Hi there!!! Today's story is about the son of King Uttanpada, Dhruva, and how he reached for the sky. This story is a classic example of determination and never giving up. Let's go…
Dhruva was the son of Suneeti, the senior wife of King Uttanpada, and the grandson of Manu, the first man on the Earth. Unfortunately for Dhruva and his mom, Uttanpada loved his second queen, Suruchi, more and was completely partial to her. Dhruva and Suneeti didn't get the first pick, even though they were the first heirs of the family. Suruchi and her son, Uttama, would always get to do anything they wanted first. Dhruva and Suneeti were kind and just, so they didn't complain. Their hearts were strong and righteous, so they didn't act. They just received it happily.
Suruchi's main aim was to dethrone Dhruva and make Uttama the rightful heir to the throne. She would do anything to get what she wanted. Even if it meant killing someone…
One day, Uttanpada was sitting on his throne when Uttama ran and sat on his lap. Uttanpada stroked his sons hair and smiled. He whispered, "Let Dhruva also come here. I don't want y our mom to know though," Uttama pulled his brother to sit on his father's lap, when Suruchi walked up and shoved Dhruva away. She shouted, "Hey!!! My son is sitting on the king's lap!! You can't!! You have no right to sit there!! Get lost!!!" Dhruva immediately burst into tears. He wiped his cheeks, which were pink with sadness. He asked Suruchi, "Where should I go, Suruchi?! Where?!" Pointing out of the palace, Suruchi bellowed, "Go to Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings, okay!! Ask to be reborn as my son. Only then shall you sit on the king's lap!!!" Uttanpada closed his eyes in embarrassment and turned away, leaving Dhurva to run away.
Dhruva, stung by Suruchi's harsh words, ran to Suneeti. Wailing in agony, he hugged his mother. "Huh? What happened, Dhruva?! Oh my God!! Why are you crying like this?!" Suruchi exclaimed. Dhruva sat on her mother's lap and explained Suruchi's horrible words, "Suruchi said that I don't have the rights to sit on father's lap!!! Why mother, why?!" Suneeti, holding back her own tears, whispered to Dhruva, " Be calm, Dhruva. You mustn't cry. Suruchi will definitely get Uttama the throne. So, you might not have the rights." Dhruva continued to explain, not heeding his mother's words, "Suruchi told me to seek Lord Vishnu's blessings if I want to sit on my father's lap. Will he really help me, mother?" Suneeti grinned with pleasure and narrated, " Yes, my child. He never fails those who turn to him," Secure in his mother's arms, Dhruva became calm and thoughtful. His face changed from that of a sad boy, to a determined and steadfast one. He proclaimed, "Then I shall seek him out," Suneeti lifted Dhruva off her lap and onto the floor. She kept her hands on his shoulders and beamed, "Go, my son. He is the only one who can help us. It will not be easy to find him. But if you try hard enough you will succeed. Go, my son. Go!!" Dhruva ran off out of the palace and into the dense forest. He exclaimed, "I will succeed, mother. I will not return until I meet the Lord. I will become a greater King than my father and his father before him." Dhruva ran off into the dense forest.
Meanwhile, Sage Narada, the wandering sage, came to know of Suruchi's harsh words and Dhruva's resolve. He thought to himself, "He is a true Kshatriya indeed. Though a mere child, he will not brook the insults of Suruchi. Yet, what he seeks is impossible. I must speak to him," Narada searched for Dhruva, who had reached another end of the huge forest. He had literally covered miles on his bare feet!!!
Eventually, Narada reached Dhruva. He huffed and puffed, as Dhruva bowed down at his feet. "My child, why don't you accept your fate and go back to your mother?" Dhruva grinned and said, "Namaste, O master. I am Dhruva, the son of King Uttanpada, a Kshatriya. I am determined to win the lord favour, without paying heed to my surroundings," Narada got slightly agitated at Dhruva's behaviour, but he continued, "I am aware of that, little one, but you are too young to find Lord Narayana. Why don't you wait until you are a little older?" Dhruva stomped his foot in determination and proclaimed, "Forgive me, master, but I will not turn back. Pray, tell me how I can succeed in my resolve?"
Suddenly, Narada was overwhelmed by Dhruva's devotion. He was extremely pleased, and said, "If you meditate in the Madhuvana forest on the banks of the River Yamuna, you will find the Lord," Dhruva again bowed down and said, "O master, teach me how to meditate. I haven't a clue how to!!" Narada closed his eyes and asked Dhruva to repeat after him, "Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!" Dhruva did the same with ease and continued to for hours on end. He stopped only when the sun had gone down and the glistening moon had come up into the sky and the blue sky had turned a deep black-purple, with gleaming bright, white stars shining in the distance. Narada blessed Dhruva and sent him to Madhuvana.
The net day, Narada went to King Uttanpada's palace and met him." Welcome, sage Narada!! Please be seated," proclaimed Uttanpada. He treated Narada with great care and tended to all his pleas.
Narada and Uttanpada went to sit in Uttanpada's chambers. Narada sat down on one of the king's couches, but Uttanpada stood dazed, deep in thought. Narada asked him, "What has happened, O King? What thoughts do you ponder in your mind?!" Uttanpada confessed his thoughts, "Holy sage, I am the vilest of all men in the world. I did not utter a word when Suruchi drove poor Dhruva away with her cruel words. Alas!!! He has gone into the forest, all alone. The beasts will devour him!! I fear for his life," Narada laughed, "Oh King!!! Do not worry!! The Lord himself will protect your son. He will come back, bringing glory to all!!" Uttanpada bowed down to Narada, who blessed him.
Meanwhile, Dhruva reached the Madhuvana forest, far away on the banks of River Yamuna. He sat down in a tall tree and started to meditate, "Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!! Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!!" He continued his penance fervently.
Through the first month, he lived off only the fruits and berries that grew in the forest. He plucked what he could find off of the highest trees, off the widest logs and off the deepest ditches. After eating only what he could, Dhruva continued chanting, "On Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!! Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!"
Gradually, he gave up his berry-eating lifestyle. In the second month, he lived off only the green grass and the tender leaves that grew on the tips of the long branches of the trees in the forest. He plucked the greenest grass he found and swallowed it, without feeling the urge to go home and live his life.
Through the third month, he stopped eating itself and lived off the pure water of the River Yamuna!! He would drink a few sips of water a day, and carry on with his meditation. He couldn't stop thinking of the Lord. He repeatedly chanted, "Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!! Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!!"
In the fourth month, He gave up every worldly object he needed and survived on the air alone!! Throughout the whole month, he repeated the mantra over and over and over again!!! His hair had grown long enough to touch his feet by then!!! But, he had no need to cut it!! His mind was focused only and only on the Lord, "OM NAMO BHAGAWATE VASUDEVAYA!!!! OM NAMO BHAGAWATE VASUDEVAYA!!!!!!!" He gradually even stopped breathing!!! His chants were so strong, that he could survive without air and still chant!!!!!
Dhruva concentration stopped the very air from flowing through the universe. There was pandemonium and panic in the heavens and on earth. Devas and humans alike gasped for air, as the very life source they needed had just gone down the pipe!!! All the air in the universe had vanished because of Dhruva's concentration. The Devas rushed to Lord Vishnu, who was sitting on Garuda, his vehicle. The Devas barely explained what was happening to him. They could use the very little breath that they had to whisper what was happening to Vishnu. He replied with a chuckle, "Don't fret. Do not despair. I shall descend to earth and grant Dhruva the boon he seeks," Vishnu flew on Garuda down to earth and saw Dhruva meditating. Dhruva thought, "Lord, I thought I had found you, but you've not come yet!! Where are you?! Have I failed you?! Has my worship not been enough for you. In that case, I shall start over again, " Dhruva opened his eyes to see an amazing sight!!! He saw the Lord standing right in his presence!!! He bowed down and touched Vishnu's feet. Vishnu said, "Hello, Dhruva. I know what brought you to Madhuvana. May you be the greatest king ever known. May you rule for 36,000 years. Then, I will give you a place in heaven where you can stay forever!!! Go back to your mother. She shall be awaiting you, " Dhruva didn't reply. He just whispered, "Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!"
Meanwhile, at the palace of Uttanpada, many of Uttanpada's messengers rushed to him, telling him the news of Dhruva's returning!! Uttanpada gave off nearly all of his jewels and gems in ecstasy and proclaimed, "Prepare my chariot!! Call all of my subjects!!! Let them know that Prince Dhruva is coming back!!! We shall all go and meet him in the Madhuvana!!!"
Dhruva sat in the Madhuvana, anxiously getting ready to leave the banks of the Yamuna. Suddenly, Queen Suneeti rushed up to him!! She hugged him with love and exclaimed, "Oh, my son!!! Thank goodness you're alive!!!!" Dhruva rushed to meet his mother. Uttanpada ran to him too, and they all embraced each other.
Thus Dhruva's determination and hard work paid off.
Fun Fact Nº 1: Dhruva got himself his own heaven when he died!!! It is called Dhruvaloka.
Fun Fact Nº 2: Dhruva also became a star which is visible to us. It is very familiar. It is called the Pole Star (Dhruva Nakshatra).
Thanks for reading The Tale of Dhruva!!!!! Please type your email in the box above the followers and click the blue button to receive emails about my posts!!!! Happy Reading!!!!!!
Dhruva was the son of Suneeti, the senior wife of King Uttanpada, and the grandson of Manu, the first man on the Earth. Unfortunately for Dhruva and his mom, Uttanpada loved his second queen, Suruchi, more and was completely partial to her. Dhruva and Suneeti didn't get the first pick, even though they were the first heirs of the family. Suruchi and her son, Uttama, would always get to do anything they wanted first. Dhruva and Suneeti were kind and just, so they didn't complain. Their hearts were strong and righteous, so they didn't act. They just received it happily.
Suruchi's main aim was to dethrone Dhruva and make Uttama the rightful heir to the throne. She would do anything to get what she wanted. Even if it meant killing someone…
One day, Uttanpada was sitting on his throne when Uttama ran and sat on his lap. Uttanpada stroked his sons hair and smiled. He whispered, "Let Dhruva also come here. I don't want y our mom to know though," Uttama pulled his brother to sit on his father's lap, when Suruchi walked up and shoved Dhruva away. She shouted, "Hey!!! My son is sitting on the king's lap!! You can't!! You have no right to sit there!! Get lost!!!" Dhruva immediately burst into tears. He wiped his cheeks, which were pink with sadness. He asked Suruchi, "Where should I go, Suruchi?! Where?!" Pointing out of the palace, Suruchi bellowed, "Go to Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings, okay!! Ask to be reborn as my son. Only then shall you sit on the king's lap!!!" Uttanpada closed his eyes in embarrassment and turned away, leaving Dhurva to run away.
Dhruva, stung by Suruchi's harsh words, ran to Suneeti. Wailing in agony, he hugged his mother. "Huh? What happened, Dhruva?! Oh my God!! Why are you crying like this?!" Suruchi exclaimed. Dhruva sat on her mother's lap and explained Suruchi's horrible words, "Suruchi said that I don't have the rights to sit on father's lap!!! Why mother, why?!" Suneeti, holding back her own tears, whispered to Dhruva, " Be calm, Dhruva. You mustn't cry. Suruchi will definitely get Uttama the throne. So, you might not have the rights." Dhruva continued to explain, not heeding his mother's words, "Suruchi told me to seek Lord Vishnu's blessings if I want to sit on my father's lap. Will he really help me, mother?" Suneeti grinned with pleasure and narrated, " Yes, my child. He never fails those who turn to him," Secure in his mother's arms, Dhruva became calm and thoughtful. His face changed from that of a sad boy, to a determined and steadfast one. He proclaimed, "Then I shall seek him out," Suneeti lifted Dhruva off her lap and onto the floor. She kept her hands on his shoulders and beamed, "Go, my son. He is the only one who can help us. It will not be easy to find him. But if you try hard enough you will succeed. Go, my son. Go!!" Dhruva ran off out of the palace and into the dense forest. He exclaimed, "I will succeed, mother. I will not return until I meet the Lord. I will become a greater King than my father and his father before him." Dhruva ran off into the dense forest.
Meanwhile, Sage Narada, the wandering sage, came to know of Suruchi's harsh words and Dhruva's resolve. He thought to himself, "He is a true Kshatriya indeed. Though a mere child, he will not brook the insults of Suruchi. Yet, what he seeks is impossible. I must speak to him," Narada searched for Dhruva, who had reached another end of the huge forest. He had literally covered miles on his bare feet!!!
Eventually, Narada reached Dhruva. He huffed and puffed, as Dhruva bowed down at his feet. "My child, why don't you accept your fate and go back to your mother?" Dhruva grinned and said, "Namaste, O master. I am Dhruva, the son of King Uttanpada, a Kshatriya. I am determined to win the lord favour, without paying heed to my surroundings," Narada got slightly agitated at Dhruva's behaviour, but he continued, "I am aware of that, little one, but you are too young to find Lord Narayana. Why don't you wait until you are a little older?" Dhruva stomped his foot in determination and proclaimed, "Forgive me, master, but I will not turn back. Pray, tell me how I can succeed in my resolve?"
Suddenly, Narada was overwhelmed by Dhruva's devotion. He was extremely pleased, and said, "If you meditate in the Madhuvana forest on the banks of the River Yamuna, you will find the Lord," Dhruva again bowed down and said, "O master, teach me how to meditate. I haven't a clue how to!!" Narada closed his eyes and asked Dhruva to repeat after him, "Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!" Dhruva did the same with ease and continued to for hours on end. He stopped only when the sun had gone down and the glistening moon had come up into the sky and the blue sky had turned a deep black-purple, with gleaming bright, white stars shining in the distance. Narada blessed Dhruva and sent him to Madhuvana.
The net day, Narada went to King Uttanpada's palace and met him." Welcome, sage Narada!! Please be seated," proclaimed Uttanpada. He treated Narada with great care and tended to all his pleas.
Narada and Uttanpada went to sit in Uttanpada's chambers. Narada sat down on one of the king's couches, but Uttanpada stood dazed, deep in thought. Narada asked him, "What has happened, O King? What thoughts do you ponder in your mind?!" Uttanpada confessed his thoughts, "Holy sage, I am the vilest of all men in the world. I did not utter a word when Suruchi drove poor Dhruva away with her cruel words. Alas!!! He has gone into the forest, all alone. The beasts will devour him!! I fear for his life," Narada laughed, "Oh King!!! Do not worry!! The Lord himself will protect your son. He will come back, bringing glory to all!!" Uttanpada bowed down to Narada, who blessed him.
Meanwhile, Dhruva reached the Madhuvana forest, far away on the banks of River Yamuna. He sat down in a tall tree and started to meditate, "Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!! Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!!" He continued his penance fervently.
Through the first month, he lived off only the fruits and berries that grew in the forest. He plucked what he could find off of the highest trees, off the widest logs and off the deepest ditches. After eating only what he could, Dhruva continued chanting, "On Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!! Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!"
Gradually, he gave up his berry-eating lifestyle. In the second month, he lived off only the green grass and the tender leaves that grew on the tips of the long branches of the trees in the forest. He plucked the greenest grass he found and swallowed it, without feeling the urge to go home and live his life.
Through the third month, he stopped eating itself and lived off the pure water of the River Yamuna!! He would drink a few sips of water a day, and carry on with his meditation. He couldn't stop thinking of the Lord. He repeatedly chanted, "Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!! Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!!"
In the fourth month, He gave up every worldly object he needed and survived on the air alone!! Throughout the whole month, he repeated the mantra over and over and over again!!! His hair had grown long enough to touch his feet by then!!! But, he had no need to cut it!! His mind was focused only and only on the Lord, "OM NAMO BHAGAWATE VASUDEVAYA!!!! OM NAMO BHAGAWATE VASUDEVAYA!!!!!!!" He gradually even stopped breathing!!! His chants were so strong, that he could survive without air and still chant!!!!!
Dhruva concentration stopped the very air from flowing through the universe. There was pandemonium and panic in the heavens and on earth. Devas and humans alike gasped for air, as the very life source they needed had just gone down the pipe!!! All the air in the universe had vanished because of Dhruva's concentration. The Devas rushed to Lord Vishnu, who was sitting on Garuda, his vehicle. The Devas barely explained what was happening to him. They could use the very little breath that they had to whisper what was happening to Vishnu. He replied with a chuckle, "Don't fret. Do not despair. I shall descend to earth and grant Dhruva the boon he seeks," Vishnu flew on Garuda down to earth and saw Dhruva meditating. Dhruva thought, "Lord, I thought I had found you, but you've not come yet!! Where are you?! Have I failed you?! Has my worship not been enough for you. In that case, I shall start over again, " Dhruva opened his eyes to see an amazing sight!!! He saw the Lord standing right in his presence!!! He bowed down and touched Vishnu's feet. Vishnu said, "Hello, Dhruva. I know what brought you to Madhuvana. May you be the greatest king ever known. May you rule for 36,000 years. Then, I will give you a place in heaven where you can stay forever!!! Go back to your mother. She shall be awaiting you, " Dhruva didn't reply. He just whispered, "Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!"
Meanwhile, at the palace of Uttanpada, many of Uttanpada's messengers rushed to him, telling him the news of Dhruva's returning!! Uttanpada gave off nearly all of his jewels and gems in ecstasy and proclaimed, "Prepare my chariot!! Call all of my subjects!!! Let them know that Prince Dhruva is coming back!!! We shall all go and meet him in the Madhuvana!!!"
Dhruva sat in the Madhuvana, anxiously getting ready to leave the banks of the Yamuna. Suddenly, Queen Suneeti rushed up to him!! She hugged him with love and exclaimed, "Oh, my son!!! Thank goodness you're alive!!!!" Dhruva rushed to meet his mother. Uttanpada ran to him too, and they all embraced each other.
Thus Dhruva's determination and hard work paid off.
Fun Fact Nº 1: Dhruva got himself his own heaven when he died!!! It is called Dhruvaloka.
Fun Fact Nº 2: Dhruva also became a star which is visible to us. It is very familiar. It is called the Pole Star (Dhruva Nakshatra).
Thanks for reading The Tale of Dhruva!!!!! Please type your email in the box above the followers and click the blue button to receive emails about my posts!!!! Happy Reading!!!!!!
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