Shloka 27
Dhruva’s Darśana, Transformative Prayers, and the Boon of the Dhruva-loka
Pole Star
सोऽपि सङ्कल्पजं विष्णो: पादसेवोपसादितम् । प्राप्य सङ्कल्पनिर्वाणं नातिप्रीतोऽभ्यगात्पुरम् ॥ २७ ॥
so ’pi saṅkalpajaṁ viṣṇoḥ pāda-sevopasāditam prāpya saṅkalpa-nirvāṇaṁ nātiprīto ’bhyagāt puram
Though by serving Lord Viṣṇu’s lotus feet he attained the fruit born of his resolve, Dhruva Mahārāja was not greatly pleased; thus he returned to his own city.
By worshiping the lotus feet of the Lord in devotional service as instructed by Nārada Muni, Dhruva Mahārāja achieved the desired result. His desire was to get a very exalted position, excelling that of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and although it was a somewhat childish determination because Dhruva Mahārāja was nothing but a small child, Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is so kind and merciful that He fulfilled Dhruva’s desire. Dhruva Mahārāja wanted a residence more exalted than any ever occupied by anyone else in his family. Therefore he was offered the planet in which the Lord personally resides, and his determination was completely satisfied. Still, when Dhruva Mahārāja returned home he was not very much pleased, for although in pure devotional service there is no demand from the Lord, because of his childish nature he had demanded something. Thus although the Lord also fulfilled his desire, he was not very pleased. Rather, he was ashamed that he had demanded something from the Lord, for he should not have done this.
FAQs
This verse teaches that by serving Lord Viṣṇu’s lotus feet, one may even receive the results of one’s ambitions, yet the deeper fruit is that the material desire itself becomes extinguished (saṅkalpa-nirvāṇa).
Because his devotion matured—having seen and served Viṣṇu, his earlier ambition was pacified, so he returned home with steadiness rather than worldly excitement.
Pursue duties and goals while anchoring them in devotion—regular prayer, chanting, and service—so achievements do not inflate ego and desires gradually lose their grip.