Story of Dhruv - Mythological Tales of Lord Vishnu
King Uttanpad had two queens. Suniti was the elder queen. She had a son named Dhruv. Suruchi was the younger queen and she was the king’s favourite. Uttam was her son.
One day as Uttam was sitting in the King’s lap Dhruv also came there. He also wished to sit there. Knowing this, Queen Suruchi said, “Go away, Dhruv. If you wished to sit in the King’s lap then you should have been my son.”
Dhruv felt very bad on hearing this. He went to complain about it to his mother, Queen Suniti. On hearing what had happened she said, “Dhruv, my son, don’t be upset. After all, she is like your mother too.”
“Mother, is there anyone greater in the world than father?” Dhruv asked.
“Yes, my son. Lord Vishnu is much greater than your father” she replied
“Then, mother, I’ll go and sit in his lap.” With these words young Dhruv left for the forest. In the forest, he met Narad Muni. When Narad Muni asked him where he was going, he told the whole story.
Narad Muni said, “My son, you must do penance meditating on the words ‘Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya.’ This will please Lord Vishnu.”
Young Dhruv obeyed Narad Muni’s words. In the first month, Dhruv ate herbs and berries from wild trees once in three days. In the second month, he ate once in six days and he used to feed on dry grass and leaves. In the third month, he ate once in nine days and lived only on drinking water and by the fifth month, he had stopped eating and drinking. He stood on one foot as advised by Narad Muni. Soon the news reached Devlok. The Gods went to Lord Vishnu and asked him to see Dhruv.
Then Lord Vishnu went to meet Dhruv. He said, “What do you wish for my son?”
Dhruv said, “Oh my Lord, you are the protector of the world and you know everything. I am blessed to see you. What else must I ask for?”
Lord Vishnu smiled and said, “You are not only devout but intelligent, too. I hereby give you a boon that till the time stars shine in the sky, your fame and name will shine round the Universe. Not only this but all the planets and stars will also revolve around you. You will guide the travelers from the sky whenever they have lost their path.”
That’s the tale behind Dhruv Tara or pole star. Later on Dhruv returned to his parents. Many years passed by and Dhruv and Uttam were now fine young men. Dhruv was married to Bhumi, the daughter of Prajapati Shishu Kumar. They had two sons named Kalp and Vatsar. Uttam was not married. After some more time, Dhruv was married again to Ila, the daughter of Vayu. They begat a son named Utkal and also had a daughter.
One day Uttam went to hunt. There he got into a fight with a Yaksha. In that fight, Uttam was killed. Queen Suruchi his mother could not bear the loss of her son. She also passed away. Dhruv was disturbed and angered with all that had happened. He wanted to avenge his brother Uttam’s death. Dhruv declared, “I will destroy all the Yakshas because one of them has killed my brother.”
So brave Dhruv left for Alkapuri. It was the place where all the Yakshas lived. He went there all alone. He blew his conch so loudly that the sound reverberated throughout Alkapuri. Yaksharaj enquired about it and came to know about Dhruv’s declaration.
Soon Dhruv, who was all alone, was surrounded by numerous Yakshas. Yaksharaj also went to fight. At one go all the Yakshas shot arrows at Dhruv, but the arrows could neither harm him nor touch his chariot. Dhruv took out his celestial bow and used other celestial weapons. Soon many Yakshas lay dead and others fled due to fear. Now Yaksharaj thought of using all the magical tricks and magical weapons and soon there was a shower of blood and flesh that fell from the sky. Dhruv took his Narayana Shastra and let it go in Yaksharaj’s direction. The Narayan Shastra killed Yaksharaj. All the magical tricks were stopped as Yaksharaj lay dead. The Gods rained flowers on Dhruv. Then Dhruv went back to the palace. The people in his kingdom welcomed brave Dhruv.