—json {

  "name":"SB 4.8.19",
  "h1":"SB 4.8.19",
  "label":"Text 19",
  "title":"Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 4.8.19",
  "description":"My dear boy, whatever has been spoken by Suruci, your stepmother, although very harsh to hear, is factual. Therefore, if you desire at all to sit on the same throne as your stepbrother, Uttama, then give up your envious attitude and immediately try to execute the instructions of your stepmother. Without further delay, you must engage yourself in worshiping the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

} —

SB 4.8.19

आतिष्ठ तत्तात विमत्सरस्त्वमुक्तं समात्रापि यदव्यलीकम् ।
आराधयाधोक्षजपादपद्मं यदीच्छसेऽध्यासनमुत्तमो यथा ॥१९॥

Text

ātiṣṭha tat tāta vimatsaras tvam
uktaṁ samātrāpi yad avyalīkam
ārādhayādhokṣaja-pāda-padmaṁ
yadīcchase 'dhyāsanam uttamo yathā

Synonyms

ātiṣṭha—just execute; tat—that; tāta—my dear son; vimatsaraḥ—without being envious; tvam—unto you; uktam—said; samātrā api—by your stepmother; yat—whatever; avyalīkam—they are all factual; ārādhaya—just begin worshiping; adhokṣaja—the Transcendence; pāda-padmam—lotus feet; yadi—if; icchase—desire; adhyāsanam—to be seated along with; uttamaḥ—your stepbrother; yathā—as much as.

Translation

My dear boy, whatever has been spoken by Suruci, your stepmother, although very harsh to hear, is factual. Therefore, if you desire at all to sit on the same throne as your stepbrother, Uttama, then give up your envious attitude and immediately try to execute the instructions of your stepmother. Without further delay, you must engage yourself in worshiping the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Purport

The harsh words used by Suruci to her stepson were true because unless one is favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead one cannot achieve any success in life. Man proposes, God disposes. Sunīti, the mother of Dhruva Mahārāja, agreed with her co-wife's advice that Dhruva engage himself in the worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Indirectly, the words of Suruci were a benediction for Dhruva Mahārāja, for because of the influence of his stepmother's words, he became a great devotee.