FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.8.19

आतिष्ठ तत्तात विमत्सरस्त्वम् उक्तं समात्रापि यदव्यलीकम् । आराधयाधोक्षजपादपद्मं यदीच्छसेऽध्यासनमुत्तमो यथा ॥ १९ ॥
ātiṣṭha tat tāta vimatsaras tvam
[aatishtha tat taata vimatsaras tvam]
uktaṁ samātrāpi yad avyalīkam
[uktam samaatraapi yad avyaleekam]
ārādhayādhokṣaja-pāda-padmaṁ
[aaraadhayaadhokshaja-paada-padmam]
yadīcchase ’dhyāsanam uttamo yathā
[yadeechchase ’dhyaasanam uttamo yathaa]
Word-for-word
ātiṣṭha — just execute tat — that tāta — my dear son vimatsaraḥ — without being envious tvam — unto you uktam — said samātrā api — by your stepmother yat — whatever avyalīkam — they are all factual ārādhaya — just begin worshiping adhokṣaja — the Transcendence pāda-padmam — lotus feet yadi — if icchase — desire adhyāsanam — to be seated along with uttamaḥ — your stepbrother yathā — as much as.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
ātiṣṭha tat tāta vimatsaras tvam
ātiṣṭha
just execute
tat
that
tāta
my dear son
vimatsaraḥ
without being envious
tvam
unto you
uktaṁ samātrāpi yad avyalīkam
uktam
said
samātrā api
by your stepmother
yat
whatever
avyalīkam
they are all factual
ārādhayādhokṣaja-pāda-padmaṁ
ārādhaya
just begin worshiping
adhokṣaja
the Transcendence
pāda-padmam
lotus feet
yadīcchase ’dhyāsanam uttamo yathā
yadi
if
icchase
desire
adhyāsanam
to be seated along with
uttamaḥ
your stepbrother
yathā
as much as.
My dear boy, whatever has been spoken by Suruci, your stepmother, although very harsh to hear, is factual. Therefore, if you desire at all to sit on the same throne as your stepbrother, Uttama, then give up your envious attitude and immediately try to execute the instructions of your stepmother. Without further delay, you must engage yourself in worshiping the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Purport

The harsh words used by Suruci to her stepson were true because unless one is favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead one cannot achieve any success in life. Man proposes, God disposes. Sunīti, the mother of Dhruva Mahārāja, agreed with her co-wife’s advice that Dhruva engage himself in the worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Indirectly, the words of Suruci were a benediction for Dhruva Mahārāja, for because of the influence of his stepmother’s words, he became a great devotee.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
If you desire to be seated like your brother, then without envy of Suruci, execute the true words uttered by her: “Worship the lotus feet of the Lord.” Suruci is equivalent to your mother (samātrā), though she wants to harm you. Do what she has said. What is true (avyalīkam) is not comfortable to hear. But worshipping the Lord is not uncomfortable for anyone. Therefore, give up hatred of Suruci. My weeping has been written on my forehead by the creator since birth. (It is my karma.) You should be happy.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Sunīti tells Dhruva: Suruci's words, though harsh, are true — only the Lord's favor can lift you. Wise parents take even an enemy's correct words and point the child toward the right response rather than fighting the messenger.
Reflection Questions
  • Which painful but true thing have I dismissed because of who said it?
  • Where could I receive an unwelcome truth as direction rather than as attack?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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