Dhruva Charitra — The North Star of Devotion

King Uttanapada had two wives: Suniti, whom he ignored, and Suruchi, his favorite. One day, five-year-old Prince Dhruva, Suniti's son, tried to climb onto his father's lap. Suruchi angrily pushed him away, saying only her son had the right to sit there, and told Dhruva to pray to be born from her womb if he wanted the throne.

Heartbroken, Dhruva ran to his mother, Suniti. She wiped his tears and told him, "Your stepmother spoke a harsh truth. Only Lord Narayana can grant you a position that no one can ever take away. Seek Him."

Filled with immense determination, the little boy left the palace and entered the dense forest. On the way, the sage Narada met him, tested his resolve, and eventually gave him the mantra "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya," instructing him on how to meditate.

For six months, Dhruva performed severe austerities. He stopped eating, then stopped drinking water, and finally stopped breathing, completely absorbing his mind in Lord Vishnu. His intense meditation caused the three worlds to tremble.

Pleased by his unshakeable resolve, Lord Vishnu appeared before him. Seeing the beautiful form of the Lord, Dhruva forgot all his worldly desires and anger. He only asked to remain a devotee of the Lord forever.

Lord Vishnu blessed him, saying, "You shall rule the earth for a long time, and after that, I grant you a supreme place in the sky—the Dhruva Loka (the North Star), around which all other stars will revolve." Dhruva's steadfast devotion turned him into the eternal North Star.