Tale of Dhruv

The king Swayambhu Manu had two sons- Priyvrat and Uttanpad. King Uttanpad had two queens- Suniti and Suruchi. Uttanpad loved Suruchi more than he loved Suniti. As a result the son of suruchi called Uttam enjoyed all the luxuries than the son of Suniti ,Dhruv. Once the King was playing with his soon Uttam who was siting in his lap. Meanwhile, Dhruv too arrived there and began insisting to sit in his father's lap. Just then, Suruchi too arrived there. Boasting at her fortune, she ridiculed Dhruv: 'Though you are also a son of the king, but you have no right to sit on the throne because you are not borne to me.Even then if you wish to have the throne, you begin to worship Lord Narayana, and take birth through me by His grace and then wait for your chance to sit in the King's lap.'
When Suniti heard about the incidence, she felt very sorry. Still, with patience she consoled her son Dhruv, She told him:
1. If you have to beg for something, let that be from God!
2. However much you ask of a human being, it will be little.
3. Many a times asking brings with it, humiliation.
4. When God gives, he gives in plenty.
5. God will make you sit on his lap with love. He is the true father of Mankind.
6. Before you go, ask for the blessings of Suruchi.
7. Suruchi has spoken words of truth, even if you want the throne, pray to the Lord!
8. Go to the forest and perform penance.
I am not sending you alone, my blessings and God are with you.

Mother's words shook the conscience of Dhruv. He at once set out with firm determination to please Shri Hari by penance.He met devarshi Narad in the way. Sage Narad tried to test his determination. Narad tried everything to convince Dhruv to send him back to his home, but he failed to shake the firm determination of the boy. Then with kindness, Narad preached Dhruv about Lord's appearance and gave him a mantra. Thus, Naradji performed his duty as Guru Dhruv arrived in Madhuvan and took a seat under a Kadamb tree on the bank of the river Yamuna. There he began to recite the mantra and meditation. During the first month he ate roots and tubers. In the second month he ate dried leaves. During the third month he managed with Yamuna's water. During the fourth month he sustained himself on the air only. Dhruv even stopped breathing. Now, standing on one leg only, he was fully concentrated in Lord Vasudev. At the moment when Dhruv stopped breathing and concentrated in Parbrahma, all the three worlds shook with fear.
All the gods ran to the refuge of Lord. Because of stopping of breath all the organisms stood still. Assuring them not to be afraid, Lord arrived in Madhuvan to see His beloved devotee Dhruv. As the Lord stood in front of Dhruv, the latter did not open his eyes as he was already seeing the Almighty within his own heart. The Lord made the form that Dhruv was witnessing within himself, disappear! Dhruv became restless and opened his eyes Seeing the Lord Himself arrived before him, Dhruv's eyes filled with tears. He said, " O Lord, I don't know how to worship you." Lord touched his cheek with His conch. With that, Dhruv came to realize the glory of God. With complete devotion and folded hands, he worshiped Shri Hari: He exclaimed: "You are also within me! You are the one that makes my senses come alive! You are responsible for inspiring my intellect! You have the power of saving man from the cycle of Life and Death! You are capable of fulfilling all desires…and yet men ask of you that which will be the cause of their destruction! One can achieve You only by Your Grace!
Pleased by his prayer Lord stroked Dhruv's head and said, " Your desire shall materialize. After enjoying your kingdom, you shall come to my abode which is far above the Saptrishis? The Lord knew that Dhruv had started his penance because he had wanted to sit in his father’s lap. Dhruv was transported to the highest point of heaven, where he sits on his Divine father’s lap as the Pole Star,also known as the North Star..


On his return his father handed him the kingdom of the entire earth. Thereafter Dhruv ruled the earth for a period of thirty-six thousand years. Even death bowed before him. Indeed, the devotees of God have no fear of death.