After Dhruva grows up, Uttanapada, his father crowns him king and goes away to the forest to seek Mukti. Dhruva marries Bhrami, Prapapati Sisumara’s daughter. Bhrami gives birth to two sons, Kalpa and Vatsara. Dhruva also marries Vayu Deva’s daughter Ila who gives birth to a son called Utkala.
But Dhruva’s brother Uttama chooses not to marry and lives in his father’s palace along with him. One day, Uttama goes hunting in the Himalayas. He reaches Alaka, the secret city of Kubera. Kubera, the guardian deity of the North (Dik Pala) and a protector of the world (Loka Pala) is the overlord of various semi-divine beings like Yakshas, Rakshasas, Bhutas, Pisachas and Shiva Ganas. Kubera is also Shiva’s closest friend.
When a Yaksha spots Uttama near Alaka, he kills him. And when Uttama’s mother, Suruchi hears the news she dies of shock. Dhruva becomes furious when he hears the news of his brother’s unexpected death. He is overwhelmed by the unfairness of the entire situation.
So he immediately goes to the Himalayas. He stands outside Alaka, blows his conch shell and invites all the Pisachas, Bhutas, Yakshas and other Shiva Ganas to a battle. The ominous sound that emerges from Dhruva’s conch creates ripples of fear amidst the Yakshis of Alaka.
But the Yakshas and Rakshasas immediately fly out of Alaka and surround him. Dhruva instantly kills them all. His wrath gets the better of him and he ends up killing thousands of Alaka’s semi-divine beings.
The Siddhas look at his actions with dismay. They wonder how a devout person like Dhruva could succumb to such rage. He seemed to have no trace of divinity in him. The Siddhas shake their heads dejectedly because they know that Dhruva’s violence would wipe out the entire race of human beings from the earth.
Meanwhile, Dhruva continues to decimate Kubera’s army. Even in the midst of the battle, the Yakshas and Rakshasas pause for a moment to salute his archery skills. The Yakshas and Rakshasas who survive the battle flee to Alaka.
But Dhruva knows that the Yakshas are masters of sorcery. So he wisely decides not to enter Alaka. The next minute he hears a great noise like that of a roaring sea. He sees snow and dust flying around him. And the next instant ferocious animals and serpents surround him even as blood, pus and excrement rain on him.
The Rishis of the heaven watch the sudden turn of events in horror and chant prayers for his welfare. But Dhruva calmly raises the Narayanastra and breaks the Yakshas’ spell.
When Svayambuva Manu hears the piteous screams of the Yakshas he is moved to tears. He feels very surprised when he sees his grandson slaughtering thousands of yakshas mercilessly.
So Manu says, “O Dhruva, this terrible rage of yours will take you to hell. Stop for a moment and ponder upon your actions. One Yaksha killed your brother. And you seek revenge by slaughtering their entire race. Are the Yakshas animals that you are butchering in this callous manner?
These are divine beings. You are Vishnu’s dearest bhakta. Yet you fail to see the divinity within these beings. Think for a moment. Kubera, their master is Shiva’s closest friend. You should be leading the world by example – by practising virtues like patience, compassion, friendship and forgiveness. All beings are equal and Hari resides in everyone’s soul.
O Dhruva, the Yaksha who killed Uttama was only an instrument of fate. He died because Hari willed it. He alone decides the time, place and manner of everyone’s death. Sober up. You cannot turn back the clock now. And murdering these innocent yakshas will not bring your brother back to life. Seek the grace of lord Narayana once again and find your peace of mind in Him. Stop this madness of yours and ask Kubera for forgiveness immediately.”
When Dhruva hears his grandfather’s words he feels ashamed of his ruthless actions. He feels extremely guilty, flings his bow and quiver of arrows and cries out in sorrow. The Yakshas run back to inform Kubera about his sudden change in behaviour.
Kubera goes out of Alaka along with the Kinnaras and Charanas to meet Dhruva. Kubera addresses him respectfully and says, “O divine Kshatriya, you are indeed a splendid warrior. I salute you.” But Dhruva who is full of remorse remains silent.
Kubera looks at him gently and says, “Ah, Dhruva, don’t let guilt torment you. Fate is at work here. My Yaksha did not kill your brother. Nor did you kill all these Yakshas, Guhyakas and Rakshasas. They died because they were fated to die and also because it was God’s will. Their time had come.
But I am glad that you have shed your enmity towards us. I know you are lord Vishnu’s favourite bhakta. And I am pleased by the fact that you instantly understood the wisdom of your grandfather’s words. Ask me for a boon and I will give it to you.”
Overwhelmed by Kubera’s forgiveness, Dhruva bows low to Kubera and says, “Words fail me O lord of treasures. Today, I have realized the value of intangible treasures like peace, bhakti and most important of all – forgiveness. I am truly honoured by your magnanimity.
Grant me this one boon which will help me overcome my shortcomings. May I always have an image of lord Narayana in my heart. May hatred and revenge never enter it again.” Kubera fulfils his boon and vanishes from there.
The war at the gates of Alaka transforms Dhruva. With Kubera’s blessings, he gets the strength to worship Vishnu incessantly with pure Bhakti. He learns to look for and find only Vishnu everywhere and in every creature. And He treats all beings compassionately, treats his people like his own children and rules over his kingdom wisely for several years.
Dhruva then renounces his kingdom and performs a penance in Badarikashram. When his time on the earth gets over, Vishnu’s servitors Nanda and Sunanda come in a vimana to fetch him. They say, “O Dhruva, even the Pitrs and Saptarishis aspire to reach Vishnu’s realm but can only gaze at it from afar. But you alone deserve a place in Vishnu’s loka which is the highest realm of all.”
When he walks towards the vimana, Yama appears and prostrates before him. Dhruva sets his right foot on Yama’s head and enters the vimana. Just before the vimana rises he thinks of his mother, Suniti. Nanda and Sunanda point to another vimana above theirs and he feels content when he sees his mother already seated in it.
Both the vimanas fly through the aerial path, Devayana, rise above the triloka, beyond the realm of the Saptarishis and arrive in Vishnuloka. Vishnu welcomes him and says, “O Dhruva, only the rarest of rare rise above their challenges, focus on Moksha and transform into sinless human beings. Such beings are very dear to me. You have transcended them all and will always remain my dearest bhakta. Go now. Reside permanently as a constant star in their northern sky. All other heavenly bodies will revolve around you.”
If Dhruva, Vishnu’s dearest bhakta, can succumb to rage, what chance do we mere mortals stand? Sadly, such stories that sober us to reality are never brought to the fore. Let’s do our best to keep a firm check on anger and focus on understanding things from others’ perspectives as well. And reiterate to ourselves, that a higher order is at work. At all times.
Please click here to read more stories on Vishnu.