Author – Awadhesh Sharma
In the Hindu marriage ceremony, the bride and the bridegroom look at or towards the direction of the Dhruv-tara, the polar star. It is a part of the ritual that signifies constancy and sanctity of the union between the couple. It also reminds the pair of the firmness and devotion of the legendary prince Dhruv. He attained the region of Dhruv-tara with his dedication and austere penance, performed to achieve his objectives in the primeval era. The legend of Dhurv is described in detail in the Bhagavat Puran and in the Vishnu Puran.
It happened during the early period of Creation of the world. During the prolonged process of creation, Brahma cleft himself into two, a male and a female human. The male was called Svayambhu Manu, self manifested human, and the female was called Shatarupa, with hundred beautiful forms. Their progeny became the human race on the earth. Through their union, Manu and Shatarupa produced five children, three daughters and two sons. The three daughters were named Aakuti, Devahuti and Prasuti. They were wedded to sages Ruchi, Kardam and Daksh respectively who were produced earlier by Brahma through his mental command. Sons were named Priyavrat and Uttanapad.
Manu was the original sovereign king of the created world. He ruled his kingdon for a long period and after his retirement, the second son Uttanapad ascended the throne. The first born son Priyavrat was more interested in performing penance and meditation than in ruling a kingdom. He went to forest to pursue his objectives.
Uttanapad had two wives named Suniti and Suruchi. He had a son named Dhruv from his elder wife Suniti and another son called Uttam from the younger wife Suruchi. The king was very fond of his younger wife and spent most of his free time with her and their son Uttam, at her palace. Suniti and Dhruv felt neglected, despite being the first wife and elder son.
Once at the age of five years, Dhruv went to Suruchi’s palace, where he saw Uttam sitting on his father’s lap. Uttanapad was lovingly playing with him. Dhruv also desired to be loved by his father and rushed to him with open arms to embrace him and affectionately sat on his lap. Suruchi saw Dhruv sitting on the king’s lap. Out of jealously, she went to him and dragged Dhruv away from his father’s lap. She scolded him, telling the boy that he was not fortunate enough to sit on the king’s lap, as he was not born to her, the favourite wife of the king. If he wanted to be loved by the king, then he should pray God to be born as her son at least in the next life. Shocked by the treatment of his step-mother, Dhruv looked at his father hoping his father would say something in his favour. Unfortunately, the king remained silent and did not utter a word, or even glanced at Dhruv.
Distressed by the treatment of his father and step-mother, Dhruv ran back sobbing to his mother Suniti. On enquiry, Dhruv told Suniti what had happened to him in Suruchi’s palace. The mother consoled Dhruv and lamented, for seeing her son insulted by Suruchi and neglected by the king. Dhruv expected that his mother would convince his father to love him, however Suniti expressed her helplessness, as the king was under the sway of his second wife. Dhruv asked his mother if there was anything he could do to secure his father’s affection. Suniti responded by suggesting that there was only one who could help him. It was Lord Vishnu, the supreme personality of godhead. It was the same god about whom Suruchi had earlier told Dhruv to pray so he may be born as her son at least in the next life. By praying and meditating on Vishnu, Dhruv could achieve anything he wished. Dhruv decided to pray and meditate on Vishnu, to achieve his objectives.
Dhruv, the five year old boy, left the palace and the city of his father, to go to forest and pray and meditate on Vishnu to please him. Realising the difficult path chosen by Dhruv, Narad the travelling sage appeared before him. Placing his hand on Dhruv’s head as a mark of blessing, Narad sympathised with him, and praised him for his endevour to overcome the sorrow caused by step-mother’s insult and father’s neglect. Narad cautioned him about the difficulties associated with praying and meditating in a forest environment. These activities were difficult for even matured and resourceful people, let alone for a five year old boy. He advised Dhruv to return home to his mother, and to pray and meditate when he was old enough to endure troubles arising from performing these activities. Dhruv had already made up his mind and was determined to proceed to the forest.
Sensing the strength of character on Dhruv’s face, Narad wished to help him. He described the attributes of Vishnu, his physical forms as mentioned in scriptures and taught him the Mul Mantra, “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevay” to chant, with concentration of mind on the lotus-like feet of Vishnu. Dhruv prostrated himself before Narad, who blessed Dhruv and assured him that by chanting this Mantra, he would achieve his wishes.
Dhruv travelled to the sacred forest called Madhuvan and started his penance there. He gradually reduced his food intake from solid fruits to water and eventually only breathing air once every twelve days. Dhruv’s penance alarmed the deities in Heaven. Indra, the king of deities, felt threatened and afraid of potential loss of his position. He sent wild animals such as tigers and snakes, and evil sprits to frighten Dhruv, but he was so absorbed in chanting of the Mul Mantra, with focus on Vishnu’s feet that he did not notice any wild animal or ghoul. He had withdrawn his senses from their objects, and concentrated his mind on his soul as an abode of Vishnu.
Standing on one leg, Dhruv continued his meditation on Vishnu. The earth tilted with the pressure of his one foot. It started shaking to maintain its balance. When Dhruv stopped breathing, all the deities could not breathe. They went flying to Vishnu and asked him to coerce Dhruv to stop his penance. Vishnu explained to them that Dhruv was his great devotee and he had assimilated his mind with him. He promised the group that he would approach Dhruv and bless him with fulfilment of his objectives.
As promised to the deities, Vishnu came to Dhruv, who felt as if Vishnu has gone out of his heart. He opened his eyes and saw Vishnu standing before him in person, in a physical form as described by Narad. He prostrated himself before Vishnu like a stick, and stood up smiling with rapturous love. Vishnu noticed his lips moving but no sound came from them. Vishnu touched his mouth with his conch Panchjanya which is an embodiment of the Vedas. Dhruv started his prayer which is now known as the Dhruv prayer.
Vishnu was delighted with his prayer. He spoke affectionately to Dhruv and suggested him to ask for anything that he wished. Dhruv told him that by sighting him, he had received everything and did not wish anything else.
However, Vishnu knew the reason why Dhruv had started his penance in the first place. Vishnu said, “you wanted to be loved by your father, be a king and inherit your father’s kingdom. All those wishes will be fulfilled and you will rule for thirty six thousand years on the Earth. Finally, when you will leave your body, you will come straight to me, and be free.
Also, I will give you an eternal place in the sky, higher than the place of the Saptarishi, seven sage stars. The sun and moon will revolve around you; the galaxy will orbit you. Even during Pralay, the cosmic dissolution, you will remain firm in your position. Now you go home. Your father is waiting for you.”
In the meantime, a few days after Dhruv departed for the forest, Narad went to Uttanapad and found him distraught and repenting for his son Dhruv, who had left him due to his mistreatment in the palace. Narad consoled him and promised that one day your son will return home. Later, when Narad learnt about the success of Dhruv’s endeavour, he again came to Uttanapad and informed him to make preparations to welcome Dhruv, who was on his way back to him.
Finally Dhruv returned to his father’s kingdom. The king along with his entourage and public welcomed him with a grand celebration. The step-mother was very ashamed of her action, but Dhruv especially thanked her for her action. He praised her for her admonition, which had led him to penance and finally meeting with Lord Vishnu.
When Dhruv grew to manhood, Uttanapad crowned him king and after sometime undertook Sanyas, the detachment from wordly affairs. Dhruv ruled his kingdom for the designated period and thereafter, attained the region of polar star now known as Dhruv-tara.
The actions of five year old Dhruv is an example of dedication to achieve one’s objective. Firm determination, intense labour and a focussed approach can resolve difficult issues in life. Sighting Dhruv-tara during the wedding ceremony reminds the couple to remain fixed with their promised commitment for successfully attaining their life objectives.