Dhruva, the Pole Star boy

Told in English, Telugu.

Long, long ago, there lived a king named Uttanapada. He had two queens. The elder queen was gentle Suniti, and her little son was named Dhruva. The younger queen was Suruchi, and her son was named Uttama. The king loved Suruchi very much, and he spent most of his time with her and with Uttama.

One sunny morning, little Dhruva, who was only five years old, ran into the palace hall. There sat his father on the royal throne, and on his lap sat Uttama, laughing and playing. Dhruva's eyes lit up. He wanted to sit on his father's lap too. He climbed up the steps with a big smile and reached out his small arms.

But Queen Suruchi stopped him. "No, Dhruva," she said in a sharp voice. "This lap is not for you. You are not my son. If you want to sit here, go and pray to Lord Vishnu. Ask Him to let you be born as my child next time."

The king said nothing. He looked away.

Dhruva's lips began to tremble. Tears filled his eyes. He turned and ran all the way to his mother's room, crying so hard he could not speak.

Queen Suniti held him close and wiped his tears with the end of her saree. When he told her what had happened, she was sad too, but she spoke softly. "My dear one, do not be angry with anyone. Suruchi said one true thing. Lord Vishnu loves every child. If you pray to Him with all your heart, He will give you a place far greater than any throne."

Dhruva stopped crying. He looked up at his mother. "Then I will go and find Lord Vishnu," he said. "I will ask Him myself."

And so, that very day, the little prince walked out of the palace and into the deep green forest.

As he walked between the tall trees, a man appeared on the path. He had a veena in his hands and was singing, "Narayana, Narayana." It was the great sage Narada.

"Little prince," said Narada with a smile, "where are you going all alone?"

"I am going to find Lord Vishnu," said Dhruva.

Narada wanted to see how strong the boy's heart was. "But you are so small," he said. "The forest is big. Even great sages pray for years and years before they see the Lord. Go home, child. When you are grown up, you can try."

Dhruva shook his head firmly. "No, swami. I will not go back. Please, will you show me the way?"

Narada's face filled with joy. "What a brave heart you have!" he said. "Then listen carefully. Go to Madhuvana, the beautiful forest by the river Yamuna. Bathe in the river, sit very still, and think only of Lord Vishnu. Keep saying this prayer in your heart. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya."

Can you say it with me? Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. Very good!

Dhruva bowed to Narada and walked on until he reached Madhuvana. The river sparkled, and birds sang in the trees. Dhruva sat down under a tree, closed his eyes, and began his prayer.

Days passed. Weeks passed. At first Dhruva ate fruits and berries. Then he ate only a few leaves. Then he drank only a little water. Then he sat so still that he was breathing slowly, like a quiet breeze. Through hot days and cool nights, through wind and rain, he did not move. In his heart he saw only Lord Vishnu, with His kind smile, His blue skin, His conch and His discus.

Now here is a wonderful thing. When Dhruva sat so steady, the whole world seemed to feel it. The gods in the heavens felt it too. They went to Lord Vishnu and said, "Lord, this little boy's prayer is so strong. Please go to him."

Lord Vishnu smiled. "I know," He said. "I am going to him now."

Dhruva was still sitting with his eyes closed, seeing the Lord in his heart. Suddenly, the picture in his heart faded away. Dhruva was worried. He opened his eyes, and there, standing right in front of him, glowing like a thousand lamps, was Lord Vishnu Himself!

Dhruva's heart was so full that he could not find words. He only folded his hands and gazed. Then Lord Vishnu gently touched Dhruva's cheek with His shining conch. At once, beautiful words of praise flowed from the little boy's lips, like a song.

Lord Vishnu said, "Dhruva, my child, I am so happy with you. Ask for anything."

And do you know what? Dhruva had come to the forest wanting a place on his father's lap and a throne. But now, looking at the Lord, he felt so happy and so full that he did not want anything at all. "Lord," he said softly, "I came looking for little pebbles, and I found a shining diamond. Seeing you is enough for me."

Lord Vishnu smiled with great love. "Because your heart was so steady, I give you a place higher than any king's throne. Go home now, rule your people kindly for many years, and then you will shine forever in the sky as the Dhruva Nakshatram, the Pole Star. All the other stars will move around you, but you will stay steady, always in one place."

When Dhruva returned home, his father ran out to meet him with tears of joy. He hugged his son tightly and said sorry. His mother Suniti held him close. Even Queen Suruchi welcomed him warmly, and Dhruva hugged her too. There was no anger left in his heart.

Dhruva grew up to be a good and loving king. And when his time on earth was over, he rose up into the sky and became the bright, steady Pole Star.

So tonight, if you look up at the northern sky with Amma or Nanna, you might see him. For thousands of years, sailors on the dark sea and travellers on lonely roads have looked up at that star to find their way home. That is our Dhruva, the little boy who never gave up. Good night, and sweet dreams.