Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 53

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

Pole Star

Devanagari script

लाल्यमानं जनैरेवं ध्रुवं सभ्रातरं नृप: । आरोप्य करिणीं हृष्ट: स्तूयमानोऽविशत्पुरम् ॥ ५३ ॥

Transliteration

lālyamānaṁ janair evaṁ dhruvaṁ sabhrātaraṁ nṛpaḥ āropya kariṇīṁ hṛṣṭaḥ stūyamāno ’viśat puram

Translation

Ainsi, tandis que la foule comblait Dhruva et son frère d’éloges affectueux, le roi fut transporté de joie; il les fit asseoir sur le dos d’une éléphante et, au milieu des louanges de tous, entra dans sa capitale.

Synonyms

• लाल्यमानम्: being fondled/cherished
• लाल्यमानम्: विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लाल्/लल् (धातु) → लाल्यमान (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि-प्रयोगे शानच्/मान (present passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘ध्रुवम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• जनैः: by the people
• जनैः: कर्ता (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन

• एवम्: thus, in this manner
• एवम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb of manner)

• ध्रुवम्: Dhruva
• ध्रुवम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्रुव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• स-भ्रातरम्: together with (his) brother
• स-भ्रातरम्: विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ) + भ्रातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय/उपपद-समासः: ‘भ्रात्रा सह’ (with his brother); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘ध्रुवम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• नृपः: the king
• नृपः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• आरोप्य: having mounted/placed (him)
• आरोप्य: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ+रुह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), ‘आरोप्य’ = ‘आरोहयित्वा/उपरि स्थापयित्वा’

• करिणीम्: the female elephant
• करिणीम्: अधिकरण/आश्रय (Locus/vehicle; object of ‘mount’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• हृष्टः: delighted
• हृष्टः: विशेषण (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘नृपः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• स्तूयमानः: being praised
• स्तूयमानः: विशेषण (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्तु (धातु) → स्तूयमान (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि-प्रयोगे शानच्/मान (present passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘नृपः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• अविशत्: entered
• अविशत्: क्रिया (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विश् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• पुरम्: the city
• पुरम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Dhruva
• Uttama
• King Uttānapāda

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about honoring a great devotee like Dhruva Maharaja?

This verse shows that Dhruva was publicly cherished and praised, and the king honored him with a royal procession—illustrating how devotees are naturally respected by society and rulers.

Why did King Uttanapada bring Dhruva and his brother into the city on an elephant?

To formally celebrate Dhruva’s return and recognize his extraordinary achievement and stature, the king arranged a ceremonial entry, seating Dhruva (with Uttama) on a royal elephant while citizens praised him.

Practical application of Dhruva Maharaja’s honor in modern life?

Genuine spiritual effort and integrity earn lasting respect; when success comes, accept recognition with humility and use it to inspire others toward devotion and discipline.