ॐ Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Shrimad Bhagavata Mahatmya
Dhruva's Resolve: The Journey of Devotion and Triumph
In the face of rejection and humiliation, Dhruva's unwavering determination led him on a path of self-discovery and spiritual awakening.
A young boy cast aside by his own stepmother, Dhruva's desire for acceptance turned into a deep devotion to Lord Vishnu.
Guided by his mother's words and inspired by Sage Narada, dhruva embarked on a journey that transformed him from a heartbroken child to an immortal soul revered by the gods.
His story is not just one of persistence, but of the power of devotion to overcome life's harshest trials and secure a place in the divine.
Through Dhruva's journey, we learn that true greatness lies in perseverance, faith, and the power of the divine.
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| Bhagwan Vishnu and Dhruva |
The Story of Dhruva
Morning arrived. With the sun’s presence, the night faded, and the day unfolded, illuminating everything with the light of words.
The vision of sages and seers saw the eternal truth—Brahman—manifest in water, land, wood, and stone. The sages, seated in their places, eagerly awaited the next tale.
The conversation between Parikshit and Shuka continued.
Parikshit, having only seven days to live due to a serpent’s curse, was listening to the Bhagavata Purana.
Hearing these divine stories was his final act of righteousness before death.
Great sages narrated, and other sages listened—such divine gatherings were beyond words.
Shuka said to Parikshit, "Maitreya narrated the story of Dhruva to Vidura."
Maitreya continued, "Vidura, I have told you about the creation of Manu and Shatarupa by Lord Brahma.
They had two sons, Priyavrata and Uttanapada.
King Uttanapada had two wives—Suniti and Suruchi.
Suniti’s son was dhruva, while Suruchi’s son was named Uttama.
Suruchi was the favorite wife of King Uttanapada, while Suniti did not receive the same love.
One day, the king was seated with his son Uttama on his lap, admiring him. Suruchi was sitting nearby.
At that moment, young dhruva arrived. Seeing his father’s affection for Uttama, he too wished to sit on his father’s lap.
He ran up to his father and said, ‘Father, may I also sit on your lap?’
King Uttanapada hesitated. If he allowed dhruva to sit, Suruchi would be displeased.
If he refused, dhruva would feel hurt. For a moment, the king was speechless.
Suruchi, however, spoke harshly, ‘Go away! You have no right to sit on the king’s lap.
Only Uttama, my son, is the rightful prince.
If you wish to sit on your father’s lap, you must be born from my womb.
Do you have such merit? If not, go and perform penance to earn such a birth!’
dhruva was just about to sit on his father’s other knee when Suruchi pushed him away.
Uttama watched silently—he liked dhruva but dared not speak against his mother.
The king looked at Suruchi, his eyes filled with silent disapproval, but he said nothing.
Suruchi’s jealousy overpowered all reason.
Dhruva, humiliated, ran away, sobbing. He turned back to look at Uttama, whose eyes were filled with tears.
King Uttanapada stood helpless, while Suruchi glared at Dhruva with pride. The palace servants watched in silence.
Dhruva, despite being the king’s son, was denied even the right to sit with his father.
Crying, Dhruva ran to his mother and said, ‘Mother, I wanted to sit on father’s lap, but Suruchi did not allow me.
’ His words were broken with sobs. The maidservants told Suniti everything.
Suniti was deeply hurt. Hearing Suruchi’s cruel words was like adding salt to her wounds.
She thought, "If the king does not love me, that is fine, but how could he reject my noble son?"
She embraced Dhruva, wiping his tears, and said, ‘My child, do not be sad. I am your father’s wife, yet he does not care for me.
What value do I hold in his eyes? I cannot compare with Suruchi. If Uttama is to inherit the throne, accept it with grace.
We should never harbor ill will. But listen, Dhruva, the only one who can remove your sorrow is Lord Vishnu.
The great yogis meditate on him, and if he is pleased, he grants anything one desires. The entire universe worships him. Only he can help you.’
Though Suniti spoke these words in despair, they deeply touched Dhruva heart.
Hugging his mother, he said, ‘Then, Mother, I will seek Lord Vishnu. Where does he reside? How do I reach him? I cannot bear this insult.
I will ask him for everything I desire. If neither my father nor you can help me, who else is there for me in this world?’
Wiping his own tears, Dhruva asked, ‘Mother, tell me how I should worship him?’
Suniti was unsure of what to say. She replied, ‘Chanting his name is the greatest method of worship.
The great yogis renounce the world, live in solitude, and meditate for many lifetimes.
You are too young for such hardship.
You are not used to the cold, heat, wind, or rain. Grow up first, then you can perform penance.’
Suniti’s heart was torn between her motherly love, her wounded pride, and her faith in Dharma. She feared losing her son.
But Dhruva was determined. ‘Mother, what harm is there if I start now? I am going.
Living here with insult is unbearable. I will not return until I meet the Lord.’
With that, Dhruva took his mother’s blessings and left. News of his departure spread quickly.
Many tried to stop him at the city gates, but he did not listen.
Humiliation had struck him deeply. Words have a sharper edge than swords.
Dhruva left the kingdom’s borders and kept walking. Soon, Sage Narada met him.
Narada inquired about his journey and, understanding his determination, said, ‘Kshatriyas cannot tolerate insult, that is true.
But, dear child, is this the age to worry about honor and dishonor? Children are known for their forgiving nature.
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| Narada |
Elders make mistakes, and children overlook them. If you become angry over such a small issue, how will you forgive anyone in the future? You wish to seek Lord Vishnu, but it is not easy.
It requires severe penance. Go back home. You are too young. Wait until you grow up.’
Dhruva looked at Narada and, with firm resolve, replied, ‘O great sage! You guide devotees to the Lord, yet you are discouraging me? When I saw you, I believed I would find my path to Vishnu.
But you are telling me to turn back? No! I will not return. A Kshatriya does not retreat. Suruchi insulted me, and her words pierced my heart! I have been cast aside.
I will go to Lord Vishnu and ask him for a position so high that no one can ever cast me away again.
Even when the earth perishes, the sun and moon fade, and the stars dissolve into dust—I will remain firm! Will Vishnu not grant me this? My mother says he is all-powerful.
You always chant ‘Narayana! Narayana!’ and sing his glories. Your music awakened my devotion. Do not discourage me! Teach me the true path to reach the Lord. I will do whatever penance you prescribe, but I must meet him!’
Narada was overjoyed at Dhruva’s determination. ‘Ah! What a resolve, my child! You will indeed achieve your goal! Listen carefully.
Go to Madhuvana on the banks of the Yamuna River. Bathe there thrice daily and sit in deep meditation. Here, let me teach you how to sit steadily in meditation.’
Narada taught Dhruva the proper posture, breathing techniques, and methods of concentration.
He described Lord Vishnu’s divine form and initiated him with the sacred mantra
"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya."
With his guru’s blessings, Dhruva went to the forest and began intense penance. Months passed.
His meditation grew so powerful that the entire cosmos trembled. Even the gods felt suffocated as Dhruva absorbed all the energy of the universe.
Narada's Praise for Dhruva in the Assembly of the Prachetas
Maitreya said, “Do you know how Narada praised Dhruva’s qualities in the assembly of the Prachetas? Wait, let me recite those verses for you.”
Then Maitreya recited the following verses
"Dhruva was insulted by his stepmother’s words,
So, the young boy left for the forest in deep sorrow.
Through his devotion, he attained such a high spiritual position,
That neither Kshatriyas nor Brahmins could ever imagine achieving."
(1)
"Suniti told him, 'Lord Shri Hari is the only giver,
Remember Him in your heart during times of sorrow.'
She herself guided him to meditate on the Lord,
Even though he was just a child, he prayed for the highest position."
(2)
"Dhruva attained an exalted place in Vaikuntha,
A position even the greatest sages fail to achieve despite intense penance.
Though he was just a young boy,
He surpassed time and now eternally resides in Lord Vishnu’s abode."
(3)
Hearing these deeply meaningful verses and the full story of Dhruva, Vidura was overwhelmed with devotion. He went into a state of deep contemplation. Maitreya paused for a moment.
Through Dhruva’s story, he had conveyed to Vidura the secret of devotion—that true devotion means never harboring enmity toward anyone.
At that moment, both Vidura and Maitreya recalled the enmity, war, and destruction between the Kauravas and Pandavas.
Even a great devotee like Dhruva had found it difficult to completely rid himself of resentment.
Vidura came back to his senses and said, “O great sage! How firm was Dhruva’s determination!
It was only due to the guidance of his mother, Suniti, and the teachings of Narada Muni that his faith in Lord Hari deepened, and his penance bore fruit! But just now, you mentioned that Narada had praised Dhruva in the assembly of the Prachetas.
Who are the Prachetas? What was this assembly? I wish to hear their story as well.
I remember that Narada had created the Pañcarātra scriptures and established the tradition of worshiping Lord Hari.
I have also heard that Narada described the divine pastimes of Shri Hari and sang the glories of Dhruva in the presence of the Prachetas while they were performing a yajna.
However, I do not know their full lineage. I would be grateful if you could narrate their entire story in detail.
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