Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 20
Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction
यस्याङ्घ्रि पद्मं परिचर्य विश्व विभावनायात्तगुणाभिपत्ते: । अजोऽध्यतिष्ठत्खलु पारमेष्ठ्यं पदं जितात्मश्वसनाभिवन्द्यम् ॥ २० ॥
yasyāṅghri-padmaṁ paricarya viśva- vibhāvanāyātta-guṇābhipatteḥ ajo ’dhyatiṣṭhat khalu pārameṣṭhyaṁ padaṁ jitātma-śvasanābhivandyam
Le Seigneur Suprême est si grand que, par le service de Ses pieds de lotus, ton bisaïeul Brahmā acquit les qualités pour créer l’univers. Bien qu’inengendré, il tient ce rang par la miséricorde du Seigneur, que vénèrent les yogis maîtrisant le mental et le prāṇa.
Sunīti cited the example of Lord Brahmā, who was Dhruva Mahārāja’s great-grandfather. Although Lord Brahmā is also a living being, by his penance and austerity he acquired the exalted position of creator of this universe by the mercy of the Supreme Lord. To become successful in any attempt, one not only has to undergo severe penances and austerities, but also must be dependent on the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This indication had been given to Dhruva Mahārāja by his stepmother and was now confirmed by his own mother, Sunīti.
FAQs
This verse states that even Brahmā attained his supreme cosmic post by serving the Lord’s lotus feet, showing bhakti as the root cause of all true elevation.
He highlights Brahmā as an example that the greatest achievements—even the post of universal creator—come from devotion to the Lord, encouraging Dhruva’s single-minded bhakti.
Practice steady bhakti—hearing, chanting, and offering daily work to God—because spiritual qualities and lasting success arise from devotion rather than mere self-effort.