The story of Dhruva

This is the legend of Dhruva, the child man who became a symbol of justice, equality and rights.

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago an ancient kingdom was ruled by King Uttanapada. Uttanapada was an ordinary king, weak-minded and impulsive. The king had two wives, Suneeti, the daughter of a nature loving tribal lord and Suruchi, the daughter of a rich neighbouring king. Suruchi, the second wife, was a willful and selfish woman. But she also possessed a great beauty, and the king, Uttanapada, surrendered himself to her charms, becoming a slave to her wishes.

The king had a son by each of his queens. Dhruva was the son of Suneeti, the elder queen, and was destined to inherit the throne; Suruchi’s son was Uttamma. In the beginning, the king loved both Suneeti and Dhruva. But as time wore on, he was taken in by Suruchi’s wiles and soon forgot his responsibilities to Suneeti and Dhruva.

Following the selfish wishes of Suruchi, he sent his first wife and little Dhruva out of the palace to stay in a cottage far away. Dhruva lost his right to the throne as the king promised Suruchi that her son would be king. Dhruva grew up in his mother’s care. On occasional visits that the king paid his first wife, Dhruva came to know Uttanapada as his father.

One day, searching for a friend, Dhruva went near the palace. He did not remember seeing the palace ever before. He was amazed and curious. Lost in his curiosity and wonder, young Dhruva strayed into the main palace where the king and the queen were holding court. When Dhruva saw the king, he recognised him as his father. He also saw a little boy sitting on the king’s lap. This boy was Uttamma, the son of Suruchi. Overwhelmed with joy and love, Dhruva ran up to the throne because he too wanted to share his father’s lap. Even as Dhruva reached the king and tried to climb onto his father’s lap, Queen Suruchi was enraged. Screaming abuse at the little boy, Suruchi dragged him away from the king. “How dare you! You cannot sit on the king’s lap. You have no right to that; only my son has that right”.

Little Dhruva fell in a heap, numb with shock and humiliation. Shamed and devastated, he ran all the way home. He could not understand why his father did nothing to stop his humiliation. The court too was mortified at the conduct of the king and the queen. They bowed their heads in shame.

Reaching his humble home, Dhruva questioned his mother, sobbing inconsolably. “Don’t I have the right to sit on my father’s lap? Am I not his son? Don’t I have the same rights as my brother?” Dhruva implored her to answer.

Sad but stoic, his mother replied, “Of course you have the right. But sometimes you do not get what is rightfully yours - you have to fight for it.”

Unable to contain himself, Dhruva questioned her further. “Why are we abandoned? Do you not have the right to sit alongside father and be respected as the queen? Why did you accept this injustice, why did you not protest?”

Torn between an acceptance of her destiny and her son’s legitimate anguish, Suneeti stood silent. Seeing this, little Dhruva’s heart and mind became determined.

“Tell me mother, what do I need to do to attain my right?”  Suneeti spoke with great gravity. “My child, it is not easy. You have to withdraw yourself deep into the forests. With a mind that is unwavering, you must perform strict penance to reach your goal”.

With his face set in determination, the boy decided to win back his rights as a child. With his mother’s blessings, he left for the forests to pursue his penance.

On his way, Narada, the great wandering sage, met him. When Narada learnt of Dhruva’s mission, he was worried. In a tone full of compassion, Narada said, “You are yet a young child. You do not have the skills to survive in the wild forest or to carry out this tough penance”. But the sage’s words only strengthened Dhruva’s resolve. When Narada realised the strength of Dhruva’s determination, he decided to help the boy. He taught Dhruva all that he needed to know to survive in the forest and perform the penance.

Unmindful of all the terrible obstacles and with his mind focused only on his goal, Dhruva performed a severe penance. In the end, so great and powerful was his penance that the Almighty appeared before him.

“O Lord, bless me so that I may realise my rights; grant me the strength to be just; allow me the power to be righteous” prayed the child man. Dhruva’s single-mindedness and the nobility of his purpose impressed the Lord.