The story begins with the lineage of Dakṣa’s daughters, whose progeny was remarkable. The Agniṣvāttas, Bahirṣads, Anagnis, and Sāgnis, together with Svadhā, gave birth to Mainā and Vaidhāriṇī. Both Mainā and Vaidhāriṇī were learned in Brahman, accomplished yoginīs, blessed with supreme knowledge and all virtues. Thus, the descendants of Dakṣa’s daughters are recounted, and it is said that whoever remembers this lineage with faith will never remain childless. Śrī Parāśara then continues, describing the two mighty and righteous sons of Svāyambhuva Manu: Priyavrata and Uttānapāda. Of these, Uttānapāda had a son named Uttama by his beloved wife Suruci, who was exceedingly dear to the king. The queen Sunīti, however, was not greatly favored by Uttānapāda, and her son was Dhruva. One day, Dhruva saw his cousin Uttama, the son of Suruci, sitting on their father’s lap. In his heart, Dhruva longed to climb up and sit with his father as well. But the king, though present, did not welcome Dhruva, who had come with affection and eagerness. Suruci, observing her co-wife’s son yearning to sit on the king’s lap while her own son was already seated there, spoke harshly to Dhruva. She said, “Child, why do you desire such a great wish in vain? One born from another woman cannot attain what is not conceived in my womb. You desire the highest, which is unattainable; you lack discernment. Truly, you are also his son, but you were not borne by me. This royal seat, the refuge of all kings, is fit only for my son. Why do you trouble yourself? Your wish is lofty, just as my son’s, but why in vain? Do you not realize you were born from Sunīti?” Hearing these words from his stepmother, Dhruva, angry and hurt, left his father and went to his own mother’s dwelling. Sunīti saw her son, his lower lip trembling with anger, and took him onto her lap, asking gently, “Child, what is the cause of your anger? Who has not welcomed you? Who, O child, would blame your father, who has wronged you?” Dhruva then told his mother everything, recounting how Suruci, proud before the king, had spoken those words. Hearing this, Sunīti sighed deeply, her eyes filling with tears, and spoke to her son, “Suruci has spoken the truth, my son; you are unfortunate. Indeed, O child, the virtuous are not freed from co-wives. Do not be disturbed by what has been done in the past. Who can give or take away what you have not done? Therefore, you should not let sorrow arise in you because of those words. The royal throne, the royal umbrella, boons, and elephants belong to the one whose merit is great. Understand this, my son, and be at peace. By the merit of deeds in previous births, Suruci became the king’s wife, while another like me, lacking merit, is called otherwise. Her son, endowed with accumulated merit, is Uttama; my son Dhruva was born with little merit. Even so, my child, you ought not to make yourself unhappy; a person should be content with whatever is his, as long as it lasts. If you have been greatly distressed by Suruci’s words, then strive for the accumulation of merit, which bestows all results. Be virtuous, devoted to righteousness, friendly, and intent on the welfare of living beings; just as water flows downward, so too do riches come to one who is worthy.” Dhruva replied, “Mother, though you have spoken these words to calm me, they do not remain in my heart, which has been wounded by harsh speech. Therefore, I shall strive in such a way that I attain the highest and most excellent position, honored by all the worlds and never fading. Suruci is the king’s beloved, but I was not born from her womb; mother, see my power, though I was born even from your aged womb. My brother Uttama, who was carried in her womb, let him obtain the royal throne given by our father; so be it. Mother, I do not desire any other position given by someone else; I wish for that place which my father attained through his own actions.” Having thus spoken to his mother, Dhruva left the house and, departing from the city, entered the forest outside. There, he saw sages from seven generations before, seated on grass mats and clad in garments of bark. The young prince approached them, bowed down, and addressed them with humility, properly offering his respects. He said, “O noble ones, know me as Dhruva, son of Uttānapāda, born of Sunīti, who has come to you out of disillusionment.” The sages, seeing the young child, asked, “O child, son of Uttānapāda, you are only four or five years old; what cause for disillusionment could there be for you at this age? There is nothing for you to worry about; your father, the king, is alive, and we do not see any separation from what you desire, O boy. Nor do we perceive any illness in your body; if there is any reason for your disillusionment, tell us, if you know.” Dhruva then told the sages what had been spoken by Suruci. Hearing this, the sages spoke among themselves, reflecting on the young prince’s plight and determination.