Dhruva literally means unshakable, immovable, or fixed. Dhruva was born to a king named Uttanapada and his wife Suniti. The king had another wife named Suruchi and a son Uttama.
Once when Dhruva was five years old, he saw Uttama sitting on his father’s lap at the King’s throne. Dhruva also wanted to sit on his father’s lap, but his stepmother scolded him and said that if you want to sit in the lap, go and pray to the Bhagwan to be born as my son.
After being rebuked by his step-mother, Dhruv proceeded to leave the kingdom and started his journey through the forest. On his way, he met Narad Muni and asked him for spiritual guidance. Narad Muni, looking at the boy’s age, first advised him to return home. However, Dhruv insisted on spiritual guidance. Seeing the determination in Dhruva’s response, he advised him on how to do the penance and tapas. He gave him a mantra – Om Namo Bhagwati Vasudevay! to chant.
Dhruva did penance and tapas for six months. As the months passed by, first he lived on fruits, then on water and then just on air. Eventually, he even gave up breathing and just stood on one foot while chanting. His concentration created such powerful vibrations in the universe that the inhabitants on earth and heaven were unable to breathe. Bhagwan Narayan was incredibly pleased and appeared in front of his devotee. Dhruva beheld the divine vision. He wanted to praise the Bhagwan; however, he had lost his speech. Narayan touched his cheek with the holy conch and blessed him with divine knowledge. Dhruva delivered a prayer to the Bhagwan. Narayan asked him to return to his father. His father greeted him and made him the king. Dhruva ruled for many years and later got a permanent place in heaven as a Pole Star-Dhruva Tara, as Bhagwan Narayana had promised him, because he had remained firm and stood for six months during the austerities.
Dhruva represents a child with determination and resolve, and devotion to the Bhagwan. Upon seeing Him, instead of asking for material wealth, he had asked for the Love of Bhagwan. He knew the real treasure in life is remembering Bhagwan all the time.
— Sanjay Mehta