Shloka 16
Dhruva’s Benediction from Kuvera and His Ascension to Viṣṇuloka
Dhruvaloka
आत्मस्त्र्यपत्यसुहृदो बलमृद्धकोश- मन्त:पुरं परिविहारभुवश्च रम्या: । भूमण्डलं जलधिमेखलमाकलय्य कालोपसृष्टमिति स प्रययौ विशालाम् ॥ १६ ॥
ātma-stry-apatya-suhṛdo balam ṛddha-kośam antaḥ-puraṁ parivihāra-bhuvaś ca ramyāḥ bhū-maṇḍalaṁ jaladhi-mekhalam ākalayya kālopasṛṣṭam iti sa prayayau viśālām
دھرو مہاراج نے اپنے جسم، بیویوں، اولاد، دوستوں، لشکر، بھرپور خزانہ، محلّات اور خوشگوار سیرگاہوں کو مایا کی تخلیق سمجھا؛ عظیم سمندروں سے گھری پوری زمین تک پھیلی سلطنت کو زمانے کے قبضے میں جان کر چھوڑ دیا اور ہمالیہ کے بدریکاشرم کے جنگل کی طرف روانہ ہوا۔
In the beginning of his life, when he went to the forest in search of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Dhruva Mahārāja realized that all bodily conceptions of pleasure are products of the illusory energy. In the very beginning, of course, he was after the kingdom of his father, and in order to get it he went to search for the Supreme Lord. But he later realized that everything is the creation of the illusory energy. From the acts of Śrīla Dhruva Mahārāja we can understand that somehow or other if one becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious — it does not matter what his motivation is in the beginning — he will eventually realize the real truth by the grace of the Lord. In the beginning, Dhruva Mahārāja was interested in the kingdom of his father, but later he became a great devotee, mahā-bhāgavata, and had no interest in material enjoyment. The perfection of life can be achieved only by devotees. Even if one completes only a minute percentage of devotional service and then falls down from his immature position, he is better than a person who fully engages in the fruitive activities of this material world.
FAQs
This verse states that everything on earth—family ties, friends, strength, wealth, palaces, and pleasures—is ultimately overtaken by kāla (time), prompting a wise person to seek lasting spiritual attainment.
Dhruva recognized that even the greatest royal opulence is temporary and controlled by time, so he departed for the forest to focus on spiritual realization and devotion.
Regularly reflect that status, wealth, and comforts are time-bound, and prioritize steady sādhana—hearing, chanting, and living with purpose—so spiritual goals remain central even amid responsibilities.