Shloka 64

Dhruva’s Darśana, Transformative Prayers, and the Boon of the Dhruva-loka

Pole Star

Devanagari script

वाप्यो वैदूर्यसोपाना: पद्मोत्पलकुमुद्वती: । हंसकारण्डवकुलैर्जुष्टाश्चक्राह्वसारसै: ॥ ६४ ॥

Transliteration

vāpyo vaidūrya-sopānāḥ padmotpala-kumud-vatīḥ haṁsa-kāraṇḍava-kulair juṣṭāś cakrāhva-sārasaiḥ

Translation

There were lakes approached by stairways of vaidūrya; they were filled with lotuses, utpalas, and kumudas, and within them were seen swans, kāraṇḍavas, cakravākas, sārasa cranes, and other precious birds.

Synonyms

• वाप्यः: ponds
• वाप्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वापी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• वैदूर्यसोपानाः: having vaidūrya (cat’s-eye gem) steps
• वैदूर्यसोपानाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैदूर्य-सोपान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् वाप्यः; वैदूर्यस्य सोपानाः (genitive-tatpuruṣa)

• पद्मोत्पलकुमुद्वतीः: abounding in lotuses, blue lotuses, and white lotuses
• पद्मोत्पलकुमुद्वतीः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म-उत्पल-कुमुद-वती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् वाप्यः; पद्मैः उत्पलैः कुमुदैः च वतीः (possessive sense; treated as tatpuruṣa in listing compound)

• हंसकारण्डवकुलैः: with flocks of swans and kāraṇḍava ducks
• हंसकारण्डवकुलैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हंस-काण्डव(कारण्डव)-कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; हंसाः च कारण्डवाः च (dvandva) तेषां कुलैः

• जुष्टाः: frequented
• जुष्टाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जुष्ट (कृदन्त; √जुष् धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् वाप्यः

• चक्राह्वसारसैः: by cakravāka birds and cranes
• चक्राह्वसारसैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्राह्व-सारस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; चक्राह्वाः च सारसाः च (dvandva)

Purport

It appears that not only was the palace surrounded by compounds and gardens with varieties of trees, but there were small man-made lakes also, where the water was full of many-colored lotus flowers and lilies, and to get down to the lakes there were staircases made of valuable jewels such as emeralds. By the beautifully positioned garden houses there were many luxuriant birds, such as swans, cakravākas, kāraṇḍavas and cranes. These birds generally do not live in filthy places like crows do. The atmosphere of the city was very healthy and beautiful; it can simply be imagined from its description.

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the beauty of Dhruva Maharaja’s kingdom?

This verse describes jewel-stepped ponds filled with many kinds of lotuses and graced by swans, ducks, cakravāka birds, and cranes—portraying Dhruva’s realm as extraordinarily pure and auspicious.

Why is Śukadeva Gosvāmī describing ponds, lotuses, and birds in this chapter?

He is narrating the opulence and sanctity surrounding Dhruva Mahārāja after his devotion and divine blessings, using sacred natural imagery to convey a Vaikuṇṭha-like atmosphere.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Cultivate purity and devotion so your environment becomes uplifting—beauty, harmony, and serenity naturally follow when life is aligned with bhakti and dharma.