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The Lord reveals His form to Dhruva Mahäräja (1-5) After having reassured the demigods, the Lord in His Prsnigarbha incarnation personally appears in Madhuvana. Dhruva awakens from his meditation to witness the Lord standing right before him. Absorbed in ecstatic love, Dhruva felt “…as if he were drinking the Lord with his eyes, kissing the lotus feet of the Lord with his mouth, and embracing the Lord with his arms.” 2

“…when a devotee writes or speaks about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his words are dictated by the Lord from within.” (4; PeA) Dhruva wanted to offer prayers but couldn’t because of his inexperience. The Lord, therefore, touched His conchshell to his forehead to transcendentally inspire him, which is called brhma-maya. Without having ever attended any school, entire Vedic conclusion was revealed to him. 3

Dhruva Mahäräja offers prayers (6- 17) Dhruva could understand the difference between his condition before and after attaining spiritual realization—all his sleeping senses, mind and intelligence were awakened. (6) Unless one comes to the spiritual platform, his bodily senses are understood to be sleeping. ä The spiritual enlivenment was due to the action of internal potency of the Lord—sva-dhämna. W/out revelation by the spiritual energy, one cannot offer prayers glorifying the Lord. (Contd) 4

Dhruva Mahäräja offers prayers (6-17; Contd) How to receive the Lord’s causeless mercy? Our sincere endeavor makes us qualify. The internal, or spiritual energy when acts in material world, it is called mäyä, or the illusory energy.(7) The spiritual energy inspires devotees to engage their senses in the service of the Lord, whereas mäyä engages non-devotees in material activities for sense enjoyment. The Lord is the cause of liberation but foolish persons desire benediction for sense gratification (9; Contd) 5

Dhruva Mahäräja offers prayers (6-17; Contd) Desires association of pure devotees (11- 12)   “Anyone trying to be aloof from the KC Society and yet engage in KC is living in a great hallucination, for this is not possible.” (11)   Ds in association of devotees facilitates further development of ds.   By ds alone one attains Goloka Vrndävana.   Helps to get materially detached and attracted to the Lord’s service. Krsna brings His devotees to perfection in ds. 6

The Lord’s response (18-26) The Lord promises to fulfill Dhruva’s desire and awards him the Polestar. He informs Dhruva of his future as the king for thirty-six thousand years without aging, while performing many fire sacrifices, and his destination after death—The Lord’s own abode. The Lord then returns to His own abode. 7

The special significance of the polestar, Dhruvaloka? (21) It is the center of for all other stars and solar systems, for all of them circle around the polestar. It is the center of for all other stars and solar systems, for all of them circle around the polestar. Until the entire universe is annihilated the planet will remain, even during the devastation during Brahm’s night. Until the entire universe is annihilated the planet will remain, even during the devastation during Brahmä’s night. It is the abode of Kñérodakaçäyé Viñëu located within this material universe. It is the abode of Kñérodakaçäyé Viñëu located within this material universe. 8

Other benedictions the Lord gave Dhruva (22-24) All good fortune unto Dhruva meaning he won’t be bereft of the Lord’s love despite his previous material desires (19). He will enjoy ruling the kingdom for 36,000 years w/out aging, while performing many great sacrifices (22, 24). Dhruva wanted revenge in the beginning—both his step-mother and –brother, both would be killed in the forest. He would be able to remember the Lord at death. 9

Dhruva Mahäräja’s lamentation (27-36) Dhruva is ashamed of his material demands, realizing that he missed the opportunity of the Lord’s personal service for the sake of material name, fame and prosperity. Maitreya Muni confirms that pure devotees, being always satisfied in serving at the lotus feet of the Lord, never ask the Lord for material prosperity. 10

How to reconcile between the danger of approaching the Lord with material motives (9-10, , & 32-35) and the example of Dhruva Mahäräja, as a highly qualified devotee who had the facility of material enjoyment and at the same time executed love of God (19)? (PrA) 11

12  Only due to gross ignorance, one worship the Lord with material desires for sense gratification, which are insignificant, temporary and perishable—Even elevation to heavenly planets is not free from repeated birth and death.  The Lord is like a desire tree, who is capable of even awarding liberation—it is like asking a piece of glass from someone who is able to give diamonds.  A pure devotee does not demand from the Lord rather he only desires to serve Him with utmost sincerity.  Despite his initial material desires & revengeful attitude towards his step-mother & -brother, Dhruva ‘s case was different—The Lord knew that he would never be deviated from love of God even with material opulence.

Dhruva Mahäräja returns to his father’s kingdom (37-67) After considering himself wretched, King Uttänapäda was overwhelmed by the news of the return of Dhruva, who was welcomed home with joy by all and especially his mother Sunéti. Maitreya then describes the opulence of the capital city of Uttänapäda; who, seeing the qualifications of Dhruva, decides to enthrone him as the next king and to leave for the forest. 13

14 Discussion Points Personal Application (PeA) “…when a devotee writes or speaks about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his words are dictated by the Lord from within.” (4) Pleasing or displeasing a Vaiñëava directly affects the pleasure and displeasure of the Supreme Lord. (23) Preaching Application (PrA) the danger of approaching the Lord with material motives (9-10, 29-31, & 32-35) and the example of Dhruva Mahäräja, as a highly qualified devotee who had the facility of material enjoyment and at the same time executed love of God (19)? How to reconcile between the danger of approaching the Lord with material motives (9-10, 29-31, & 32-35) and the example of Dhruva Mahäräja, as a highly qualified devotee who had the facility of material enjoyment and at the same time executed love of God (19)? (Contd)

Discussion Points (Contd) Academic & Moral Integrity (AMI) (Group discussion topic) Discuss appropriate application of SP’s comment: “Anyone who is trying to be aloof from this Krishna Consciousness Society and yet engage in Kåñëa consciousness is living in a great hallucination...” (11) Discuss appropriate application of SP’s comment: “Anyone who is trying to be aloof from this Krishna Consciousness Society and yet engage in Kåñëa consciousness is living in a great hallucination...” (11) 15