Dhruva Stuti

The Dhruva Stuti is a hymn of fourteen ślokas (verses) sung by the five-year-old Dhruva to Bhagavān Śrī Hari at Madhuvana on the Yamunā, after he saw Bhagavān Hari face to face. It is found in the Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, Skanda 4, Chapter 9.

Bhagavān Hari’s touch gave Dhruva the power of speech (vāk). In the hymn Dhruva calls Bhagavān Hari the antaryāmin (inner ruler) of all the tattvas (principles of creation), the kalpavṛksha (wish-fulfilling tree) who grants every desire, the virāḍrūpa (cosmic form) that holds the universe, and the nityaśuddha (ever pure) Purusha beyond Prakṛti. He asks for Bhagavān Hari as his only refuge, as a newborn calf goes to its mother.

The setting

For five months Dhruva had practised ever more intense tapas (austerity) at Madhuvana. At the end he stood motionless on one toe, holding all his prāṇavāyus (the life-breaths). He reached deep samādhi (absorbed meditation) with the form of Bhagavān Hari clear in his heart.

Then that inner form suddenly vanished from his meditation. Dhruva opened his eyes, and the same Bhagavān Hari stood before him. Dhruva fell down in respect and gazed at him with steady devotion. But he was a small child and had not yet learned to compose stutis (hymns of praise).

Bhagavān Śrī Hari saw this and touched Dhruva’s cheek with his conch Pāñcajanya. At once Dhruva received the full power of speech. He understood the whole nature of Parameśvara and composed this hymn.

The stotra

The meaning of the fourteen ślokas runs as follows.

Bhagavān Hari awakens the senses

You entered this body and woke all my senses with the light of your caitanya (consciousness). Only by your presence do the eyes see, the ears hear and the mind know. Without you all these powers are lifeless.

Creation and what lies beyond it

Your māyā, made of sattva, rajas and tamas, brought forth the mahat-tattva and all the later tattvas of creation, in their order. Yet you are the antaryāmin of them all and are not touched by them. You are both the source of the world and its silent witness.

The nature of the world

Seen apart from you, this world is mithyā (unreal). Even the difference between waking and dreaming is lit by your grace alone. One who has once known your grace can never forget your feet.

Devotion greater than moksha

You are the kalpavṛksha who grants every wish. Yet even moksha is a smaller gift for those who have tasted the joy of hearing your stories in the company of your devotees. The ānanda (bliss) of sādhusaṅga (the company of holy people) in your kīrtana (singing of praise) is greater than the lonely joy of kaivalya (aloneness with the ātmā).

The Virāḍrūpa

Your virāḍrūpa holds all living beings, all elements and all the principles of the cosmos. In this form you are the universe itself. At the time of pralaya (dissolution) you rest on Ādiśesha, with the whole universe folded inside your belly, waiting for the next cycle.

Your nature beyond the world

You are nityaśuddha, ever pure. You are nityamukta, ever free. You are the Purusha beyond Prakṛti. In you the six divine aiśvaryas live in full: aiśvarya (lordship), vīrya (power), yaśas (fame), śrī (beauty and wealth), jñāna (knowledge) and vairāgya (freedom from desire).

Refuge

I take refuge in you alone, as a newborn calf goes by instinct to its mother even in a large herd. There is no other shelter and no other home. You are the Paramātman in whom my true nature (svarūpa) rests.

Bhagavān Hari’s answer

After he heard the stuti, Śrī Hari promised Dhruva the peerless Dhruvaloka. This is the pole-star position that lasts a full kalpa. All the grahas, nakshatras and tārakās (planets, stars and lesser stars) turn around it, and it lies above the saptarshi-maṇḍala (the circle of the seven ṛshis).

Sources

• Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, Skanda 4, Chapter 9