*SKANDHA IV. CHAP. 8-12.*
Uttanapada is one of the sons of the First Manu. Uttanapada means "with
uplifted foot". This perhaps refers to the period when the Jiva, having
still the spiritual element strong in him, was not fixed in the course
of material descent, but had one foot towards Mahar-Loka. Uttanapada had
two wives Suruchi (with good graces) and Suniti (of good morals). Uttama
or the Highest was the son of Suruchi. Dhruva or the fixed was the son
of Suniti. Once upon a time, Dhruva found Uttama on his father's lap and
he wished to be there himself. For fear of Suruchi, Uttanapada did not
dare stretch forth his hands towards Dhruva, while Suruchi herself
taunted the boy for his impudent aspiration. Stung to the quick by the
bitter words of his stepmother Dhruva forthwith left the place and went
straight to his mother and related to her his grievances. Suniti advised
her son who was only five years old to make Tapas. Dhruva did not lose
time but left home to make Tapas as directed by his mother. Narada met
him on the way. "Thou art a child Dhruva" said the great Rishi. "How is
it possible for thee to find out Him by Tapas, Who is attainable by
intense Yoga concentration and freedom from passion practised for
several births. Desist my boy, for the present. Try, when thou hast
enjoyed all the things of the world and hast grown old". But Dhruva was
fixed in resolve and he importuned Narada to teach him how to meditate.
Narada initiated Dhruva into the mysteries of the Mantra "Om Namo
Bhagavate Vasudevaya", told him how to meditate on Vasudeva and asked
him to make Tapas at Mathura where Bhagavan permanently resides. Dhruva
passed his days in austere asceticism, standing on one foot and living
on air. The prince at last controlled his breath and with deep
concentration saw the Divine Light in the heart. Bhagavan withdrew that
Light from the heart, and on the break of Samadhi, Dhruva found the same
Divinity outside, standing before him. Words he had none for a time.
Bhagavan addressing him said: -- "O Thou Kshatriya boy! I know thy
resolve. Do thou ever prosper. I give thee a place which is ever bright
and where Nirvana is constant. The planets and stars are all attached to
that place. Those that live for a Kalpa will die, but that place shall
never be destroyed. Dharma, Agni, Kasyapa, Indra and the seven Rishis
with all the luminaries of the sky are constantly revolving round the
place. Thou shalt succeed thy father on the throne and reign for 36,000
years. Thy brother Uttama shall disappear in a forest. Thy stepmother
Suruchi shall die in pursuit of her son. The place where thou shalt
finally go is my own abode, higher than that of the Rishis, and there is
no return from it."
Dhruva returned to his parents and was placed by his father on the
throne. He married Bhrami, the daughter of Sisumara, and had two sons by
her, Kalpa and Vatsara. He had another son Utkala by Ila. Uttama was
killed by a powerful Yaksha while out on a hunt. Dhruva went out to the
north to take revenge on the Yakshas for his brother's death. He killed
several thousands of innocent Yakshas, Rakshasas and Kinnaras in battle.
Manu took pity on them and asked his grandson to desist from fight.
Dhruva bowed in obedience to Manu and so Kubera the king of Yakshas
became much pleased with him and blest him too. After thirty six
thousand years, Sananda and Nanda, two companions of Vishnu came with a
chariot and took Dhruva to the promised abode.
Utkala was the eldest son of Dhruva and he was entitled to succeed his
father. But he was a sage and had united himself with Brahma. He
declined the throne. Bhrami's son Vatsara became the king. Vatsara
married Subithi and had six sons by her, -- Pushparna, Tigmaketu, Isha,
Urja, Vasu and Jaya. Pushparna had two wives, -- Pravha and Dosha.
Prabha had three sons, -- Pratar, Madhyandina and Sayam, Dosha had three
sons, -- Pradosha, Nisitha and Vyushta. Vyushta married Pushkarini. His
Son was Sarvatejas, afterwards called Chakshus. Chakshus had one son, --
Nadvala Manu.