Song 26

(Ahirī rāga-Diśā)

Refrain: Nectar words flow from the moon of Lord Gaura’s mouth. How can the creator Brahmā have remained peaceful after creating Lord Gaura’s glorious form?

35. "Please listen and I will tell the wonderful story of Dhruva’s mother and how Dhruva Mahārāja became a great Vaiṣṇava.

36. "It is said (Padyāvalī 8):

15. vyādhasyācaraṇaṃ dhruvasya ca vayo vidyā gajendrasya kiṃ kubjāyāḥ kim u nāma rūpam adhikaṃ kiṃ tat sudhāmno dhanam vaṃśaḥ ko vidurasya yādava-pater ugrasya kiṃ pauruṣaṃ bhaktyā tuṣyatī kevalaṃ na ca guṇair bhakti-priyo mādhavaḥ

"‘Where was the hunter Dharma’s piety, Dhruva’s maturity, and Gajendra’s knowledge? Where was Kubjā’s beauty? Where was Sudāmā’s wealth? Where was Vidura’s noble birth? Where was Ugrasena’s chivalrous strength? Lord Mādhava is pleased only by devotional service and not by material qualifications.’

37. "With a single heart please hear, O mother, the story of how Dhruva Mahārāja attained a very exalted abode.

38. "Svāyambhuva Manu was a mind-born son of the demigod Brahmā. He was powerful and effulgent Lord Brahmā himself.

39. "He had two sons: Priyavrata and Uttānapada. By Brahmā’s mercy they both became great kings.

40. "King Uttānapāda married twice. Srucī and Sunītī were his two beautiful wives.

41. "From Surucī were born dseven sons headed by Uttama. From Sunītī was born only one son, named Dhruva.

42. "Uttama’s mother was favored by Uttānapāda, but Dhruva’s mother was not favored by him.

43. "Beautiful Surucī was the favored queen. Dhruva’s mother became her maidservant.

44. "Though she floated in an ocean of sorrows, Sunītī never complained.

45. "Unhusked rice and unsalted vegetables were the meals given to Dhruva’s mother.

46. "By the time Dhruva was five years old, his kother was suffering many troubles.

47. "One day King Uttānapāda enjoyed pastimes with Surucī on a great throne.

48. "On that jewel throne the seven brothers headed by Uttama also enjoyed many pastimes.

49. "Meanwhile, five-yhear-old Dhruva, playing with other boys, had become covered with dust.

50. "Seeing his seven brothers on his father’s lap, Dhruva began to climb the jewel throne.

51. "Reaching the throne, he went to sit in his father’s lap when hīs stepmother threw him to the ground.

52. "Falling to the ground, Dhruva wept. Controlled by his wife, the king said nothing.

53. "Fallen to the ground, Dhruva wept, his pride crushed. That he was the son of a mother not in favor he did not know.

54. "Dhruva’s stepmother said: ‘You weep for no reason. Though you are a maidservant’s son, you tried to sit on the jewel throne.

55. "‘Birth after birth your mother did not worship Lord Kṛṣṇa. Have you no shame? You tried to sit on the jewel throne.

56. "‘You are the son of an unfortunate mother. Your mother is not a devotee of Lord Viṣṇu. Why should you have the right to sit on a jewel throne?’

57. "These words Dhruva’s seven brothers said to him. Weeping and weeping, Dhruva went to his mother.

58. "‘My stepmother hit me. She threw me from the throne.

59. "‘She said: ‘Your mother never worshiped Lord Kṛṣṇa. Are you not ashamed to try and sit on the jewel throne?’

60. "‘She spoke very strange words. I did not know you were a maidservant."

61. "Hearing these words, Dhruva’s mother wept and said: ‘Dear son, ī never worshiped Lord Kṛṣṇa. I am very unfortunate.

62. "‘Birth after birth I never worshiped Lord Kṛṣṇa. I was never a servant of Lord Kṛṣṇa. I never served Him.

63. "‘Don’t cry. Don’t cry, my son, if your stepmother calls you the son of an unfortunate woman, or the son of a maidservant, or insults you.’

64. "As Dhruva wept, his mother spoke to him the truth of spiritual life." In this way Locana dāsa joyfully sings the glories of Lord Gaura.