Hard penance is a practice followed by seekers in the realm of Brahm Kaal as a consequence of ignorance aiming to attain God but in reality ‘Hatha Yoga’ miserably fails in the achievement of this goal and seekers simply end up gaining few accomplishments which are useless because the sole purpose of human life which is attaining salvation by performing true devotion of Almighty gets defeated.
History witnesses the true story of several seekers who performed hard penance and gained powers but failed to attain God.
This article will explain the true account of one historical character named Dhruva, who performed arbitrary practice, and severe austerity resulting in getting a Kingdom on earth, becoming a King then getting a place in Heaven as a boon by God. He created a Polar city (Dhruv Mandal) in Heaven but remained deprived of attaining emancipation and is still trapped in the web of butcher Brahm Kaal.
Based on the following let us know in detail about devotee Dhruva.
- Gist of the Story of Devotee Dhruva
- Birth of devotee Dhruva
- Turning Point In Dhruva’s Life
- Dhruva performed Hatha Yoga
- The severe austerity of Dhruva paid off
- Sant Garibdas Ji Glorified Dhruva
Gist of The Story Of Devotee Dhruva
Reference: ‘Mukti Bodh’ book, Chapter ‘Sumiran Ka Ang’, Speech No 103. The writer is Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj
Garib, bina bhakti kya hote hai, Dhruva kun pucho jaau।
Sawa seir Ann paavte, Atal raaj diya tahi ।।103।।
The gist: Devotee Dhruva and his mother were provided one ‘seir’ which means 1.25 kilograms of grains every day to eat. The father of Dhruva, Uttanpaad was the King. The aunt (Mausi) of devotee Dhruva the younger wife of Uttanpaad had imprisoned her elder sister Suniti, Dhruva’s mother in a separate room as a punishment. They were provided with only 1.25 ‘seir’ grains to eat in a day.
Let us read the true episode in detail mentioned on Page No 73-75
Birth Of Devotee Dhruva
King Uttanpaad did not have a child with his wife Suniti after many years of marriage. One day Narad Ji told Queen Suniti that ‘when the King will do the second marriage then both you as well as the new second wife will obtain a child’. The King got married for the second time in old age. The younger wife, on reaching the boundary of the Kingdom, forcefully compelled the King to commit to fulfilling her promise that ‘I will go to your palace only when you will throw out my sister, who is your wife, to another home immediately after we reach. Give her 1.25 kilograms of grains every day to eat and provide Kingdom to the son born from my womb. It was Suniti who brought her younger sister Suriti by insisting on her parents. Suriti was disappointed that she had played with my life by getting me married to an old man.
The King agreed to this promise out of compulsion. After a few years, the elder Queen Suniti gave birth to a son. He was named Dhruva. Later, the younger Queen Suriti gave birth to a son. He was named Uttam.
Turning Point In Dhruva’s Life
When Dhruva was 5 years old and Uttam was 4 years old then the birthday of Uttam was after a few months. The King celebrated the birthday of Uttam at the behest of the younger Queen. Out of jealousy the birthday of Dhruva was not permitted to be celebrated. There was excitement in the city. Dhruva also insisted on going to the birthday celebration in the city from his house which was far from the garden. The mother Suniti said that ‘Son, you have no space in that city’. But Dhruva was a child hence, he insisted and went.
The King was sitting on the throne. The Queen was sitting beside him. Uttam was sitting on the lap of his mother. Dhruva went to his father and sat on his lap on the throne. Suruti was already jealous, she stood and held Dhruva’s hand and threw him down from the throne, she kicked him and said that this place was not for the son of a second wife. Uttam has authority over this. Dhruva started crying and looked at his father. He thought that Father would call him and would again make me sit along with him. But it did not happen.
The other ministers were sitting around. There were dances and singing going on. Everyone was watching this incident. Dhruva went to his mother crying. The mother knew even before that what would happen to her son. As soon as he came she hugged her son and said ‘Son! Therefore, I had forbidden you not to go there. Dhruva asked his mother, "Mother, who becomes a King? The mother said, "Son! God makes the King. He asked ‘Where is God? How is He attained?’ The mother instinctively said that ‘God is found by performing austerity in the forest’. Dhruva said, "Mother! I will go to the forest and will attain God by performing austerity and will become a King’. Saying this he decided to abandon home and got prepared to go to the Jungle.
At that very moment, the Queen sent the message to the King through an attendant that ‘Dhruva is insisting to go to the forest, take care of him’. The King immediately came there and said to Dhruva ‘Son! Don’t do this. I will give you half of the Kingdom’. Dhruva said ‘No, you fear the younger mother. You will not be able to give. I will obtain Kingdom from God’. Saying this he abandoned home and went crying.
Dhruva Performed Hatha Yoga
On the way, he met Sage Narad Ji. He asked ‘Where are you going?’ Dhruva said ‘My aunt (Mausi) kicked me and drove me away from my father and said that ‘you do not have the right in this Kingdom, Uttam has the right. My mother told me that God provides the Kingdom. Sage! I will attain God by performing tenacity and will demand the Kingdom’. Sage Narad Ji said ‘First acquire a Guru. Religious practice without a Guru is useless’. Dhruva said ‘You become my Guru’. Narad Ji accepted and gave initiation to Dhruva.
Dhruva did penance standing on one leg, he performed severe austerity/ Hatha Yoga. He did not eat or drink. Due to the stubbornness of the child and with the power of devotion of previous births God appeared to him in the sixth month and said to Dhruva, ‘Ask me, Child! what do you want?’ Dhruva said ‘Give me the stable Kingdom’. God said ‘I will give you a place in Heaven. Worship all through your life, go home. Dhruva came home. Due to Dhruva’s devotion, the younger mother became polite and permitted her elder sister to lead a normal life. Uttam got married. The Kingdom was given to Uttam. Dhruva also got married.
Severe Austerity Of Dhruva Paid Off
Once there was a war between Uttam and Gandharvas. Uttam died in the war. When Dhruva got this information he fought a war with the Gandharvas and won the battle. After the death of Uttam, Dhruva obtained the Kingdom of Earth, also the wife of Uttam was given to Dhruva. In this way, devotee Dhruva obtained the stable Kingdom of heaven by performing hard devotion, and also he got the Kingdom of Earth.
Surati was penalized for her Karma who ill-treated her elder sister. She wanted to see her son as a King. That son also did not remain alive. Her life became hell.
The meaning of the speech is that ‘what is life without devotion? The story of devotee Dhruva witnesses the same. The mother and son used to get 1.25 kgs of grain (1250 gms). They simply used to eat dry raw bread. By performing devotion he obtained the Kingdom of both the earth as well as heaven. Till he was alive he ruled on the earth. After death, created a Polar city (Dhruv Mandal) in celestial heaven. Dhruva ruled over that city.
Interpretation:– Dhruva performed ‘hatha yoga (forced worship) that he only had to obtain based on the sacraments of previous births. The farmer found God in the buffalo’s horn. When Dhruva grew old he gained knowledge about the scripture then he performed devotion to the scriptures. He will obtain its fruit (reward) in some other birth. First, Dhruva will complete the duration of the Kingdom of Heaven. Then will obtain human birth on earth. Then if he would find a guide of Satlok (an enlightened saint) he would be liberated; else he would obtain life forms of 84 lacs creatures. (103)
Sant Garibdas Ji Glorified Dhruva
Reference: ‘Yatharth Bhakti Bodh’ book written by Jagatguru Tatvadarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj on page 147-148, speech no.73
Dhruva Prahalad aur Janak Videhi |
Sukhdev sangee Param sanehi ||73||
The nectar speeches of respected Sant Garibdas Ji Maharaj have been compiled in ‘Amargranth’ which mentions the names of a few great devotees who attained accomplishments by performing hard penance in Brahm Kaal’s world namely sage Vishwamitra, sage Durvasa, sage Kapil, Gorakhnath, devotee Dhruva, Prahalad, King Janak, sage Sukhdev etc. He glorifies them all stating that these great men deserve honor and appreciation since they perform all the tasks of their devotees that fall within their competence.
Reference: ‘Yatharth Bhakti Bodh’ Book Speech No 88-90 on page no 148-149.
Chihindole Chunak Durvasa Deva | Asur Nikandan boodat khewa ||88||
Bali aru shesh Patalon sakha | Sanak sanandan surgon hakaa ||89||
Dahun dish bajun Dhru Prahalada | Koti katak dal kata piyada ||90||
Meaning: In aforementioned speech steadfast devotees like Dhruv and Prahalad have been glorified by respected Sant Garibdas Ji Maharaj. These great devotees contributed in Mahabharta war favouring Pandavas who win the battle.
In nectar speech no 40 on page no.115 respected Saint Garibdas Ji glorifies devotee Dhruv
Dhruv Prahalad agadh aug hai, Janak Videhi jore hai |
Chale Viman nidan beetya, Dharamraj ki bundh tode hai ||40||
Meaning: The worshippers of Brahm Kaal like Dhruv, Prahalad, and King Janak are referred as ‘Agadh’ means firm devotees who performed foremost devotion and ‘Agah’ means they have reached too far in devotion but remained in the trap of Brahm Kaal despite performing hard devotion. Therefore, it has been said in Tatvgyan that:
Aatam praan udahrahin, Aisa dharm nahi aur ||
Meaning: One who liberates soul from the cycle of birth and death then there is no greater auspicious deed than that. Only a Satguru can do this marvelous work.
Emphasising true devotion essential for a true worshipper God Kabir says in this Hymn that one should only demand real scriptural devotion from God and nothing else so that the welfare of soul happens and he gets liberation.
Sat Kabir dware tere par ek daas bhikari aaya hai, bhakti ki bhiksha de deejo umeed katora lyaya hai||
Dharu jaisee aas nahee, Mera Parhalad jaisaa vishwaas naheen||
Meera jaisa raas naheen, Jisne ro aur naach rijhaya hai||
Bhakti ki bhiksha de deejo umeed katora lyaya hai|
Important: Respected Saint Garibdas Ji Maharaj tells that there is no need to leave the family and go to the forest to do devotion aiming to be liberated. A householder can also attain salvation, just as devotees Dhruv and Prahlad Ji attained first liberation abode. Similarly, a devotee doing true devotion can get rid of the vicious cycle of birth and death by doing scriptural devotion. If seekers think that God can be found only by renouncing the worldly comforts and abandoning family, then the transgenders would have been the first to attain salvation. Therefore, this is a myth that one has to quit home and dear ones to attain emancipation. Attaining God is very much possible for a householder. The same has been told in this nectar speech.
Garib, Dere dande khush raho, Khushre lahe na moksh।
Dhru Prahalad udhar gaye, To dere mein kya dosh।।
Conclusion: Dhruva’s attainment of Kingdom on earth followed by Heaven has been an inspiring story amongst the devotee society to date but in the light of true spiritual knowledge it is now clear that seeking a place in Heaven which is a temporary dwelling place is not the purpose of human life but seeking a permanent place in the eternal abode is the sole purpose of human birth. That imperishable world is Satlok which is attained by taking refuge in an enlightened saint and doing true devotion to Satpurush Kabir Sahib. The soul of Dhruva can also be emancipated provided he is blessed to obtain human birth in this running prime time of devotion and taking shelter of Tatvadarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj who is God Kabir Himself descended on earth for the welfare of the whole mankind.
FAQs about "Devotee Dhruva: A Journey of A Child to Becoming A King
Q.1 Who was Dhruva?
Dhruva was a legendary figure known for his unwavering devotion to God. His story illustrates the pursuit of divine attainment through intense penance and dedication.
Q.2 What prompted Dhruva to embark on his spiritual journey?
Dhruva's journey was catalyzed by his mistreatment at the hands of his stepmother and the subsequent denial of his rightful place in the kingdom. This injustice fueled his resolve to seek God's blessings directly.
Q.3 How did Dhruva begin his quest for divine realization?
Dhruva sought guidance from Sage Narad, who emphasized the importance of having a Guru. Narad then became Dhruva's Guru and initiated him into the path of spiritual discipline.
Q.4 What form of austerity did Dhruva practice, and for how long?
Dhruva engaged in severe austerity, including standing on one leg and abstaining from food and water. He persisted in his penance for six months with unwavering determination.
Q.5 What was the outcome of Dhruva's penance?
Dhruva's intense devotion earned him the divine vision of God, who granted him a boon. Instead of asking for earthly power, Dhruva sought a stable kingdom, which God promised to bestow upon him.
Q.6 How did Dhruva's life unfold after receiving God's boon?
Dhruva's life took a turn for the better as he was reconciled with his family and eventually ascended to the throne after the demise of his stepbrother Uttam.
Q.7 What role did devotion play in Dhruva's attainment of both earthly and heavenly kingdoms?
Dhruva's unwavering devotion to God enabled him to transcend worldly limitations and attain both material success and salvation till heaven.
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Diksha Rastogi
The story of such devotees' unwavering faith is always inspiring, encouraging me to worship God wholeheartedly. Since childhood, I've harbored a desire to reach Heaven, and I've dedicated myself to performing good deeds.
Satlok Ashram
Dear reader, we greatly value your engagement with our article. It's commendable that you are a soul devoted to God, consistently engaging in virtuous deeds to attain God and Heaven. However, it's essential to understand that Heaven, as described in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita Ji, is not a permanent eternal abode. Those who reach Heaven eventually return to the cycle of birth and death, rendering it ultimately futile. There exists a realm called 'Satlok,' where one transcends the cycle of reincarnation, attaining immortality and experiencing greater blessings than Heaven. Therefore, we advise you to discern the correct path of worship and destination before embarking on any spiritual practices. For further insights, we recommend reading the book Gyan Ganga and listening to the spiritual discourses of Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj.