From: Jyoti Pahuja

Dhruva Maharaj: "Because of my state of complete foolishness and
paucity of pious activities, although the Lord offered me His personal
service, I wanted material name, fame and prosperity. My case is just
like that of the poor man who, when he satisfied a great emperor who
wanted to give him anything he might ask, out of ignorance asked only
a few broken grains of husked rice."

PURPORT

In this verse the word svārājyam, which means "complete independence,"
is very significant. A conditioned soul does not know what complete
independence is. Complete independence means situation in one's own
constitutional position. The real independence of a living entity, who
is part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is to remain
always dependent on the Supreme Lord, just like a child who plays in
complete independence, guided by his parents, who watch over him. The
independence of the conditioned soul does not mean to fight with the
obstacles offered by māyā, but to surrender to Kṛṣṇa. In the
material world, everyone is trying to become completely independent
simply by fighting against the obstacles offered by māyā. This is
called the struggle for existence. Real independence is to be
reinstated in the service of the Lord. Anyone who goes to the
Vaikuṇṭha planets or Goloka Vṛndāvana planet is freely offering his
service to the Lord. That is complete independence. The living entity
cannot be happy trying to be independent in the material world. One
has to surrender, therefore, unto the lotus feet of the Lord and
engage in his original, eternal service.

Dhruva Mahārāja regrets that he wanted material opulence and greater
prosperity than that of his great-grandfather, Lord Brahmā. His
begging from the Lord was like a poor man's asking a great emperor for
a few grains of broken rice.

The conclusion is that anyone who is engaged in the loving service of
the Lord should never ask for material prosperity from the Lord. The
awarding of material prosperity simply depends on the stringent rules
and regulations of the external energy. Pure devotees ask the Lord
only for the privilege of serving Him. This is our real independence.
If we want anything else, it is a sign of our misfortune.

Srimad Bhagavatam :: 4.9.35



--
The only way to counteract the effects of this age of Kali is chanting
the Holy Names of Lord Krsna. There is no other way. There is no other
way. There is no other way. (Brhan Naradiya Purana)
Chant and be happy - "Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare/
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare"