Dhruva Nakshatra, the Shining Star

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Dhruva Nakshatra, the Shining Star

King Uttanapada had two wives, named Suruchi and Suneeti. Both the

wives had a son each-Suruchi's son was named Uttama and Suneeti's son

was called Dhruva. Dhruva was the quiet one, while Uttama was naughty

and bold, used to getting his own way.

 

One day, King Uttanapada was playing with his two children while his

wife Suruchi sat nearby, watching the children at play. Uttama went

and plon-ked himself on his father's lap. Druva too moved towards his

father to sit on his lap, but Mother Suneeti stopped him by

saying, "Dhruva, why don't you go away? Why do you want to sit on

your father's lap, when Uttama is already sitting there? Uttama is my

son; let him sit on his father's lap."

 

With tears in his eyes, Dhruva rushed towards his own mother Suruchi,

to complain. "Mother, Suneeti Ma is not allowing me to sit on

Father's lap."

 

Suruchi Ma replied, "Don't cry, my son. Meditate upon Sage Narayana

and I am certain you will get much greater satisfaction this way."

 

Accepting his mother's advice, Dhruva approached his mother to seek

her permission to leave for the forest in search of Sage Narayana. He

said to his mother, "Can I go in search of Sage Narayana in the

forest?"

 

Mother Suneeti reluctantly agreed, advising him to return as soon as

his wish was fulfilled.

 

Dhruva walked and walked till he reached the innermost part of the

forest. On the way he encountered Sage Narayana and stopped to look

up at his mentor-to-be.

 

Sage Narayana, surprised to see the young Dhruva alone in the forest,

asked him, "What are you doing here in this forest and that too in

the middle of the night?"

 

Dhruva replied, "Sir, I am out in search of Sage Naryana. My mother

has told me that if I meditate on him, then my wish will be granted."

 

Sage Naryana asked, "Son, what do you want? I am Narayana."

 

An excited Dhruva replied, "Oh, Holy Sage! I wish I could attain a

position which neither my father nor my forefathers have reached so

far."

 

Sage Narayana replied, "Son, go to the banks of River Yamuna and

meditate upon Lord Krishna who is very handsome. The Lord carries a

conch in one hand, a wheel in the second, a mace in his third and a

lotus in his fourth hand. While meditating upon him, keep

chanting, `Om namoh, Narayana namaha!' and your wish shall be

granted."

 

Taking leave of Sage Narayana, Dhruva set out for River Yamuna. After

trudging for miles, he reached the Yamuna and sat down on its bank to

meditate, while chanting continuously, "Om namoh, Narayana namaha!"

 

Pleased at his young disciple's dedication, Lord Krishna appeared to

him one day. Lord Krishna asked, "Dhruva, I am very pleased with you.

Ask for whatever you desire and your wish will be granted."

 

Young Dhruva replied, "Sir, your glory and your presence in front of

me is enough for me. I do not want anything else."

 

Lord Krishna replied, "I know what your heart desires. Henceforth you

will reach the highest position. You can go back to your father's

kingdom and rule over your people as a just and kind ruler."

 

Dhruva returned to his father's kingdom and his father, King

Uttanapada and his two wives came forward to receive him and crown

him as king.

 

Dhruva ruled over the kingdom for long. Later, after death, Dhruva

reached heaven to become Nakshatra, the shining star in the celestial

galaxy forever. Today we know him as Dhruva tara (star).