Sunīti, the gentle mother of Dhruva, saw her young son troubled and sorrowful after the harsh words spoken to him by Suruci, the king’s favored wife. With compassion, she spoke to calm his heart: “My dear child, do not let grief take root in you because of what has been said. The royal throne, the white umbrella of kingship, the granting of boons, and the elephants of state—these things come only to one whose merit is great. Understand this, my son, and let your mind be at peace. “It is by the merit of deeds performed in previous births that Suruci has become the king’s wife, while another like me, lacking such merit, is called otherwise. Her son, blessed with accumulated merit, is Uttama; while you, my son Dhruva, were born with little merit. Even so, my child, you should not let yourself be consumed by unhappiness. A person ought to be content with whatever is his, for as long as it lasts. “If Suruci’s words have caused you great distress, then strive to accumulate merit, for it is merit alone that brings all results. Be virtuous, devoted to righteousness, friendly, and intent on the welfare of all beings. Just as water flows naturally downward, so too do riches come to one who is worthy.” But Dhruva, still stung by the harshness of Suruci’s speech, replied, “Mother, though your words are meant to soothe me, they cannot settle in my heart, for it is wounded by what was said. Therefore, I will strive so that I may attain the highest and most excellent position—one honored by all the worlds and never fading. “Suruci is the king’s beloved, but I was not born from her womb. Yet, Mother, you will see my power, though I was born even from your aged womb. Let my brother Uttama, who was carried in her womb, obtain the royal throne given by our father—so be it. But I do not desire any position bestowed by another; I wish for that place which my father attained through his own actions.” Having spoken thus to his mother, Dhruva left the house. He departed from the city and entered the forest beyond. There, he saw sages who had come from seven generations before, sitting upon mats of grass, clad in garments of bark. Approaching them, Dhruva bowed deeply, humbly offering his respects. He addressed them: “O noble ones, know me as Dhruva, son of King Uttānapāda and Sunīti. I have come to you, disillusioned by the world.” The sages, surprised, said, “O child, son of Uttānapāda, you are but four or five years old—what could cause such disillusionment at your tender age? There is nothing for you to worry about; your father, the king, is alive, and we see no separation from what you desire, O boy. Nor do we perceive any illness in your body. If there is a reason for your sorrow, tell us, if you know.” Dhruva then recounted all that Suruci had spoken to him. Hearing this, the sages conferred among themselves, marveling: “Ah, what extraordinary kṣatriya energy! Even as a child, he cannot endure such words—the speech of his stepmother does not leave his heart.” They turned to him and asked, “O descendant of kṣatriyas, tell us what you have resolved to do in your disillusionment, if you wish. O radiant one, whatever task you desire our help with, speak it—we see you are eager to say something.” Dhruva replied, “O best of the twice-born, I do not desire wealth or a kingdom. I seek only a single place—one that has never been enjoyed by another before. Let this be accomplished for me; tell me how it may be attained—the highest place among all places, O best of sages.” Marīci answered him, “O prince, the highest place is not attained by those who have not worshipped Govinda. Therefore, worship Acyuta.” Atri added, “That supreme person, Janārdana, when pleased, grants the imperishable place to others. This is the truth I tell you.” Aṅgirā said, “All this exists within the imperishable soul of Acyuta. Worship Govinda, if you desire the highest place.” Pulastya declared, “He is the supreme Brahman, the supreme abode. By worshipping Hari, one attains even the most difficult liberation.” Pulaha said, “Indra himself attained his station by worshipping Viṣṇu, Lord of the world and of sacrifice. O virtuous one, worship him.” Kratu continued, “He is the person of sacrifice, the sacrifice itself, the supreme lord of yoga. When Janārdana is pleased, what is there that cannot be obtained?” Vasiṣṭha assured him, “Whatever place within the three worlds you desire in your mind, you will attain by worshipping Viṣṇu. What more can be said, O best of sons?” Dhruva then asked, “You have told me whom I should worship, O revered ones. Now tell me what I should recite to fully please him, and how I should properly worship that great soul. Please instruct me so that he may reveal his gracious, smiling face.” The sages replied, “O prince, you are worthy to hear from us how Viṣṇu is to be worshipped by those devoted to him. First, a man should withdraw his mind from all external objects and make it steady in that very abode of the universe. With one-pointed mind, absorbed in him, and with self-control, let him recite what we declare, O joy of princes: ‘To him who is the form of Hiraṇyagarbha, the Person, Pradhāna, and the unmanifest: Om, homage to Vāsudeva, whose nature is pure knowledge.’ “This very mantra was recited by your ancestor, the blessed Manu Svāyambhuva, and Janārdana was pleased with him. He granted him the desired accomplishment, difficult to attain even in the three worlds. In the same way, you too should strive to please Govinda by always reciting this.