Dhruva, the intelligent young prince, was overwhelmed with sorrow when he could not find comfort in his father’s lap. With a heavy heart, he turned to his mother, Sunīti, and wept again and again. Seeing her son in tears, Sunīti herself was overtaken by grief. She was painfully aware that Suruci, the king’s beloved wife, also had a son, and that her own fate and her son’s were less fortunate. She spoke gently to Dhruva, “My child, you were born to me, a woman of little fortune, and you too have not been blessed with good luck. Why do you grieve so? Why do you weep again and again? Your sorrow only deepens my pain. O Dhruva, if you wish to claim your rightful place, you must do so by your own strength.” Taking his mother’s words to heart, Dhruva resolved to act. He left home and journeyed into the forest. There, he encountered the sage Viśvāmitra and bowed respectfully before him. With folded hands and reverence, Dhruva asked, “O revered one, please tell me—by what means may I attain the highest place among all?” He explained his plight: “When I sat upon my father’s lap, Suruci, my stepmother, cast me aside, and my father, the king, said nothing. This frightened me, and so I went to my mother. She told me not to grieve excessively and said that by my own actions I should attain the highest place. Remembering her words, I have come here, O sage. Today, by your grace, may I attain a supreme and wonderful place.” Viśvāmitra, smiling kindly, replied, “O prince, listen well: you shall indeed attain that supreme place. Worship Keśava, Lord of the worlds and destroyer of afflictions, who arose from the right side of Mahādeva. Constantly recite the mantra that destroys all sins, grants desires, and is supremely pure and holy. With controlled senses, speak this divine mantra, joined with the praṇava: ‘Let there be homage to Vāsudeva!’” Dhruva listened with devotion. He began to meditate on eternal Viṣṇu, dedicating himself to recitation and sacrifice. He bowed to Viśvāmitra and, facing east with a disciplined and joyful mind, he sustained himself on roots, fruits, and vegetables. Tirelessly, for a whole year, he recited the mantra day and night, never ceasing. As Dhruva’s penance deepened, terrifying spirits, demons, and wild beasts such as lions approached to disturb him. Even his mother Sunīti, taking on the dreadful form of a piśāci, appeared and wept, “You are my only son—why do you suffer so? Why have you abandoned your helpless mother to practice such austerity?” But Dhruva, steadfast in his resolve, did not even look at her; he continued joyfully reciting the name of Hari. Seeing his unwavering devotion, all obstacles vanished from that place. Then, radiant as a dark raincloud, Viṣṇu himself arrived on Garuḍa, surrounded by the gods and praised by great sages. The blessed Viṣṇu, destroyer of foes, came near Dhruva, who gazed in awe, wondering who this divine being might be. Dhruva, shining with the light of his penance, stood reciting “Vāsudeva.” Govinda, the Lord, touched Dhruva’s face with the edge of his conch shell. In that moment, Dhruva attained supreme knowledge and realization of the highest Person. With folded palms, he praised Hari, the Lord of all worlds: “Be gracious, Lord of gods, bearer of conch, discus, and mace, soul of the world, knower of the Vedas’ secrets—I take refuge in you, O Keśava. Even the great sages like Sanaka do not know you, O great soul; how then can I know you? Salutations to you, Lord of the world.” Viṣṇu, smiling, said, “Come, child Dhruva. Having attained the fixed place, become the foremost among the stars. There, together with your mother, attain the place of the stars—this supreme, eternal, and beautiful abode of mine. Long ago, by austerity and worship of the Lord of gods, this was obtained from Śaṅkara: whoever always recites ‘Vāsudeva’ with the praṇava, with reverence and joined with the word ‘Bhagavat’ and salutation, that wise one attains the fixed place of Dhruva.” At that, all the gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, supreme sages, and their mothers established themselves in that celestial place. Following Viṣṇu’s command, the radiant Dhruva attained his position among the luminaries through the power of the twelve-syllable mantra. He achieved the highest perfection. Thus, it is said: Whoever bows to Vāsudeva attains the realm of Dhruva; their steadfastness becomes like that of Dhruva himself. Now, O Sūta, tell us in proper order the excellent origin of the gods, the demons, the Gandharvas, serpents, and Rākṣasas. It is said that the earlier creation arose from intention, vision, and touch. But after Dakṣa, the son of Pracetas, creation proceeded through sexual union. When Dakṣa was creating gods, sages, and serpents, the worlds did not flourish; only through the union of sex did growth occur. Dakṣa, by birth, produced five thousand sons. Seeing them, and desiring to create various beings, he was truly fortunate.