With his heart overflowing with devotion, Dhruva offered homage to the Supreme Lord, recognizing Him as the inner essence present in all beings, the very soul that bears every form. He acknowledged that all creation arises from this Lord and ultimately returns to Him, and so he bowed in reverence to the One who dwells in all. Dhruva spoke with deep humility and faith: “You are the self of all, the Lord abiding in every being. What more can I say, O Lord, to You who know all that is hidden in every heart? O Soul of all, source of every living creature, You know the desires of every being. The wish I cherished has been fulfilled by Your grace. The austerities I performed have borne fruit, for I have beheld You, O Lord of the universe.” The Blessed Lord, pleased with Dhruva’s devotion, replied: “The fruit of your austerity is indeed this vision of Me, Dhruva. For, O prince, the sight of Me is never without reward. Therefore, choose a boon as you desire; for when one comes before Me, nothing is impossible.” Dhruva, with folded hands, responded: “O Lord, ruler of past and future, who dwells in the heart of all, what is unknown to You of the thoughts in my mind? Yet, O Lord of the gods, I will speak of my desire, though my heart is unworthy and what I seek is difficult to obtain. But what could be unattainable, O creator of all worlds, when You are pleased? Even Indra, king of the gods, enjoys the fruits of Your favor. “My stepmother once declared, ‘This royal seat is not fit for one not born from my womb,’ speaking so arrogantly to me. Therefore, O Lord, I seek from You an imperishable place, the highest of all, the very support of the universe, by Your grace.” The Lord smiled and said: “The place you seek, you shall indeed obtain. You pleased Me before, O child, in a previous birth. Once, you were a son of Brahma, ever devoted to Me, serving your parents and upholding your duty. As time passed, a prince became your friend, youthful, radiant, and enjoying all pleasures. Seeing his extraordinary prosperity, you wished, ‘May I become a prince.’ Thus, by your desire, you have now been born, O rare one, in the house of Uttānapāda. The position you hold in the lineage of Svāyambhuva is difficult for others to attain. “Moreover, child, whoever worships Me as you did in that other birth attains liberation without delay. For one whose mind is fixed on Me, what need is there for heaven or any such state? By My grace, you shall obtain a place above the three worlds, the abode of all stars and planets, Dhruva—there is no doubt. From the Sun, the Moon, Mars, the son of Soma, Brihaspati, the son of Shukra, and all the stars—Dhruva stands among them. “Above all sages and celestial gods who travel the skies, your place has been granted by Me, Dhruva. Some gods remain for the duration of a four-age cycle, some for a Manvantara; but your position, which I have given, endures for the entire Kalpa. Your mother Sunīti, pure and dear to you, will become a star in a celestial chariot and dwell there for that time. And those humans who, with focused minds, praise you morning and evening will attain great merit.” Śrī Parāśara then said: “Thus, having received the boon from Janārdana, the Lord of the Universe, Dhruva, endowed with great wisdom, dwells in the central position in the heavens. By serving his mother and father, by the greatness of the twelve-syllable mantra, and by the power of his austerity, Dhruva attained this exalted state. “Observing Dhruva’s pride, prosperity, and greatness, Uśanas, the teacher of gods and demons, exclaimed: ‘Ah, the strength of his austerity! Ah, the fruit of his austerity! Because of it, the seven sages stand before Dhruva.’ “This is Dhruva’s mother, Sunīti, virtuous and gentle—who on earth can describe her greatness? She has attained the supreme, steadfast position, the refuge of the three worlds, for she bore Dhruva in her womb. Whoever daily recounts Dhruva’s ascent to heaven is freed from all sins and is honored in the world of the gods. Such a person does not suffer loss of position, whether in heaven or on earth, and, endowed with all auspiciousness, lives a long life.” Parāśara continued: “From Dhruva came Śiṣṭi and Bhavya; from Bhavya, Śambhu was born. Śiṣṭi’s wife Succhāyā bore five sons, all pure: Ripu, Ripunjaya, Vipra, Vṛkala, and Vṛkatejasa. From Ripu, Bṛhatī was born, and from her, Cākṣuṣa, full of brilliance. “Cākṣuṣa generated Manu by Puṣkariṇī and Vāruṇī, daughters of Prajāpati Vīraṇa, the great-souled one. Ten sons were born to Manu from Naḍvalā, a daughter of great strength, and from the daughter of Vairāja Prajāpati, the best of ascetics. These sons were: Kuru, Puru, Śata, Dyumna, Tapasvī, Satyavān, Śuci, Agniṣṭoma, Otirātra, and Sudyumna; Abhimanyu was the tenth, born of Naḍvalā, the mighty. “Kuru’s wife, the daughter of Agni, gave birth to six illustrious sons: Anga, Sumanasa, Khyati, Kratu, Angiras, and Sibi. From Anga was born a single son named Vena, through his wife Sunitha; and for the sake of progeny, the sages churned his right arm.” Thus, the story of Dhruva’s devotion, his exalted position in the heavens, and the lineage that flowed from him, was told in reverence and wonder, a shining example for all who seek the Lord with a pure heart.