Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 71
Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction
तत्राभिषिक्त: प्रयतस्तामुपोष्य विभावरीम् । समाहित: पर्यचरदृष्यादेशेन पूरुषम् ॥ ७१ ॥
tatrābhiṣiktaḥ prayatas tām upoṣya vibhāvarīm samāhitaḥ paryacarad ṛṣy-ādeśena pūruṣam
ณ มธุวนะ ธรุวมหาราชทรงอาบน้ำชำระกาย แล้วทรงอดอาหารในคืนนั้นด้วยความเพียรและความระมัดระวัง ครั้นแล้วตามคำสั่งสอนของฤๅษีนารท พระองค์ทรงตั้งจิตแน่วแน่บูชาพระผู้เป็นบุรุษสูงสุด คือพระภควาน
The significance of this particular verse is that Dhruva Mahārāja acted exactly according to the advice of his spiritual master, the great sage Nārada. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī also advises that if we want to be successful in our attempt to go back to Godhead, we must very seriously act according to the instruction of the spiritual master. That is the way of perfection. There need be no anxiety over attaining perfection because if one follows the instruction given by the spiritual master he is sure to attain perfection. Our only concern should be how to execute the order of the spiritual master. A spiritual master is expert in giving special instructions to each of his disciples, and if the disciple executes the order of the spiritual master, that is the way of his perfection.
FAQs
This verse shows Dhruva first purifying himself by bathing and then fasting through the night, indicating that bodily discipline and inner cleanliness support focused devotion.
Because Nārada Muni had given Dhruva a specific method of worship; Dhruva’s success depended on obediently practicing bhakti as taught by the guru.
Set a fixed time for sādhana, reduce distractions (a modern form of fasting), and follow a consistent practice under authentic guidance to steady the mind in devotion.