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When young Dhruva was denied his father's love, he sought divine blessings from Lord Vishnu. His unwavering devotion turned him into the eternal Pole Star that never moves.
Characters in the story:
Dhruva: The young prince whose unshakable devotion to lord Vishnu earned him place in the sky as the immovable Pole Star.
Lord Vishnu: Lord Vishnu is one of the three major deities in Hinduism, known as the preserver of the universe and the protector of dharma (righteousness). He is often depicted with four arms holding a conch shell, a discus, a mace, and a lotus flower.
Narada Muni: Narada Muni is a divine sage and a devotee of Lord Vishnu. He is known for his wisdom, musical talents, and his role as a messenger and mediator between the gods and humans.
Long ago, King Uttanapada reigned over a golden kingdom, his heart divided between two queens: Suniti, the elder, kind-hearted but neglected, and Suruchi, the younger, whose beauty masked her ruthlessness.
Consumed by jealousy, Suruchi schemed to secure the throne for her son, Uttama. She manipulated the king, accusing Suniti of treachery until Uttanapada, blinded by infatuation, banished Suniti and her five-year-old son, Dhruva, to the harsh wilderness.
In the forest, Suniti sheltered her son in a humble hut, teaching him resilience and virtue. Dhruva grew into a curious, bright child.
One evening, as they gathered firewood, he asked, “Mother, why do we live alone? Where is my father?” Suniti’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Your father is King Uttanapada, my son. He rules a palace far from here.”
A Boy’s Quest for Love
At seven, Dhruva’s longing to meet his father overpowered him. “I must go to him,” he insisted. Suniti, though fearful, blessed him. “Follow the river north, and may the gods protect you.”
After days of travel, Dhruva reached the palace gardens, where the king sat amidst blooming lotuses. The boy rushed forward, clasping the king’s feet. “Father! I am Dhruva, your son!” Uttanapada, startled, recognized Suniti’s gentle eyes in the child’s face. Overcome with guilt, he lifted Dhruva onto his lap, whispering, “Forgive me, my child.”
But Suruchi, witnessing this, erupted in fury. “How dare this forest rat claim your love?” She yanked Dhruva by the arm, hurling him to the ground. “Your throne belongs to Uttama! Never return, or I’ll have you both killed!” The king, cowed by Suruchi’s wrath, turned away.
The Call of the Divine
Bruised and heartbroken, Dhruva returned to Suniti. “Is there no one mightier than a king?” he asked. “Yes,” Suniti replied. “Narayan (Lord Vishnu), who dwells beyond the mountains. His justice is unshakable.”
That night, Dhruva slipped away, guided by the stars, vowing, “I will find Narayan and claim a place no one can steal.”
Trials in the Wilderness
For weeks, Dhruva trekked through icy ravines and scorching deserts, surviving on wild berries. Exhausted, he collapsed at the edge of the northern sky, where the sage Narada appeared. “Child, why do you wander?” Dhruva pleaded, “I seek Narayan.” Moved, Narada taught him the sacred mantra “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” and instructed, “Meditate here. Let no distraction sway you.”
Dhruva stood on one leg, chanting with fiery resolve. His penance shook the earth, disturbing the Saptarishis (Seven Sages), whose meditations faltered. “What force rivals the gods?” they wondered. Tracing the energy, they found a skeletal boy, his lips cracked but spirit unbroken. Awestruck, the sages formed a circle around him, chanting in unison.
Divine Deception and Triumph
In Svarga, Indra, king of gods, trembled. “Such power could topple my throne!” He conjured illusions: first, a phantom Suniti, weeping, “Return home, my son!” Dhruva’s eyelids fluttered but remained shut. Enraged, Indra unleashed storms, serpents, and demons. Yet Dhruva, immersed in Vishnu’s name, stood untouched, his aura repelling evil.
Finally, the heavens parted. Vishnu descended, his conch and discus glowing.
“Dhruva, your steadfastness has moved the cosmos. Ask your heart’s desire.” The boy bowed. “Grant my father freedom from Suruchi’s grip. Let him rule justly.” Vishnu smiled. “Your father’s heart already repents. But I grant you eternity: you shall be the Pole Star, a guide for all who seek light in darkness.”
A Cosmic Legacy
Vishnu touched Dhruva’s forehead. His body dissolved into starlight, ascending to the northern sky. The Saptarishis, honored for their protection, became the Great Bear constellation, forever circling Dhruva. Suruchi, stricken with remorse, begged forgiveness, and Uttama grew to rule wisely under Dhruva’s celestial gaze.
To this day, Dhruva-tara (Pole Star) blazes fixedly, a testament to a child’s unyielding faith. Sailors steer by its light, sages decode its mysteries, and mothers and grandmothers recount Dhruva’s tale—of how love’s rejection birthed immortality, and how the meek, through grit, outshine even kings.
True strength lies not in power or vengeance, but in unwavering integrity. Dhruva’s star teaches that even the deepest wounds can become eternal light when met with resilience and faith.
