Text 42] Dhruva Maharaja Goes Back to Godhead 535

way, but it is not possible for them to attain to such an exalted position as
Dhruva Maharaja. As far as ordinary kings are concerned, it is not at all
possible. The specific mention of kings is significant because formerly kings
were also rajarsis ,for the kings were as good as great sages. Dhruva Maharaja
was a king, and at the same time he was as learned as a great sage. Bul
without devotional service, neither a great king, a ksatriya, nor a great
brahmana strictly adhering to the Vedic principles can be elevated to the
exalted position attained by Dhruva Maharaja.

TEXT 42

qT WT oTMRNARAt
flea am aaa Tat!
wt nareuatstrd =e

fara Tama: TAA eR

yah pafica-varso guru-dara-vak-Sarair
bhinnena yato hrdayena diiyata

vanam mad-adesa-karo ‘jitam prabhum
Jigaya tad-bhakta-gunaih parajitam

yah—he who; pajfica-varsah—at the age of five years; guru-dara—of the
wife of his father; vak-saraih—by the harsh words; bhinnena— being very
much aggrieved; yalah—went; hrdayena—because his heart; diiyala—very
much pained; vanam—to the forest; mat-ddesa—according to my instruc-
tion; karah—acting; ajitam—unconquerable; prabhum—the Supreme Per-
sonality of Godhead; jigaya—he defeated; tat—His; bhakta—of devotees;
gunaih—with the qualities; parajitam—conquered.

TRANSLATION

The great sage Narada continued: Just see how Dhruva Maharaja,
aggrieved at the harsh words of his stepmother, went to the forest at the age
of only five years and under my direction underwent austerity. Although
the Supreme Personality of Godhead is unconquerable, still he defeated
Him with the specific qualifications possessed by the Lord’s devotees.

PURPORT

The Supreme Godhead is unconquerable; no one can conquer the Lord.
But He voluntarily accepts subordination to the devotional qualities of His
devotees. For example, Lord Krsna accepted subordination to the control
