Question: How did Dhruva Maharaja get purified, even though he had a material motivation/desire (of getting the highest kingdom) in following Narada’s instructions? Does it mean that we should follow the Spiritual Master’s instructions even if our motivation to follow them is material? Will this eventually purify our material desire? And how do we see it in the light of Bhagavatam (1.2.6) which emphasizes ahaituki bhakti?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
Having material desires itself does not bar one from approaching Krishna. Srimad Bhagavatam emphasizes:
akamah sarva-kamo va
moksa kama udara-dhih
tivrena bhakti-yogena
yajeta purusam param (SB 2.3.10)
Whether one is desireless, or full of material desires, or desirous of liberation, in any case an intelligent person should engage in *tivra-bhakti*. “Tivra” indicates great force, like that of concentrated sun-rays. By the force of such tivra-bhakti, executed under proper guidance, material desires are purified.
SB 1.2.6 is a description of the *process* by which one can attain to the stage of ahaituki-bhakti, even if one may not possess it at the outset. Such a process is described as the best religion; it alone can bring full satisfaction. What is that process? That is elaborated in subsequent verses in SB 1.2.12-22. The process is, with single-pointed attention, hear about, glorify, remember and worship the Supreme Lord. It begins with hearing and serving the mahats or great souls. (Verse 16) By that endeavor, ignorance, passion, lust, greed etc are destroyed almost to nil, and irrevocable devotion is established.
Dhruva Maharaja’s success lay in meticulously applying this process — as a result, he attained ahaituki-bhakti.
While Dhruva’s example is highly encouraging for all beginning devotees, we should also carefully observe *how* Dhruva Maharaja executed the instructions given to him.
– Dhruva was very sincere in his purpose — not merely to achieve the greatest kingdom, but to do so *ONLY by pleasing Vishnu*. He requested Narada to give him an “honest” path to achieve his goal. (SB 4.8.37)
– He was willing to sacrifice anything and undergo any difficulty to please Vishnu. He was not looking for any other material means or short-cut to fulfill his desire by hook or by crook.
– He strictly followed all the directions of Narada with great enthusiasm and determination, without compromise, without considering personal convenience or inconvenience.
This tivra-bhakti purified him. Please study Srila Prabhupada’s purport to SB 4.8.72.
Materially motivated persons generally go to some demigod, or some influential personality within this world, or rely on some material method to quickly achieve their desires.
kanksantah karmanam siddhim
yajanta iha devatah
ksipram hi manus e loke
siddhir bhavati karma-ja
Krishna can easily and quickly fulfill all desires, in fact it is He who fulfills everyone’s desires – directly or through many agents. (nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam eko bahunam yo vidadhati kaman). But those who are too materially attached are reluctant to approach Krishna directly, because they know that Krishna will only fulfill the desires after purifying them of those desires! Although bhakti is very easy and simple, because of strong attachments, they would rather prefer to adopt much more troublesome austerities within this world to achieve their desires. But a sincere soul like Dhruva, even if they desire material gain, is determined to accept it only if Krsna offers it, without depending on any other means. This honest, non-duplicitous devotion attracts Krsna’s attention.
The presence of material desire does not, or should not, hinder our taking shelter of a spiritual master. We should honestly admit our heart before the spiritual master, seek his direction, and then sincerely follow it, without worrying about success or failure, or in other words, fully confident of success.
A sincere disciple humbly admits that he is bound up by hundreds of desires, which is all the more reason why he is dependent the special mercy and instructions of spiritual master. This is the mood in which Devahuti approaches Kapila: “I am sick of the disturbance cause by my material desires and have fallen into the abyss of ignorance. You are my transcendental eye, you are the ax that cuts the material existence…” Note that the purpose of approaching the spiritual master is to become free from these desires; or at least, to fulfill them ONLY by pleasing Krishna, whatever it entails. The not-so-sincere position is to approach a saintly person with the idea that he will give blessings by which all my troubles will be easily removed, all my wishes will magically come true, so I can continue to enjoy life happily ever after, independent of Krishna!
