Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 10
Dhruva’s Benediction from Kuvera and His Ascension to Viṣṇuloka
Dhruvaloka
अथायजत यज्ञेशं क्रतुभिर्भूरिदक्षिणै: । द्रव्यक्रियादेवतानां कर्म कर्मफलप्रदम् ॥ १० ॥
athāyajata yajñeśaṁ kratubhir bhūri-dakṣiṇaiḥ dravya-kriyā-devatānāṁ karma karma-phala-pradam
Trong thời gian còn ở gia thất, Dhruva Mahārāja đã cử hành nhiều đại tế lễ với lễ vật bố thí dồi dào để làm đẹp lòng Yajñeśa—Đấng thọ hưởng mọi tế lễ, tức Śrī Viṣṇu. Các tế lễ theo kinh điển chủ yếu nhằm cầu sự hoan hỷ của Viṣṇu; chính Ngài là mục tiêu của tế lễ và là Đấng ban quả báo.
In Bhagavad-gītā (3.9) it is said, yajñārthāt karmaṇo ’nyatra loko ’yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ: one should act or work only in order to please the Supreme Lord; otherwise one becomes entangled in the resultant reactions. According to the four divisions of varṇa and āśrama, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas are especially advised to perform great ceremonial sacrifices and to distribute their accumulated money very liberally. Dhruva Mahārāja, as a king and ideal kṣatriya, performed many such sacrifices, giving very liberally in charity. Kṣatriyas and vaiśyas are supposed to earn their money and accumulate great riches. Sometimes they do it by acting sinfully. Kṣatriyas are meant to rule over a country; Dhruva Mahārāja, for example, in the course of ruling, had to fight and kill many Yakṣas. Such action is necessary for kṣatriyas. A kṣatriya should not be a coward, and he should not be nonviolent; to rule over the country he has to act violently.
FAQs
This verse identifies Viṣṇu as Yajñeśa, the true Lord to be worshiped through sacrifice, indicating that yajña is ultimately meant for pleasing Him.
After attaining spiritual maturity and returning to his royal duties, Dhruva honored the Lord through properly executed sacrifices, offering generous gifts as part of righteous kingly conduct (dharma).
Act with the right “ingredients”—sincerity, correct method, and a higher purpose—because outcomes depend on how actions are performed, not merely on intention.