32- The Unwavering Devotion of Dhruv and the Grace of Shree Hari

Shatarupa and Swayambhuv Manu had two sons: Priyavrat and Uttanapad. Both were dedicated to the protection and welfare of the world. Uttanapad had two wives: Suniti and Suruchi. Suruchi was dearer to the king, while Suniti, whose son was Dhruv, did not receive the same affection. One day, King Uttanapad was lovingly holding Suruchi’s son Uttam on his lap. At that moment, Dhruv also wished to sit on his lap, but the king did not allow it. Then Suruchi, filled with pride, taunted Dhruv, saying, “Child! You are not eligible to sit on the royal throne. Although you are also the king’s son, I did not carry you in my womb. You are still young and do not understand that you were born from another woman’s womb; that’s why you desire such rare things. If you want the throne, then perform penance and worship the Supreme Narayan and, by His grace, be born from my womb.”

These harsh words from his stepmother angered Dhruv greatly, but his father silently watched. Having no support, Dhruv went to his mother Suniti, crying. Suniti took him into her lap. When she heard what Suruchi had said from the people in the palace, she too felt deeply hurt. She became sad, and tears filled her eyes. Suniti could not see an end to her sorrow. She took a deep breath and said to Dhruv, “Son, do not harbour ill thoughts for others. Those who cause pain to others suffer its consequences themselves. What Suruchi said is true, as the king feels embarrassed to accept me even as a servant, let alone his wife. You were born from my unfortunate womb and nurtured by my milk; perhaps that’s why such things are said about you. If you desire the throne, do not let your stepmother’s words sadden you; rather, take refuge in Shree Hari. He will relieve you of all suffering. Even your great-grandfather Brahmaji attained the highest position, which all yogis consider an ideal, and your grandfather Manuji attained immense happiness by worshipping the same Bhagwan. Son, you, too, should devote yourself to Shree Hari. Place your hope in His lotus feet, for by His shelter, living beings are freed from the bondage of birth and death. Purify your mind and focus only on Shree Hari. To me, it seems that only those lotus-eyed Shree Hari can alleviate your sorrow. He, whom even Lakshmiji seeks, is your true helper.”

Suniti's words guide Dhruv’s mind to the right path, and he finds peace. After this, Dhruv leaves the city to perform penance. Upon hearing this news and learning of Dhruv’s intent, Naradji arrives. Gently placing his hand on Dhruv’s head, Naradji thinks to himself with astonishment, “Ah! What remarkable valour the Kshatriyas possess; they cannot tolerate even the slightest insult. Look, he is still just a young child, yet his stepmother's harsh words have deeply affected his heart.” Naradji says to Dhruv, “Son, you are still a child, and this is the age for playing. Why worry about respect and disrespect? The cause of honour and dishonour is only attachment. In this world, every person receives happiness, sorrow, honour, or dishonour according to their Karma. A wise person should remain content regardless of the situation. The Bhagwan you are seeking to please is not easy to please. It would be better for you to abandon this resolve and return home. When you grow older, strive for higher pursuits and learn to find satisfaction in the present situation. One should feel joy upon seeing someone more virtuous, compassion for someone less virtuous, and friendship with an equal. Living this way frees a person from sorrow.”

Dhruv replied, “Bhagwan! You have blessed those whose minds are disturbed by happiness and sorrow by offering this path to peace. However, ignorant people like me cannot comprehend it. Moreover, I possess a strong Kshatriya nature, so I lack humility. The harsh words of my stepmother, Suruchi, have deeply wounded my heart; thus, your teachings do not bring me peace. Brahman! I desire to attain that highest position, which is the most exalted in the Triloki, a place even my ancestors could not reach. Please show me the proper way to reach it. You are the son of Brahmaji and wander across the three worlds like the sun for the welfare of all.” Hearing Dhruv’s words, Naradji becomes very pleased and, showing his grace, imparts wisdom to him. Shree Naradji says, “Son! What your mother Suniti told you is the best path for your welfare. Bhagwan Vasudev is the solution to all problems, so focus your mind and worship Him alone.”

"One who desires to attain the four goals of life—Dharma (righteousness), Artha (prosperity), Kama (desires), and Moksha (liberation)—can achieve them solely by serving the lotus feet of Shree Hari." (Bhagavat 4.8.41)

"Son! Your welfare is assured. Now go to the sacred Madhuban by the banks of the Yamuna, where Shree Hari eternally resides. There, bathe three times a day in the pure waters of the Yamuna, and after completing your daily duties, sit calmly on a proper seat. With steadfastness, gradually engage in the three types of pranayama—rechaka (exhalation), puraka (inhalation), and kumbhaka (retention)—to purify the disturbances of the breath, mind, and senses. With patience, meditate upon the form of Bhagwan. By continuous meditation on the auspicious form of Shree Hari, the mind quickly becomes absorbed in supreme bliss and does not wander towards the world.

Now, I shall tell you the supremely mystical mantra that should be chanted along with this meditation. By chanting this mantra for seven nights, one can witness the celestial beings moving in the heavens. This mantra is: 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.' A wise person should thoughtfully use this mantra, choosing suitable offerings based on time and place, to worship Bhagwan with various elements. Additionally, one should constantly contemplate the enchanting pastimes that Shree Hari performs when He incarnates through His indescribable Maya by His own will."

"When Shree Hari, residing within the heart, is worshipped with devotion through the mind, speech, and body, He deepens the devotion of those who worship Him with pure, unwavering love. In response to their heartfelt worship, He grants them their desired blessings in the form of Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (fulfilment of desires), or Moksha (liberation).” (Bhagavat 4.8.59-60)

Receiving guidance from Naradji, Dhruv respectfully circumambulates him and offers his salutations. Following this, he embarks on a journey to the holy Madhuvan, a forest sanctified by the footprints of Shree Hari. Meanwhile, Naradji arrives at King Uttanpad’s palace. The king welcomes Naradji with appropriate honours; then, once Naradji is comfortably seated, the sage observes the king's anxious expression and asks, "O King, your face appears troubled. Have your concerns for Dharma, Artha, or Kama been left unfulfilled?"

The king replies, "Brahman! I am a wretched, heartless man. Alas! I have banished my five-year-old son along with his mother. That innocent child’s lotus-like face may have withered from hunger; he might have collapsed on the road from exhaustion. I fear for his life—wolves in the forest might harm him. Ah! What a slave to my whims I had become, treating him so unkindly when all he wanted was the comfort of my lap."

Naradji reassures him, "O King, cast aside your worries for your son. Bhagwan Himself watches over him. You are yet to witness the greatness within him, for his glory shall soon spread across the world. His determination is remarkable. That which even the greatest devas could not accomplish, he will achieve and return to you, bringing immense honour to your lineage."

Hearing Naradji's words, King Uttanpad grows detached from his royal duties, consumed by thoughts of his son.

Meanwhile, Dhruv reaches Madhuvan and, following Naradji's guidance purifies himself in the Yamuna and begins a strict fast. His devotion to Bhagwan Narayan is unwavering. In the first month, he subsists on fruits like jujube and berries, consumed only once every three days. In the second month, he only eats dry leaves and grass every six days. By the third month, he drinks water every nine days, deepening his meditation. In the fourth month, he sustains himself solely on air, inhaling only every twelve days while intensifying his focus on Parabrahma. In the fifth month, Dhruv stands on one leg, controlling his breath while deeply absorbed in the Supreme.

The power of Dhruv's intense austerity shakes the three worlds. When he stands on one leg, the Earth tilts under the pressure, as a boat tilts when an elephant boards it. His devotion becomes so profound that he merges with the life force of all beings, causing their breath to pause. The entire universe is gripped in a stillness that unsettles even the devas, who, feeling stifled, turn to Shree Hari. They implore, "Bhagwan! Every being’s breath has stopped, something we have never witnessed before. You, the protector of all, alone can free us from this calamity."

Shree Bhagwan reassures the devas, saying, "Devas, do not fear. Dhruv, the son of Uttanpad, has fully merged his consciousness with Me, reaching a state of oneness. This unity between us has halted all life forces as he restrains his own. Now, return peacefully to your realms; I shall release this child from his intense penance." Relieved by Bhagwan's assurance, the devas offer their respects and return to the heavens.

Bhagwan then mounts Garud and descends to Madhuvan to meet Dhruv. At this moment, Dhruv is absorbed in profound meditation, envisioning the divine form of Bhagwan in his heart. Suddenly, that form vanishes, startling him. Opening his eyes, he sees Bhagwan standing before him. Overwhelmed with joy, Dhruv prostrates himself on the earth, his heart overflowing with love. He gazes at Bhagwan as if he wishes to absorb Him with his eyes or embrace Him with his hands. Standing with folded hands, Dhruv longs to praise Bhagwan, but words fail him. Understanding His devotee's heart, Bhagwan gently touches Dhruv’s cheek with His divine conch. In that instant, Dhruv is blessed with profound knowledge of the self (jeev) and the Supreme (Brahman). Filled with unwavering devotion, Dhruv praises Bhagwan Shree Hari with deep reverence.

Pleased with Dhruv’s devotion, Bhagwan, who is ever-compassionate towards His devotees, speaks:

"O prince of exceptional resolve! I know the wish in your heart. Though that state is hard to attain, I grant it to you. Be blessed! I bestow upon you the Dhruv Lok, a luminous and eternal realm never before attained by any. This lok will remain even when other realms are destroyed. It is the abode around which Dharma, Agni, Kashyap, Shukra, and the Saptarishi revolve. When your father places you on the royal throne and departs for the forest, you will rule the earth righteously for thirty-six thousand years, with your senses remaining ever vibrant.

One day, your brother Uttam will lose his life while hunting, and your stepmother Suruchi, stricken by grief, will search for him in the forest and perish in a forest fire. You shall perform grand yajnas and enjoy noble pleasures on earth. In the end, with your mind absorbed in Me, you will depart to My supreme abode. There, you shall be revered by all realms and honoured above even the Saptarishis. This is a realm from which one does not return to the material world."

Shree Maitreyaji narrates to Vidurji, "After bestowing his exalted position upon Dhruv, Bhagwan Narayan returns to His abode. Though Dhruv receives what he desires through the grace of God, he does not feel a deep sense of fulfilment and returns to his kingdom, still slightly unsettled.

Vidurji then inquires, 'O Brahman! The supreme state associated with Shree Hari is exceedingly rare and can only be attained through unwavering devotion to His feet. Even though Dhruv possessed complete discernment between the eternal and the transient, why did he feel unfulfilled after attaining that supreme position in just one lifetime?'

Maitreyaji replies, “The harsh words of his stepmother had impacted Dhruv’s heart, and he remembered this when requesting a boon. Therefore, he did not ask for liberation from Shree Hari, the ultimate giver of liberation. Now, after seeing Bhagwan and having his mind cleansed, he regrets his earlier mistake. Dhruv reflects, "Ah! The exalted sages like Sanak and the other eternal celibates attain Bhagwan’s lotus feet only after countless lifetimes of meditation, and I attained them in just six months. But because of my lingering desires, I distanced myself from Bhagwan's feet. How foolish I was! I reached the feet of the Supreme, who frees one from the shackles of worldly existence, and yet, I only asked for fleeting, perishable things.

The devas, who enjoy the pleasures of heaven, eventually fall back down; their influence clouded my mind, and that’s why I did not heed Naradji's wise advice. In reality, nothing exists but the soul, yet just as a dreaming person fears an imaginary threat, I, too, became deluded by Bhagwan’s maya, viewing my own brother as a foe and burning with pointless resentment. Though Bhagwan, the soul of the universe, is exceedingly hard to please, I attained Him through intense penance, but all that I requested was meaningless—like medicine to a dying man.

Oh, how unfortunate I am! I sought the material world from the very Bhagwan who severs worldly bonds. How truly unlucky I am! Just as a destitute man would ask for a single grain of rice upon pleasing a mighty emperor, I foolishly asked Shree Hari—who grants the soul’s bliss—for nothing but lofty positions that only fuel one’s ego.”

Shree Maitreyaji states, "O dear one! Those who are like honeybees, ever absorbed in the nectar of Shree Mukund’s lotus feet—who continually relish the dust of Bhagwan's feet and find contentment in all circumstances—do not seek anything for themselves apart from the opportunity to serve Him." (Bhagavat 4.9.36)

When King Uttanapad heard that his son Dhruv was returning home, he initially could not believe it. However, remembering the words of Sage Narada strengthened his faith. He expressed his joy by gifting a precious necklace to the messenger and, along with several Brahmins and relatives, came out of the city in a beautiful chariot to welcome Dhruv.

As Dhruv approached the garden, the king immediately got down from the chariot and embraced him lovingly. By touching the sacred feet of Dhruv, all the king’s sins were erased. Dhruv bowed at his father’s feet and received his blessings before also paying his respects to both mothers.

Mother Suruchi embraced Dhruv and, with tearful words, blessed him, saying, “May you live long.” Dhruv and his brother Uttam affectionately embraced each other, causing tears to flow from their eyes. Dhruv’s mother, Suniti, forgot all her sorrows as she held her beloved son close.

King Uttanapad joyfully placed Dhruv and Uttama on an elephant and entered the capital, where everyone praised their fortune. Dhruv entered his father’s palace, adorned with jewels, and enjoyed the love and care of his father. King Uttanapad expressed his astonishment at Dhruv’s remarkable transformation. When Dhruv reached young adulthood, he was anointed as the ruler of the entire earth. After that, feeling the weight of old age, King Uttanapad renounced the world and set off towards the forest.

Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]-28.10.2024