Chapter 62 - Situation of Dhruva (dhruvasaṃsthāna)

Sages said:

1. O foremost among the intelligent, it behoves you now to recount how, due to the grace of Viṣṇu, Dhruva became the central pivot of the planets.^[1]

Sūta said:

2. O brahmins, when he was asked about this matter by me in former time, Mārkaṇḍeya who is an expert in different sciences said to me as I was desirous of hearing.

Mārkaṇḍeya said:

3. An emperor of great splendour, the best among all those who wield weapons, king Uttānapāda, ruled over the earth.

4-5. He had two wives, Sunīti and Suruci. A highly intelligent son of great renown, named Dhruva was born of Sunīti the elder wife. He had great understanding and was the light of the family. When he was seven years old, once he sat in the lap of his father.

6. O leading brahmins, Suruci who was proud of her beauty pushed him away. Delighted in her mind she placed her own son on the lap of his father.

7. The intelligent boy Dhruva became dejected in his mind because he was unable to occupy the lap of his father. He went to his mother and lamented.

8. Overwhelmed by her grief the mother said to her weeping son:—“Suruci is the most beloved of her husband. Her son too is likewise.

9. You, a son born of me, a very unfortunate woman, are also equally unfortunate. Why do you bewail? What for do you weep again and again?

10. If you are distressed in heart you will increase my sorrow. My dear son, you shall by your own power attain a more comfortable and stable abode.”

11-12. On being advised thus by his mother he set out towards the forest. On meeting Viśvāmitra, he bowed to him duly and spoke with his palms joined in reverence:—

“O holy sir, foremost among the pious sages, it behoves you to tell me how I shall obtain a place above everyone.

13. O sage, I was seated on the lap of my father. My step-mother Suruci pushed me aside. My father, the king, did not protest.

14-16. For this very reason, O brahmin, I went to my mother in fright. My mother said to me:—“O son, do not be sorry. You deserve to attain a far greater abode by your own endeavour”. On hearing her words, O great sage, I have come to you for shelter in this forest. O holy sir, O brahmin, I have now met you. By your grace I shall attain the wonderful and excellent abode.

17-18. On being requested thus, the glorious sage said laughingly “O Prince, listen to this. You will attain an excellent abode by propitiating Keśava the lord of the worlds, and the destroyer of distress. He is born of the right limb of Śiva the intelligent great lord.^[2]

19. O highly intelligent one, repeat the Mantra of the lord continuously. It is great, pure and holy, it destroys all sins and yields all desires.

20. Repeat this divine Mantra controlling your sense, with the Praṇava:“namostu vāsudevāya” [Obeisance be to Vāsudeva]. Meditate on the eternal Viṣṇu. Be interested in japa and homa.

21-24. On being advised thus, the boy of great renown bowed to Viśvāmitra and began his japa facing the east He restrained himself and was delighted in his mind. Alertfully he repeated the mantra continuously without break for a year, sustaining himself on vegetables, roots and fruits. Terrible vampires and demons, large fierce beasts like lions rushed at him in order to confound his wits. But, repeating the name Vāsudeva he did not take notice of anything else.

25. A female ghost assuming the form of his mother Sunīti came near him and wept bitterly and miserably.

26-27. “O you are my only son. Why do you torture yourself? Leaving me helpless, you have taken to penance”.

The boy continued his great penance and did not even glance at the lady who spoke thus. With delight in his heart he repeated the name Hari.

28-29. Then all the forms of impediment and harassment subsided from all sides. Seated on Garuḍa lord Viṣṇu who resembled the black cloud in lustre, who is the destroyer of enemies, who was surrounded by Devas and who was being eulogised by great sages, came there before Dhruva.

30-31. On seeing the lord come near, he simply thought within his mind “who is this?” Drinking as it were Hṛṣikeśa the lord of the Universe, by his eyes the boy of great lustre, seated himself and repeated “Vāsudeva”. With the tip of his conch the lord touched his face.

32. Thereupon he attained the highest knowledge. With his palms joined in reverence he eulogised the lord the most excellent of all divine beings.

33. Be favourable, O lord of the chiefs of Devas, O wielder of conch, discus and iron club! O soul of the worlds! O soul of all, O soul of all secrets of the Vedas, O Keśava, I have sought refuge in you.

34. Even the great sages Sanaka and others have not comprehended you, the great Ātman. Then how can I know you? O lord of the worlds, obeisance to you.

35. Then Viṣṇu said to him smiling:—“O dear one, come on. You are Dhruva (steady). Attaining a fixed and steady abode be the first among all luminaries.

36. You along with your mother shall attain the abode of luminaries. This abode is mine, the greatest, the steady splendid abode.

37-38. It was acquired by me from lord Śiva formerly after propitiating him by penance. The devotee who repeats continuously the name Vāsudeva along with the Praṇava ‘om’ the word ‘Bhagavat’ and the word ‘namas’ denoting obeisance attains the fixed abode of Dhruva.”

39-42. Then all Devas, Siddhas, sages and Gandharvas installed Dhruva in that abode along with his mother. Thus, at the behest of Viṣṇu he attained the abode of luminaries. By means of the twelve-syllabled mantra^[3], Dhruva of great splendour attained the highest perfection.

Sūta said:

Hence, the man who makes obeisance to Vāsudeva attains the world of Dhruva and achieves steadiness.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The Sūta narrates the legend of Dhruva, son of Uttānapāda and Sunīti, how Dhruva became the pole star, the pivot of the solar system. Here, the astronomical phenomenon is sought to be explained on the basis of a legend.

[2]:

Viṣṇu is born of the right side of Śiva, while Brahmā is born of the left.

[3]:

The twelve-syllabled mantra of Viṣṇu is: Oṃ namo bhagavate Vāsudevāya.