Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 30
Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction
अथ मात्रोपदिष्टेन योगेनावरुरुत्ससि । यत्प्रसादं स वै पुंसां दुराराध्यो मतो मम ॥ ३० ॥
atha mātropadiṣṭena yogenāvarurutsasi yat-prasādaṁ sa vai puṁsāṁ durārādhyo mato mama
如今你依母亲的教导，决意修习瑜伽禅定，只为求得主的慈恩；但依我之见，使至上人格神欢喜，非凡夫所能，实在极难。
The process of bhakti-yoga is simultaneously very difficult and very easy to perform. Śrī Nārada Muni, the supreme spiritual master, is testing Dhruva Mahārāja to see how determined he is to prosecute devotional service. This is the process of accepting a disciple. The great sage Nārada has come to Dhruva under the direction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead just to initiate him, yet he is testing Dhruva’s determination to execute the process. It is a fact, however, that for a sincere person devotional service is very easy. But for one who is not determined and sincere, this process is very difficult.
FAQs
This verse shows that even when one practices yoga as instructed, the real attainment is the Lord’s prasāda (mercy), which is not easily won without sincere devotion and purity of purpose.
Suniti cautions Dhruva that worldly power cannot compel God; only the Lord’s independent mercy grants success, so one must approach Him with humility, steadiness, and genuine devotion.
Do your spiritual practice sincerely, but measure progress by inner transformation—humility, steadiness, and devotion—rather than quick results, remembering that grace is the real goal.