FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.8.37

पदं त्रिभुवनोत्कृष्टं जिगीषो: साधु वर्त्म मे । ब्रूह्यस्मत्पितृभिर्ब्रह्मन्नन्यैरप्यनधिष्ठितम् ॥ ३७ ॥
padaṁ tri-bhuvanotkṛṣṭaṁ
[padam tri-bhuvanotkrishtam]
jigīṣoḥ sādhu vartma me
[jigeeshoh saadhu vartma me]
brūhy asmat-pitṛbhir brahmann
[broohy asmat-pitribhir brahmann]
anyair apy anadhiṣṭhitam
[anyair apy anadhishthitam]
padam — position tri-bhuvana — the three worlds utkṛṣṭam — the best jigīṣoḥ — desirous sādhu — honest vartma — way me — unto me brūhi — please tell asmat — our pitṛbhiḥ — by the forefathers (the father and grandfather) brahman — O great brāhmaṇa anyaiḥ — by others api — even anadhiṣṭhitam — not acquired.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
padaṁ tri-bhuvanotkṛṣṭaṁ
padam
position
tri-bhuvana
the three worlds
utkṛṣṭam
the best
jigīṣoḥ sādhu vartma me
jigīṣoḥ
desirous
sādhu
honest
vartma
way
me
unto me
brūhy asmat-pitṛbhir brahmann
brūhi
please tell
asmat
our
pitṛbhiḥ
by the forefathers (the father and grandfather)
brahman
O great brāhmaṇa
anyair apy anadhiṣṭhitam
anyaiḥ
by others
api
even
anadhiṣṭhitam
not acquired.
O learned brāhmaṇa, I want to occupy a position more exalted than any yet achieved within the three worlds by anyone, even by my father and grandfather. If you will oblige, kindly advise me of an honest path to follow by which I can achieve the goal of my life.

When Dhruva Mahārāja refused to accept the brahminical instruction of Nārada Muni, naturally the next question would be what sort of instruction he wanted. So even before Nārada Muni asked, Dhruva Mahārāja expressed his heartfelt desire. His father, of course, was the emperor of the entire world, and his grandfather, Lord Brahmā, was the creator of the universe. Dhruva Mahārāja expressed his desire to possess a kingdom better than those of his father and grandfather. He frankly stated that he wanted a kingdom which had no competitor within the three worlds, namely the higher, middle and lower planetary systems. The greatest personality within this universe is Lord Brahmā, and Dhruva Mahārāja wanted a position even greater than his. He wanted to take advantage of Nārada Muni’s presence because he knew very well that if Nārada Muni, the greatest devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa, could bless him or show him the path, then certainly he would be able to occupy a more exalted position than any person within the three worlds. Thus he wanted help from Nāradajī to achieve that position. Dhruva Mahārāja wanted a position greater than that of Brahmā. This was practically an impossible proposition, but by pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead a devotee can achieve even the impossible.

One particular point mentioned here is that Dhruva Mahārāja wanted to occupy an exalted position not by hook or by crook, but by honest means. This indicates that if Kṛṣṇa offered him such a position, then he would accept it. That is the nature of a devotee. He may desire material gain, but he accepts it only if Kṛṣṇa offers it. Dhruva Mahārāja was sorry to refuse the instruction of Nārada Muni; therefore he requested him to be merciful to him by showing a path by which he could fulfill his mind’s desires.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
O brāhmaṇa! Please tell the correct method for me, desiring the best position in the three worlds, which has not been attained by my forefathers or others. “Then, what do you want?” Tell me the correct method for attaining a position unattained by my father, Uttānapāda, who insulted me, by his father Manu, by his father Brahmā, and by Brahmā’s other sons and grandsons. Teaching me that path alone, you will see my courage in attaining that in no time.
Dhruva states his desire: a position higher than any in the three worlds, exceeding even father and grandfather. The ambition is enormous and unfiltered — and Nārada will not shame him for it but redirect it.
Reflection Questions
  • What enormous desire have I been ashamed to name, and what would it look like to lay it before a teacher honestly?
  • Where is my ambition merely smaller than my real calling, dressed up as humility?
📝 My note

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