Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 47

Dhruva’s Benediction from Kuvera and His Ascension to Viṣṇuloka

Dhruvaloka

Devanagari script

महत्त्वमिच्छतां तीर्थं श्रोतु: शीलादयो गुणा: । यत्र तेजस्तदिच्छूनां मानो यत्र मनस्विनाम् ॥ ४७ ॥

Transliteration

mahattvam icchatāṁ tīrthaṁ śrotuḥ śīlādayo guṇāḥ yatra tejas tad icchūnāṁ māno yatra manasvinām

Translation

Ai nghe câu chuyện về Dhruva Mahārāja sẽ đạt những đức tính cao quý như ngài, như hạnh kiểm và các phẩm chất khác. Với người mong cầu vĩ đại, uy lực hay ảnh hưởng, đây là con đường thanh tịnh như một tīrtha; và với bậc trầm tư muốn được tôn kính, đây là phương tiện đúng đắn.

Synonyms

• महत्त्वम्: greatness
• महत्त्वम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• इच्छताम्: of those who desire
• इच्छताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष्/इच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle) 'इच्छत्' का षष्ठी (6th) बहुवचन; 'इच्छताम्' = of those desiring

• तीर्थम्: holy place; means of crossing
• तीर्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• श्रोतुः: of the listener
• श्रोतुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रोतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध

• शील-आदयः: conduct and the like
• शील-आदयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शील (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: 'शीलं आदिः येषाम्' (with 'ādi' as 'etc.')

• गुणाः: qualities
• गुणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक सम्बन्धबोधक (relative adverb: where)

• तेजः: splendor, power
• तेजः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तत्: that
• तत्: Anuvāda/Correlative (अनुवाद)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (correlative: that)

• इच्छूनाम्: of the desirers
• इच्छूनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष्/इच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: उ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त 'इच्छु' (desirer) का षष्ठी (6th) बहुवचन

• मानः: honor, esteem
• मानः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (where)

• मनस्विनाम्: of the high-minded
• मनस्विनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; सम्बन्ध

Purport

In the material world everyone is after profit, respectability and reputation, everyone wants the supreme exalted position, and everyone wants to hear about the great qualities of exalted persons. All ambitions which are desirable for great persons can be fulfilled simply by reading and understanding the narration of Dhruva Mahārāja’s activities.

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the qualities of a good listener (śrotā)?

This verse teaches that a listener endowed with good character and virtues becomes like a tīrtha (holy place), because such receptivity attracts spiritual radiance and true honor.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī glorify the listener while speaking Bhagavatam?

Because Bhagavatam is realized through śravaṇam; when the hearer is virtuous and sincere, the message bears fruit—spiritual strength (tejas) and lasting respect (māna) grounded in dharma.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life while studying Srimad Bhagavatam?

Cultivate integrity, humility, and attentive hearing; treat Bhagavatam study as a sacred practice, and seek association where character and devotion are honored.