Do you wish to go back home, back to Godhead at end of this life? Only an ignorant person will deny when such a question is asked.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Fourth Canto describes the pastime of Dhruva Maharaja, which is one of the most profound tales of determination. Śrī Chaitanya Mahāprabhu Himself would hear and recite this story thousands of times along with Gadādhara Paṇḍita. The twelfth chapter of the Fourth Canto is titled “Dhruva Maharaj Goes Back to Godhead.”
Just as it is wonderful to read about Krishna’s pastimes, it is equally inspiring to hear about a sadhaka attaining the perfectional stage. Although Dhruva Maharaj is counted among the recipients of kṛpā-siddhas (perfection attained through mercy), the determination he exhibited is highly praiseworthy.
At the conclusion of this chapter, Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes the qualities that can make our journey back to Godhead much easier:
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.12.37 states,
śāntāḥ sama-dṛśaḥ śuddhāḥ
sarva-bhūtānuranjanāḥ
yānty anjasācyuta-padam
acyuta-priya-bāndhavāḥ
“Persons who are peaceful, equipoised, cleansed, and purified—who know the art of pleasing all living entities and keep friendship only with devotees of the Lord—can very easily achieve the perfection of going back home, back to Godhead.”
The life of Dhruva Maharaj exemplifies these wonderful qualities he exhibited:
Overcoming Agitation Through Peace (śāntāḥ)
Even as a five-year-old child, Dhruva was deeply agitated when his stepmother rebuked him with harsh words. Yet, the same Dhruva became exceedingly peaceful when he obtained darshan of the Supreme Lord. Even before that, during his intense sadhana, he became totally peaceful by following the instructions of Nārada Muni.
Association of devotees, guidance of superiors and darshan of the Supreme Lord can make our life peaceful and free from agitation.
From Duality to Equal Vision (sama-dṛśaḥ)
Initially, Dhruva saw his stepbrother and stepmother through the lens of duality. However, after six months of tapasya, he became totally equipoised.
When he returned home after obtaining the darshan of the Supreme Lord, he was embraced by his step-mother. Dhruva bore no malice toward his step-mother by whose very words he had become agitated just six months back!
Also, after his stepbrother was killed, Dhruva was prepared to annihilate the entire Yaksha dynasty in retaliation. This was his way to demonstrate that he was non-envious toward his brother.
Bhakti has the power to help us overcome dualities of this world and have an equipoised vision.
Pleasing to All (sarva-bhūtānuranjanāḥ)
When Dhruva returned home after his tapasya, even his stepmother embraced him, and he displayed no sign of malice or resentment.
Later, even while he was on a killing spree, he respectfully followed the instructions of his grandfather, Svāyambhuva Manu. As a result, he not only pleased the Lord but also won the favor of Kubera, the treasurer of the demigods.
Bhāgavatam mentions,
yasya prasanno bhagavān
guṇair maitry-ādibhir hariḥ
tasmai namanti bhūtāni
nimnam āpa iva svayam
Unto one who has transcendental qualities due to friendly behavior with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all living entities offer honor, just as water automatically flows down by nature. SB 4.9.47
Friendship with Devotees (acyuta-priya-bāndhavāḥ)
Bhāgavatam does not explicitly mention Dhruva Maharaj taking association of devotees. However, when he met the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he expressed his longing in the form of a beautiful prayer which states,
bhaktiṁ muhuḥ pravahatāṁ tvayi me prasaṅgo
bhūyād ananta mahatām amalāśayānām
yenāñjasolbaṇam uru-vyasanaṁ bhavābdhiṁ
neṣye bhavad-guṇa-kathāmṛta-pāna-mattaḥ
Dhruva Mahārāja continued: O unlimited Lord, kindly bless me so that I may associate with great devotees who engage in Your transcendental loving service constantly, as the waves of a river constantly flow. Such transcendental devotees are completely situated in an uncontaminated state of life. By the process of devotional service I shall surely be able to cross the nescient ocean of material existence, which is filled with the waves of blazing, firelike dangers. It will be very easy for me, for I am becoming mad to hear about Your transcendental qualities and pastimes, which are eternally existent. SB 4.9.11
Certainly, the Supreme Lord must have fulfilled his desires and blessed him with divine association during his rule of 36000 years!
Conclusion
Krishna does not demand much from us. Even a small endeavor in devotional service pleases Him greatly. That is the beauty of His mercy.
A sadhaka aspiring for perfection and desiring to return home, back to Godhead, must earnestly try to cultivate these qualities. Dhruva Maharaj developed them in the course of just six months due to his intense practice. We may need an entire lifetime, but we must not give up. Rather, taking Dhruva’s life as our pole star, we must continue to aspire and yearn for these qualities. Then, without a doubt, these qualities will manifest in us as a result of Krishna’s grace.
