अनेन तपसा वत्स त्वयाऽऽप्यं किमनेनसा
My child, what is the use of this austerity for you?
अनेन वयसा बाल खेलनीयं त्वयाऽनिशम्
At this age, child, you should be playing all the time.
ततः कौमारमासाद्य वयोऽभिध्यानशीलिना
Then, upon reaching youth, one should be devoted to study.
वयोथ चतुरं प्राप्य योषास्रक्चंदनादिकान् 4.1.20.
And when you attain mature age, adorned with garlands and sandal paste,
उत्पाद्याथ बहून्पुत्रान्गुणिनो धर्मवत्सलान्
Then you should produce many sons, virtuous and devoted to righteousness.
इदानीमेव तपसि बाल्ये वयसि कः श्रमः
What is the point of austerity now, in childhood—what effort is this?
विपक्षपरिभूतेन हृतमानेन केनचित्
When one has been insulted by an enemy, and one's honor has been taken away,
हृतमानेन तप्तव्यं निशम्येति वचो ध्रुवः
It is then that one should undertake austerity, having heard these words, O Dhruva.
जनयित्रीमनाभाष्य भूतभीतिं विहाय च
Without speaking to his mother, and casting off fear of beings,
सापि भूतावली भीतिंबहुभीषणभूषणा
That host of spirits, adorned with many terrifying ornaments,
परितः परिवेषाभं सूर्यस्योच्चैः स्फुरत्प्रभम्
Surrounded on all sides, shining with a brilliance like the sun at its zenith,
भूतावली तमालोक्य स्फुरच्चक्रसुदर्शनम्
That host of spirits, seeing him with the blazing Sudarshana discus,
अतीव निष्कंपहृदं गोविदार्पितचेतसम्
With a heart utterly unmoved, his mind fixed on Govinda,
सापि प्रत्युतभीतातं ध्रुवं ध्रुवविनिश्चयम् 4.1.20.
She too, seeing Dhruva's unwavering resolve, became even more afraid.
गर्जत्कादंबिनीजालं व्योम्नि वै व्याकुलं यथा
Like a tumultuous mass of thunderclouds roaring in the sky,
अथ जंभारिणा सार्धं भीताः सर्वे दिवौकसः
Then, together with Indra, all the gods became afraid.
नत्वा विज्ञापयामासुः परिष्टुत्या पितामहम्
Having bowed, they addressed and praised the Grandfather (Brahma).
तपता तापिताः सर्वे त्रिलोकी तलवासिनः
All the inhabitants of the three worlds were tormented by his austerity.
सम्यक्संविद्महे तात धुवस्य न मनीषितम्
We know well, dear one, that Dhruva's intention is not ours.
इति विज्ञापितो देवैर्विहस्य चतुराननः
Thus addressed by the gods, Four-faced Brahma laughed.
व्रजंतु विज्वराः सर्वे न स वः पदमिच्छति
Let all depart free from distress; he does not desire your position.
न तस्माद्भगवद्भक्ताद्भेतव्यं केनचित्क्वचित्
No one, anywhere, should fear a devotee of the Blessed Lord.
आराध्य विष्णुं देवेशं लब्ध्वा तस्मात्स्वकांक्षितम्
Having worshipped Vishnu, Lord of the gods, and obtained from him one's desired boon—
निशम्येति च गीर्वाणाः प्रणीतं ब्रह्मणो वचः 4.1.20.
Hearing thus the words spoken by Brahma, the celestials listened.
अथ नारायणो देवस्तं दृष्ट्वा दृढमानसम्
Then Narayana, seeing him steadfast in mind—
श्रीविष्णुरुवाच प्रसन्नोस्मि महाभाग वरं वरय सुव्रत
Sri Vishnu said: I am pleased, O highly fortunate one; choose your boon, O virtuous.
वचोऽमृतं समाकर्ण्य पर्युन्मील्य विलोचने
Hearing these nectar-like words, he opened his eyes wide.
प्रत्यग्रविकसन्नीलोत्पलानां निकुरंबकैः
With clusters of freshly blossomed blue lotuses—
लक्ष्मीदेवीकटाक्षोघैः कटाक्षितमिवाखिलम्
By the showers of glances from Lady Lakshmi, everything seemed glanced upon.
प्रोद्यत्कादंबिनीमध्य विद्युद्दामसमानरुक्
In the midst of a rising cloud, with brilliance like a streak of lightning.