Shloka 47
Dhruva’s Darśana, Transformative Prayers, and the Boon of the Dhruva-loka
Pole Star
यस्य प्रसन्नो भगवान् गुणैर्मैत्र्यादिभिर्हरि: । तस्मै नमन्ति भूतानि निम्नमाप इव स्वयम् ॥ ४७ ॥
yasya prasanno bhagavān guṇair maitry-ādibhir hariḥ tasmai namanti bhūtāni nimnam āpa iva svayam
To one with whom Bhagavān Hari is pleased by virtues such as friendliness, all living beings naturally offer honor—just as water, by its own nature, flows downward.
The question may be raised in this connection why Suruci, who was not at all favorably disposed towards Dhruva, blessed him, “Long may you live,” which means that she also desired good fortune for him. The answer is given in this verse. Since Dhruva Mahārāja was blessed by the Lord, due to his transcendental qualities everyone was bound to offer him all respects and benediction, just as water, by its nature, flows downward. A devotee of the Lord does not demand respect from anyone, but wherever he goes he is honored by everyone throughout the whole world with all respect. Śrīnivāsa Ācārya said that the Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana are respected throughout the entire universe because a devotee, having pleased the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of all emanations, automatically pleases everyone, and thus everyone offers him respect.
FAQs
This verse says Lord Hari is pleased by saintly qualities such as maitrī (friendliness) and related virtues, and such divine pleasure becomes the real cause of a devotee’s influence.
He explains that when the Lord is pleased, respect comes naturally and effortlessly—like water that automatically runs to a lower level—without the devotee needing to demand honor.
Cultivate friendliness, humility, and integrity as offerings to God; then let recognition (or lack of it) come naturally, focusing on pleasing the Lord rather than chasing status.