From the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Budha the son of Soma, Brihaspati, Shukra’s son, and all the stars, Dhruva stands among them, shining steadfast in the heavens. Above all the sages and celestial gods who traverse the skies, the Supreme Lord granted Dhruva a place higher than all—his position is unique and exalted. While some gods remain for the duration of a four-age cycle and others for a Manvantara, the station given to Dhruva endures for the entire length of a Kalpa, the lifetime of the universe itself. Dhruva’s mother, Sunīti, pure and ever close to her son, was also raised to the heavens. She became a radiant star, dwelling in a celestial chariot near Dhruva for that entire span. Those humans who, with focused minds, praise Dhruva morning and evening, are blessed with great merit. Thus, having received this supreme boon from the Lord of the Universe, Janārdana, wise Dhruva took his place at the center of the heavens. His greatness was earned by devoted service to his mother and father, the power of the twelve-syllable mantra, and the strength of his austerities. Observing Dhruva’s prosperity and glory, the great teacher of gods and demons, Uśanas, extolled him: “Ah, the strength of his austerity! Ah, the fruit of his penance! Because of it, even the seven sages stand before Dhruva.” Sunīti, Dhruva’s mother, gentle and virtuous, was also praised, for who on earth could truly describe the measure of her greatness? She attained the highest, steadfast position—the refuge of the three worlds—being the blessed mother of Dhruva. Whoever daily recounts the story of Dhruva’s ascent to the heavens is freed from all sins and honored among the gods. Such a person suffers no loss of position, whether in heaven or on earth, and, endowed with all auspiciousness, lives a long life. Śrī Parāśara continued: From Dhruva were born Śiṣṭi and Bhavya; from Bhavya came Śambhu. Śiṣṭi’s wife, Succhāyā, bore five pure sons: Ripu, Ripunjaya, Vipra, Vṛkala, and Vṛkatejasa. Ripu’s daughter was Bṛhatī, and from Bṛhatī came Cākṣuṣa, radiant with brilliance. Cākṣuṣa had Manu by his wives Puṣkariṇī and Vāruṇī, daughters of the great Prajāpati Vīraṇa. Manu’s wife, Naḍvalā—herself a daughter of great strength and of Vairāja Prajāpati—bore him ten sons: Kuru, Puru, Śata, Dyumna, Tapasvī, Satyavān, Śuci, Agniṣṭoma, Otirātra, Sudyumna, and Abhimanyu. Kuru’s wife, the daughter of Agni, gave birth to six illustrious sons: Anga, Sumanasa, Khyati, Kratu, Angiras, and Sibi. Anga’s wife, Sunitha, bore him a single son named Vena. But for the sake of progeny, when the need arose, the sages churned Vena’s right arm. From this churning by the great sages, a king named Vainya, renowned as Prithu, emerged. It was Prithu who, for the benefit of all people, first milked the Earth. At this point, Maitreya asked, “For what reason did the exalted sages churn Vena’s arm, from which the mighty Prithu was born, O best of sages?” Śrī Parāśara replied: Sunitha, who was first the daughter of Mrityu (Death), was given as a wife to Anga, and from her, Vena was born. Because of his maternal grandfather’s nature, Vena, being the son of Mrityu’s daughter, was wicked from birth. When Vena was consecrated as king by the eminent sages, he proclaimed himself sovereign over the land. He forbade all sacrifices, gifts, and offerings, declaring, “Who else but I is the enjoyer of sacrifice? Today, I alone am the lord and master of sacrifices.” The sages, honoring the king first, then approached him and spoke gently: “O king, listen to our words. Kingship is for the benefit of the body and for the highest good of the people. By long sacrifice, we worship Hari, the Lord of all sacrifices and the god of gods. May all be well with you—a share of the sacrifice will be yours. By sacrifice, the sacrificial Person, Vishnu, is pleased, and he will grant all your desires through us. Where Hari is duly worshipped in a kingdom, he bestows all desired objects upon its rulers.” But Vena replied with pride, “Who is greater than I, or who else is worthy of worship besides me? Who is this Hari, known as the lord of sacrifice, whom you consider supreme? Brahma, Janardana, Shambhu, Indra, Vayu, Yama, Ravi, Agni, Varuna, Dhata, Pusha, Earth, and the Moon—all these gods, and others who grant curses and blessings, reside in the king’s body. The king is the embodiment of all the gods. Therefore, let it be done only as I command: no gifts, no sacrifices, and no offerings. Just as service to the husband is the highest duty for women, so obedience to my command is your duty, O twice-born ones.” The sages pleaded, “Grant permission, O great king, do not let righteousness perish. The transformation of offerings sustains the entire world.” But despite their repeated entreaties, Vena did not relent. At last, filled with anger and indignation, all the sages exclaimed to one another, “Let him be slain, let him be slain, this sinner! He who reviles Viṣṇu, the eternal Lord and personification of sacrifice, is not fit to rule the earth.” Thus, the story of Dhruva’s ascent and the lineage that followed, including the rise and fall of Vena, and the emergence of the righteous Prithu, unfolded in the celestial narrative passed down by the great sage Parāśara.