Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 8
Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction
जाये उत्तानपादस्य सुनीति: सुरुचिस्तयो: । सुरुचि: प्रेयसी पत्युर्नेतरा यत्सुतो ध्रुव: ॥ ८ ॥
jāye uttānapādasya sunītiḥ surucis tayoḥ suruciḥ preyasī patyur netarā yat-suto dhruvaḥ
ಉತ್ತಾನಪಾದನಿಗೆ ಎರಡು ರಾಣಿಯರು—ಸುನೀತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಸುರುಚಿ. ಸುರುಚಿ ರಾಜನಿಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಪ್ರಿಯಳಾಗಿದ್ದಳು; ಇನ್ನೊಬ್ಬಳಾದ ಸುನೀತಿಗೆ ಧ್ರುವನೆಂಬ ಪುತ್ರನಿದ್ದರೂ ಅವಳು ರಾಜನ ಮೆಚ್ಚಿನವಳಲ್ಲ.
The great sage Maitreya wanted to describe the pious activities of the kings. Priyavrata was the first son of Svāyambhuva Manu, and Uttānapāda was the second, but the great sage Maitreya immediately began to speak of Dhruva Mahārāja, the son of Uttānapāda, because Maitreya was very eager to describe pious activities. The incidents in the life of Dhruva Mahārāja are very attractive for devotees. From his pious actions, one can learn how one can detach himself from material possessions and how one can enhance one’s devotional service by severe austerities and penances. By hearing the activities of pious Dhruva, one can enhance one’s faith in God and can directly connect with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and thus one can very soon be elevated to the transcendental platform of devotional service. The example of Dhruva Mahārāja’s austerities can immediately generate a feeling of devotional service in the hearts of the hearers.
FAQs
This verse states that King Uttānapāda had two queens—Sunīti and Suruci.
Śukadeva explains that Suruci was especially dear to Uttānapāda, setting the background for the unequal treatment that later becomes the cause of Dhruva’s intense determination.
It highlights how partiality in relationships can create deep wounds—encouraging fairness, compassion, and seeking inner strength (and devotion) rather than validation from changing worldly affection.