॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Wednesday, 2 November 2022 IV.08 - The story of Bhakta Dhruva.
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One of the exemplars of the Bhakti movement, especially in terms of a determination to have the Darshan of Bhagavan Narayana, is the boy devotee Dhruva. He eventually becomes the Pole Star, or the Northern Star, the symbol of constancy and the ancient aid to navigation. Julius Ceasar in Shakespeare's play says,
"But I am constant as the Northern Star". We read Dhruva's story in this long chapter.
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Brahma's sons who became naishthika brahmacharis (unshakeable celibates), who were always on the move, never staying in one place, were the four Kumaras, Narada, Ribhu, Hamsa, Aruni and Yati. They did not extend Brahma's progeny.
Sage Vyasa narrates how Brahma's sons could also be evil! Adharma (unrighteousness) married Mrisha (Untruth) who begot Dambha (hypocrisy) and Maya (deceit). They were adopted by Nirritti (chronic violation of truth). They then begot Lobha (greed) and Nikriti (incorrigibility). Their children were Krodha (anger) and Himsa (violence). Their children were Kali (quarrelsomeness) and Durukti (abuse). Their children were Mrityu (death) and Bhiti (fear). Their children were Yatana (extreme pain) and Niraya (hell).
Sage Vyasa says anyone who reads this portion thrice and keeps in mind these forces of evil will develop devotion and become pure in his soul!
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What about the two sons of Svayambhuva Manu? He had two sons through his wife Satarupa - Uttanapada and Priyavrata.
King Uttanapada had two wives - Suniti and Suruchi. He was excessively fond of Suruchi and neglected Suniti, who had a son by the name of Dhruva.
Once, King Uttanapada was petting his son born to Suruchi by the name of Uttama, seating him on his lap. Dhruva came there. Dhruva also tried to climb onto his father's lap. The king did not welcome him. Dhruva's stepmother, Suruchi, then spoke: "Child, you are not entitled to sit on the King's lap, sorry. For that, you should be born as my child in my womb! Being Suniti's son, don't foolishly desire something that is impossible."
तपसादाध्य पुरुषं तस्यैवानुग्रहेण मे। गर्भे त्वं साधयात्मानं यदीच्छसि नृपासनम् ॥
T: "If indeed you desire the throne (metaphorically the King's lap), go perform severe Tapas and pray to Lord Narayana. By His grace, you will be born in my womb then!"
Dhruva was inflamed like a snake beaten by a stick when he heard these harsh words from his stepmother. Seeing that his father, the King, showed no affection, but mutely looked on, the boy rushed to his mother, Suniti, weeping bitterly.
Suniti was greatly distressed to hear what her boy had gone through. She collapsed in sorrow. Full of tears, she then said, sighing in grief, " my dear child, whatever the circumstance, never wish harm to anyone else. Anyone who inflicts misery on others reaps the same result for himself. Indeed what Suruchi has said is true. Your father, the King, is ashamed to accept me even as his servant, leave alone as his queen. You were born in my wretched womb and drank my milk. Suruchi, your stepmother, has spoken the truth. If you want to sit on the throne like your stepbrother Prince Uttama, go and pray intensely to Bhagavan Adhokshaja Sri Hari. The Lord is full of Sattva Guna and compassion. He was worshipped ardently by your great grandfather Lord Brahma who was then rewarded with the title of Parameshti (Supreme in Yajnas). Your grandfather King Svayambhuva Manu also worshipped the lotus feet of the Lord and won his incomparable status and felicity."
तमेव वत्साश्रयभृत्यवत्सलं मुमुक्षुभिर्मृग्यपदाब्जपद्धतिम्।
अनन्यभावे निजधर्मभाविके मनस्यवस्थाप्य भजस्व पूरुषम् ॥
T: "My child, the Lord is most compassionate to His devotees, He is the One sought in prayer by all those who seek liberation. Place Him firmly in your heart, and single-mindedly dedicate your prayer to Him, the Supreme Lord Bhagavan Vishnu."
"My child, no one other than the lotus-eyed Lord Vishnu can help you. Brahma and all other gods worship Sri Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, but she herself holds on to His lotus feet in her heart and constantly seeks Him!"
Suniti's considered words were meant for the boy's ultimate good, as she saw no other way. The boy Dhruva thought the matter over deeply, and with uncanny determination, left the city of his father.
Sage Narada heard what had happened. He could not but go at once to meet Dhruva. Placing his hand on the boy's head in blessing, the sage mused: " How wonderful are these powerful Kshatriyas! They cannot tolerate any slight to their self-respect. Just imagine! This boy is only a small child, yet harsh words from his stepmother proved unbearable to him!"
He spoke lovingly to Dhruva: "My dear boy, you are little and should be busy and happy playing games. Why are you so affected by words insulting your honour? In fact, this kind of disappointment is another example of Maya. All that happens to anyone is the result of past Karmas. The design of this world by the Lord is indeed wonderful. Anyone who lives in acceptance of His order, whatever happens, good or bad, taking it as His will, is wise."
"You wish to follow your mother's advice to perform severe austerity to achieve the mercy of the Lord, but I know that such Tapas is not possible for an ordinary person. Do you know, even after several lives spent in great austerities, sages were unable to obtain the goal of knowing the Lord?!"
"So, my dear child, don't take this path. You had better go home now. When you grow up, you may have the strength to undertake Tapas, if the Lord so wills."
यस्य यद्दैवविहितं स तेन सुखदःखयोः । आत्मानं तोषयन्देही तमसः पारमृच्छति॥
गुणाधिकान्मुदं लिप्सयेतनुक्रोशं गुणाधमात्। मैत्रीं समानादन्विच्छैन्न तापैरभिभूयते॥
T: " The one who accepts with joy whatever befalls him by the Lord's will, either happiness or sorrow, will indeed overcome the ignorance that envelops all our lives."
" When one sees someone more prosperous or happier, one should not feel envy but empathise and feel the other man's joy. When one sees someone worse off and unhappy, one should commiserate and show compassion. When one meets someone having a similar lot of good and bad as oneself, one should cultivate friendship and share in it. Such a one will not be troubled by misery!"
After listening to Sage Narada, the boy Dhruva replied.
"Respected Sage, by your mercy, you have bestowed this wisdom on me. But such wisdom is beyond me as I am ignorant. Also, I am an adamantine Kshatriya. Perhaps I lack humility as I have been torn by Suruchi's piercing words. I am in no condition to take your profound advice of calm acceptance!"
"Respected Devarshi, I aim for that exalted status in the three worlds not coveted or attained by any of my ancestors including Brahma! I appeal to you to kindly show me the way to that goal!"
नूनं भवान्भगवतो योऽङ्गजः परमेष्ठिनः। वितुदन्नटते वीणां हितार्थं जगतोऽर्कवत्॥
T: " Oh, Great Sage, you are the son of Lord Brahma himself and, carrying your divine Veena, you roam the three worlds for promoting everyone's welfare like the sun travels in the sky for the world's good!"
Sage Narada was moved and impressed by the boy Dhruva's single-mindedness. He replied lovingly.
Narada's teaching to Dhruva
Narada spoke. " Dear boy, the path of Bhakti to Bhagavan Vishnu suggested by your dear mother Suniti is just right for you. So you should immerse yourself completely in it. The four Purusharthas viz. Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha, all accrue to one on this devotional path. I, therefore, wish you all the best in this path."
"You should go to the bank of the river Yamuna where there is a sacred forest named Madhuvana, and there become purified. Just by going there, one draws nearer to Bhagavan. Bathe thrice every day in the Yamuna, also known as Kalindi. After the bath, perform the daily ablutions, and sit firmly on your seat. Perform Puraka, Kubhaka, and Rechaka Pranayama. That way, you will purify your body and the senses. You can then, with fortitude, meditate on the Lord."
"The Bhagavan has a beautiful face full of grace and compassion. His eyes, His eyebrows, His raised nose and His broad forehead are all very beautiful. He is more beautiful than all the gods. The Lord’s form is always youthful. Every limb and every part of His body is properly formed, free from defects. His eyes and lips are pinkish like the rising sun. He is always prepared to give shelter to the surrendered soul, and anyone so fortunate as to look upon Him feels total satisfaction for He is the ocean of mercy."
"On His chest is the Srivatsa mark, wherein dwells goddess Sri Lakshmi. He has a bluish hue. Wearing a garland of forest flowers. The Lord is eternally manifest (His appearance is not transitory or imaginary). He has four hands holding Chakra and Shankha in his upper hands and Gada and Padma in his lower hands. He is Vasudeva. His entire body is decorated with ornaments - a splendid crown, necklaces, and bracelets. He wears the Kausthubha jewel around His neck and wears a yellow silk garment. A golden girdle with bells and golden anklets with bells adorn Him. Most handsome, peaceful and smiling, He ever pleases the eyes and the mind."
"Rajarshis (a word of motivation for Prince Dhruva!) meditate on the Lord installing Him in their hearts, with His lotus feet, and glittering toe-nails."
"In this way, the meditator should envision the Bhagavan, the bestower of all benedictions."
"Dear Prince Dhruva, let me teach you the sacred mantra, the chanting of which continually for seven nights can confer the vision of holy celestials."
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
Chanting this mantra, worship the Lord, with flowers, fruits and other offerings. This should be done as per the scriptures, considering your circumstances."
"One should worship the Lord by offering pure water, pure flower garlands, fruits, flowers and vegetables which are available in the forest, or by collecting newly grown grasses, small buds of flowers or even the skins of trees, and if possible, by offering tulasi leaves, which are very dear to the Bhagavan."
"Make the Lord's image in the forest with wood, pulp, or metal. A simple image made by mixing mud and water in the forest will do, too."
"For your own food, be satisfied with whatever forest fare is available - fruit or vegetable or root."
"My dear Dhruva, worship thus thrice daily, but constantly meditate on the Lord's glory and His pastimes, His different incarnations and His infinite potencies."
"Follow the path shown by past masters and devotees. Hold the Lord in your heart always. Chant the mantra as the Lord is no different from the mantra!"
'The one who follows this Bhakti path and method is bound to be blessed by the Lord to get whatever he wishes."
विरक्तश्चेन्द्रियरतौ भक्तियोगेन भूयसा । तं निरन्तरभावेन भजेताद्धा विमुक्तये ॥
T: "The seeker of liberation directly attains it by being totally detached from the world, totally controlling his senses, and immersed completely in devotion to the Lord constantly."
Dhruva felt blessed to have received this spiritual instruction from Devarshi Narada. He circumambulated the sage, bowed low, and left for Madhuana.
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Narada now went to King Uttanapada. The King received him deferentially. Once seated, Narada spoke:
"Oh, King, why are you pensive? What goal of yours has been thwarted, Kama, Dharma, or Artha?"
"Oh Sage Narada, the image of Dhruva is constant in my mind. Fallen from all mercy, I abandoned my five-year-old son, with his mother, even though he is a true devotee and full of virtues. My son is a tender flower, so how will he survive in a forest full of wild animals? He must be hungry, cold and unprotected! Alas, how I was subjugated by my wife! When my boy tried to climb on my lap, I did not welcome him or even pat him. How hardhearted I am!"
Narada spoke serenely. "Oh, King, do not worry about your son. The Lord will protect him. You do not know how famous Dhruva is already in the world. Your son is very competent. His Tapas will be so great that even sages and celestials will not be able to do it. Dhruva will soon realise his goal and return home. He will bring great repute in the entire world."
After Sage Narada's visit, Uttanapada lost all interest in kingship and spent all his time thinking of his son.
Dhruva's Penance
Meanwhile, Dhruva arrived in Madhuvana. He bathed in the Yamuna and fasted for the night. Thereafter, he began to worship Lord Narayana as instructed by Sage Narada.
In the first month, Dhruva ate meagre fruits and vegetables every third day, just to keep the body and soul together. Next month, he ate once in six days, that too just leaves and grass. In the third month, he just drank water once every nine days. His meditation on the Lord was intense. He chanted the mantra constantly. In the fourth month, he lived only on air, after mastering the Pranayama technique, breathing once every twelfth day. In this way, he mastered his body and senses.
In the fifth month, Dhruva stood on one foot, immobile and perfectly balanced in mind and body, immersed in the meditation on the Para Brahman. He completely controlled his senses and their contact with objects, and in this way he fixed his mind, without distraction, upon the form of the Bhagavan.
This intensity of Tapas made the three worlds tremble. After all, creation is made up of the three Gunas as a play of Maya. When someone overcomes his physical limitations and the bondage of the mind, it causes turmoil, like an abandoned room dusted after long! The pressure of Dhruva's toe on the earth was too much to bear.
Dhruva's Tapas was so intense that the whole world felt choked. The gods rushed to Bhagavan Vishnu.
"Oh, Lord, It looks like all creation is choked and unable to breathe, something we have never felt before. Please save us, we are surrendered to You!"
श्रीभगवानुवाच
मा भैष्ट बालं तपसो दुरत्ययान्निवर्तयिष्ये प्रतियात स्वधाम ।
यतो हि व: प्राणनिरोध आसीदौत्तानपादिर्मयि सङ्गतात्मा ॥
T: Bhagavan replied: My dear gods, do not be perturbed by this. This situation has arisen owing to the severe Tapas and the unshakeable determination of Dhruva, the son of King Uttanapada, who is now fully absorbed in the thought of Me. Thereby he has obstructed the universal breathing process. You can safely return to your respective homes. I shall make this boy discontinue his severe Tapas, and all will be well."
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