SB 4.8.10
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT 10
- tathā cikīrṣamāṇaṁ taṁ
- sapatnyās tanayaṁ dhruvam
- suruciḥ śṛṇvato rājñaḥ
- serṣyam āhātigarvitā
SYNONYMS
tathā — thus; cikīrṣamāṇam — the child Dhruva, who was trying to get up; tam — unto him; sa-patnyāḥ — of her co-wife (Sunīti); tanayam — son; dhruvam — Dhruva; suruciḥ — Queen Suruci; śṛṇvataḥ — while hearing; rājñaḥ — of the King; sa-īrṣyam — with envy; āha — said; atigarvitā — being too proud.
TRANSLATION
While the child, Dhruva Mahārāja, was trying to get on the lap of his father, Suruci, his stepmother, became very envious of the child, and with great pride she began to speak so as to be heard by the King himself.
PURPORT
The King, of course, was equally affectionate toward both his sons, Uttama and Dhruva, so he had a natural inclination to take Dhruva, as well as Uttama, on his lap. But because of his favoritism towards his queen Suruci, he could not welcome Dhruva Mahārāja, despite his feelings. King Uttānapāda's feeling was understood by Suruci, and therefore with great pride she began to speak about the King's affection for her. This is the nature of woman. If a woman understands that her husband regards her as a favorite and is especially affectionate to her, she takes undue advantage. These symptoms are visible even in such an elevated society as the family of Svāyambhuva Manu. Therefore it is concluded that the feminine nature of woman is present everywhere.