Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.17.2
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesFirm Devotion Deepens Remembrance of Kṛṣṇa
“Dhruva Mahārāja, the famous son of Mahārāja Uttānapāda, is known as the most exalted devotee of the Supreme Lord because of his firm determination in executing devotional service. Knowing that the sacred Ganges water washes the lotus feet of Lord Viṣṇu, Dhruva Mahārāja, situated on his own planet, to this very day accepts that water on his head with great devotion. Because he constantly thinks of Kṛṣṇa very devoutly within the core of his heart, he is overcome with ecstatic anxiety. Tears flow from his half-open eyes, and eruptions appear on his entire body.”
What the purport teaches
- A person firmly fixed in devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is called vīra-vrata, fully determined. Dhruva Mahārāja exemplifies this determination.
- Knowing that the Ganges washes Lord Viṣṇu’s lotus feet, Dhruva Mahārāja accepts her water on his head with great devotion.
- Dhruva Mahārāja constantly thinks of Kṛṣṇa within his heart. His tears upon remembering the Lord are a symptom of a mahā-bhāgavata, an exalted devotee.
Try this today
Set aside two quiet minutes today to remember Kṛṣṇa with devotion.
Ask yourself
Where could I become more steady in my devotional service?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.