Shloka 12
Dhruva’s Darśana, Transformative Prayers, and the Boon of the Dhruva-loka
Pole Star
ते न स्मरन्त्यतितरां प्रियमीश मर्त्यं ये चान्वद: सुतसुहृद्गृहवित्तदारा: । ये त्वब्जनाभ भवदीयपदारविन्द सौगन्ध्यलुब्धहृदयेषु कृतप्रसङ्गा: ॥ १२ ॥
te na smaranty atitarāṁ priyam īśa martyaṁ ye cānv adaḥ suta-suhṛd-gṛha-vitta-dārāḥ ye tv abja-nābha bhavadīya-padāravinda- saugandhya-lubdha-hṛdayeṣu kṛta-prasaṅgāḥ
O Lord of the lotus navel, one who associates with a devotee whose heart is greedy for the fragrance of Your lotus feet never becomes attached to the material body, nor to bodily relations—children, friends, home, wealth, and wife—so dear to the worldly; indeed, he cares nothing for them.
A special advantage in devotional service is that devotees not only enjoy the transcendental pastimes of the Lord by hearing and chanting and glorifying them, but also are not very much attached to their bodies, unlike the yogīs, who are too attached to the body and who think that by performing bodily gymnastic exercises they will advance in spiritual consciousness. Yogīs are generally not very much interested in devotional service; they want to regulate the breathing process. This is simply a bodily concern. Here Dhruva Mahārāja plainly says that a devotee has no more bodily interest. He knows that he is not the body. Therefore from the very beginning, without wasting time in bodily exercises, a devotee searches out a pure devotee and simply by his association becomes more advanced in spiritual consciousness than any yogī. Because a devotee knows that he is not the body, he is never affected by bodily happiness or distress. He is not interested in bodily relationships with wife, children, home, bank balance, etc., or in the distress and happiness which come from these things. This is the special advantage of being a devotee. This status of life is possible only when a person is interested in associating with a pure devotee, who always enjoys the fragrance of the lotus feet of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse says that those absorbed day and night in children, friends, home, wealth, and spouse generally do not remember the Lord as the soul’s dearmost goal.
Dhruva explains that remembrance of the Lord becomes strong when one connects with devotees whose hearts are enchanted by the Lord’s lotus feet—sadhu-saṅga awakens devotion.
Reduce exclusive absorption in possessions and relationships, and intentionally seek saintly company (teachings, satsanga, worship) so remembrance of the Lord becomes natural.