Shloka 45
Dhruva’s Darśana, Transformative Prayers, and the Boon of the Dhruva-loka
Pole Star
अभिवन्द्य पितु: पादावाशीर्भिश्चाभिमन्त्रित: । ननाम मातरौ शीर्ष्णा सत्कृत: सज्जनाग्रणी: ॥ ४५ ॥
abhivandya pituḥ pādāv āśīrbhiś cābhimantritaḥ nanāma mātarau śīrṣṇā sat-kṛtaḥ saj-janāgraṇīḥ
Then Dhruva Mahārāja, foremost among the noble, first bowed at his father’s feet and received his blessings. Honored by his father, he then lowered his head and offered obeisances at the feet of his two mothers as well.
It may be questioned why Dhruva Mahārāja offered his respect not only to his mother but also to his stepmother, due to whose insults he had to leave home. The answer is that after achieving perfection by self-realization and seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face, Dhruva Mahārāja was completely freed from all contamination of material desire. Feelings of insult or honor in this material world are never perceived by a devotee. Lord Caitanya therefore says that one has to be humbler than the grass and, He recommends, more tolerant than the tree to execute devotional service. Dhruva Mahārāja, therefore, has in this verse been described as saj-janāgraṇīḥ, the foremost of noble men. The pure devotee is the noblest of all, and he has no feelings of animosity towards anyone. Duality due to animosity is a creation of this material world. There is no such thing in the spiritual world, which is the absolute reality.
FAQs
This verse shows Dhruva offering obeisances to his father’s feet and bowing to both his mothers, teaching that humility and honoring elders are essential qualities of a saintly devotee.
After attaining the Lord’s mercy and returning home, Dhruva behaved as a sajjanāgraṇī—he honored even Suruci, who had once insulted him, demonstrating forgiveness and proper conduct.
Practice devotional humility by speaking respectfully to parents/guardians, seeking blessings, and responding to past hurt with dignity and forgiveness rather than resentment.