STORIES FROM SRIMAD BHAGAVATHAM - 6: THE STORY OF DHRUVA

     Long ago, there lived a king named Uttanapada. He had two wives – Suniti and Suruchi. Suruchi, the younger queen, was more beloved to the king.

Suniti had a son named Dhruva. Suruchi also had a son, named Uttama. When the boys were very small, one day, the king was fondling Uttama, who was seated on his lap. Seeing this, little Dhruva too wanted to climb on his father’s lap. Suruchi – Dhruva’s step-mother – who was nearby, pushed the child away, saying spitefully, “You are fit neither to sit on the royal throne, nor on the king’s lap, because you were not born to me. If you wish to sit on the king’s throne, pray to God that you may be born from my womb.”

The child, hurt by the cruel words of his step-mother, ran crying to his own mother. The good Suniti tried her best to console her son. She was helpless because it was Suruchi who enjoyed the king’s favour. Suniti told Dhruva, “Have no evil thoughts about others, even if they hurt you. Pray to the lotus-feet of Maha Vishnu. He will surely wipe out your sorrow.

Hearing his mother’s words, the child Dhruva – who was only five years old at that time – left his father’s palace. Coming to know this, the celestial sage Narada met him on his path and said, “I can understand that you feel hurt by the words of your step-mother, but you are a small child. Your age is that of play. Go back to the palace and to your father. When you are older, you can devote your time to devotion and austerities.”

Dhruva said, “I have no ill-will against my step mother or anyone else. O great Sage, tell me a way to attain a place which is the highest in the three worlds, and which has not been attained by anyone else before.”

Narada, who had been testing the boy, was pleased to hear his words. He told the child, “Go to Madhuvana (a place near Mathura, the birth-place of Sri Krishna) on the banks of the river Yamuna. There, bathing three times a day in the Yamuna, you must control your breath, senses and mind and contemplate (meditate) with a steady mind on Sri Hari. Imprint on your mind, the Lord’s charming form – His resplendent smiling face, cloud-complexion, His four arms adorned with the conch, discuss, mace and lotus, a crown on His head, ear-rings shaped like alligators, the Kaustubha gem around His neck and His yellow silken robes. By constantly thinking of this form of the Lord, it will be fixed on your mind and you will be able to meditate without interruption.”

Narada imparted the sacred Mantra “Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaya” to Dhruva. He asked Dhruva to repeat this Mantra while meditating on the Lord. As instructed by Narada, the little boy proceeded to Madhuvana.

Narada made his way to king Uttanapada’s palace. Seeing the king in a sad mood, Narada asked, “O King, why are you so sad?” The king replied, “O Sage, I have committed a grave sin. I have exiled my son, a mere child of five years. Wicked as I am, I did not allow him to sit on my lap. Upset with this, he has left the palace and gone to the forest. He may be tired, famished and even eaten up by wild animals. It is all my fault. What a sinner I am!”

Narada consoled the king saying, “Do not grieve for your son. He is protected by the Lord. He will return before long. His greatness and will enhance your reputation and his glory will be known in the whole world.”

Meanwhile, Dhruva spent his time in the forest performing severe austerities with utmost devotion. He meditated, worshipped the Lord with pure water, fruits and Tulsi leaves. He lived on fruits alone, and that too once in three days. Gradually, he stopped even this food, and spent all his time in meditation and the worship of Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna).

Several months passed this way. The Lord, pleased with his devotee, flew to Madhuvana on the back of Garuda (His eagle). Dhruva saw that the Lord’s brilliant form as described by Narada, that had been imprinted on his heart through constant meditation, now stood before him. Struck with awe, Dhruva prostrated himself before the Lord.

Sri Hari blessed the boy saying, “O child, I am pleased with your devotion. I grant to you a position which has never been attained by anyone else – that of the Pole Star (North Star). The planets and other stars revolve around it. May prosperity be with you. Here on earth, when your father retires to the forest handing over the kingdom to you, you will rule with righteousness for many years.”

Having thus blessed Dhruva, the Lord returned to Vaikuntha. Dhruva stood gazing in wonder for some time. He then started on his way back to his father’s kingdom. King Uttanapada, on hearing that Dhruva was coming back, rushed out of the palace along with his wives, ministers and others. On seeing Dhruva, the king was overpowered with affection and held him in a tight embrace.

Dhruva bowed at his father’s feet and received his blessings. Next, the boy bowed at the feet of both his mothers. His step-mother Suruchi, who had since repented her cruel behavior and was filled with remorse, lifted up the child and blessed him. His own mother Suniti was choked with emotion due to happiness. She just held him close to her, tears flowing from her eyes. Next, Dhruva hugged his brother Uttama. All the citizens came out to give a warm welcome to their little prince.

After some years, king Uttanapada, seeing that Dhruva had not only come of age but also won the esteem of the ministers and the people through his virtues, made Dhruva the king and retired to the forest to spend the rest of his days remembering God.

Dhruva ruled the kingdom, always adhering to Dharma (righteousness). The period of his reign was one of peace, prosperity and plenty for all the people in his kingdom. After ruling justly and wisely thus for many years – like his father before him – Dhruva handed over the throne to his son Utkala and headed for the forest to spend his days in the contemplation of the Lord.

As he had done as a boy, he again sat with his breath, senses and mind in complete control and fixing his mind on Maha Vishnu. When he was in that state, two attendants of the Lord arrived there in a divine Vimana (aerial car). They greeted Dhruva and said, “O King, through your virtuous life, you have earned a place in Vaikuntha (the realm of Sri Hari). The Lord Himself has sent us to take you to his abode.

Dhruva bowed before them and boarded the Vimana. As they were about to take off, Dhruva thought of his mother Suniti and said to himself, “Shall I have to proceed to the Lord’s above leaving my poor mother behind?” The Lord’s attendants could read his thoughts. They pointed out to him, his mother on another Vimana ahead of them, also on her way to the same destination.

Dhruva reached the Lord’s abode. It is said that through Sri Hari’s grace, Dhruva eternally shines as the pole star or north star in the sky.

Srimad Bhagavatam itself says that those who hear the “Dhruva Charitam” (story of Dhruva) with devotion are blessed with prosperity, fame, long life and heavenly bliss.

What are the lessons we can learn from Dhruva’s story? First of all, look at Dhruva’s pure and forgiving heart, right from childhood. In spite of the cruel treatment by his step-mother, he bears no ill-will towards her. When Sri Hari offered him a boon, he did not ask for Suruchi to be punished. Let us all cultivate a pure heart and forgiveness like Dhruva.

Dhruva also teaches us how to worship God. Notice how, even as a mere boy of five years, he worshipped and meditated on the Lord with his mind fixed entirely on the Lord, practicing severe austerities. It was not mere external worship. We, too, must learn from Dhruva, to fix our mind on God while praying to him. Mere external offering of flowers or other materials of worship – while our mind wanders here and there - is of no use. We must give our mind and heart to God.

The biggest lesson from Dhruva’s story is that the Lord never forsakes his genuine devotees. If we seek God with full Shraddha (faith) and Bhakti (devotion) like Dhruva, He will definitely answer our prayers. May we all develop this unshakeable faith in the Lord.

This story is based on “Dhruva Charitam”, Srimad Bhagavatam Book 4, Chapters 8 to 12.