Story of Dhruva (3)

 Srimad Bhagavatam - Dhruva (3)

Why did Dhruva wage a war with Yakshas? What is Narayana Astra and on whose intervention it was stopped? What was the boon Dhruva sought from Kubera? How did Dhruva end his life?

After getting Srihari's blessings, Dhruva never sought revenge on those who insulted him. After his father's demise, he took over the kingdom. He gave due respect to his stepmother and took care of his stepbrother Uttama.

Uttama was fond of reckless hunting. Once, while hunting, he was killed by Yakhas (semi-gods). The news of the demise of Uttama reached Dhruva.

To take revenge on the Yakshas, Dhruva decided to wage war against them and wipe out the Yaksha race itself. Both sides fought ferociously. Dhruva decided to use ‘Narayana Astra' (a powerful weapon that would result in catastrophe).

Swayambhu Manu, Dhruva's grandfather, intervened and stopped Dhruva from using Narayana Astra. He said Yakshas did not kill his Uttama but the ‘Time’ factor that took away his life. None can escape this 'Time' component, while Yakshas was just a medium in the process. 

Manu also warned Dhruva that Kubera, the king of Yaksha, is a friend of Lord Shiva. Conquering Kubera is next to impossible. He asked Dhruva to seek an apology from Kubera. 

Dhruva respectfully accepted his grandfather's advice and thought for a while on how to approach Kubera. To his surprise, Kubera appeared before him as he knew Dhruva's achievements and had held him in high regard.  

When Kubera asked Dhruva for a boon, he sought to be blessed with constant devotion towards Srihari with the help of which one can cross the ocean of worldly existence. 

Dhruva returned to his kingdom (Barishmathi). He performed several sacrifices. After ruling the kingdom for 36000 years (lifespan of a God), he handed over the kingdom to his son, Utkala, and left for penance at Visala, Badarikashrama.

On undertaking severe penance, he attained a samadhi state. When death arrived, Sunanda and Nanda, the two attendants of Lord Vishnu, took him to Vishnuloka in the aerial car. Suniti, Dhruva's mother, was also taken in another aerial car.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana