word used here is eka-bhūtena, which means “with great attention and concentration.” If one concentrates on the descriptions of the bodily features of the Lord, one will never fall down.
FAQs
This verse teaches that the mind should be disciplined and made one-pointed, meditating on the Lord as the supreme giver of grace, envisioned as smiling and looking upon the devotee with affectionate love.
Dhruva was undertaking intense austerities to attain the Lord; Nārada guided him toward bhakti-based meditation—fixing the mind on the compassionate, approachable form of Bhagavān rather than mere harsh austerity.
Set a daily time for focused japa or prayer, reduce distractions, and contemplate the Lord’s benevolent presence—especially His loving, reassuring glance—so the mind becomes steady and devotion deepens.