From Banishment to Vaikuṇṭha - The Exemplary Character of the Mother of Dhruva
In the Vedic tradition, the mother is often the first teacher of the child. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the mother of Dhruva, Queen Suniti, is the perfect example of a vīra-sū—a mother who gives birth to a great hero. While the young prince displayed incredible determination, it was his mother’s initial instruction that channeled his anger into a search for the Absolute Truth. This article explores her role as the spiritual guide who showed the way, her noble conduct in the face of domestic adversity, and her eventual promotion to the spiritual world alongside her celebrated son.
Patha-pradarśaka-guru
When the five-year-old child was insulted by his stepmother and ignored by his father, he turned to Queen Suniti for a solution. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that she acted as his patha-pradarśaka-guru, or the spiritual master who shows the path. Although she could not be his dīkṣā-guru due to the social customs of the time, she was the first to give him the clue on how to achieve the favor of the Supreme Lord. She advised him that only God could mitigate his distress and suggested he go to the forest where great sages find the Divine through penance.
- Actually, Dhruva Maharaja's mother, Suniti, was his patha-pradarsaka-guru. Patha-pradarsaka-guru means "the guru, or the spiritual master, who shows the way." Such a guru is sometimes called siksa-guru.
- Although Narada Muni was his (Dhruva Maharaja's) diksa-guru (initiating spiritual master), Suniti, his mother, was the first who gave him instruction on how to achieve the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Suniti, however, being a woman, and specifically his mother, could not become Dhruva Maharaja's diksa-guru. Still, he was not less obliged to Suniti.
- The great sage Narada told Dhruva Maharaja: The instruction given by your mother, Suniti, to follow the path of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is just suitable for you. You should therefore completely absorb yourself in the devotional service of the Lord.
Nobility in the Midst of Neglect
The character of the mother of Dhruva was tested by severe material neglect. King Uttānapāda, addicted to his second wife, had practically banished Suniti and her son. Despite being "deposed" and treated like a maidservant, she remained a farseeing and unenvious woman. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights her greatness during the reception of her son; when the news reached the palace that the boy was returning, she did not hesitate to share her palanquin with her rival, Suruci. Her tears of joy and her lack of resentment toward those who caused her suffering marked her as a true devotee of the highest order.
- Suniti did not hesitate to take the other wife, Suruci, and her son, Uttama, on the same palanquin. That was the greatness of Queen Suniti, the mother of the great Vaisnava Dhruva Maharaja.
- When the news reached the palace that Dhruva Maharaja was returning, his mother, Suniti, out of her great compassion and due to being the mother of a great Vaisnava, did not hesitate to take the other wife, Suruci, and her son, Uttama, on the same palanquin.
- Suniti said: My dear boy, whatever has been spoken by Suruci is so, because the King, your father, does not consider me his wife or even his maidservant. He feels ashamed to accept me.
- My dear Vidura, Suniti was the mother of a great hero. Her tears, together with the milk flowing from her breasts, wet the whole body of Dhruva Maharaja. This was a great, auspicious sign.
Elevation to Vaikuṇṭhaloka
The spiritual fulfillment of the mother of Dhruva is one of the most touching aspects of this history. As the young prince was boarding the transcendental airplane to the spiritual world, he hesitated, remembering his "poor mother" who had given him so much. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the associates of Viṣṇu, Nanda and Sunanda, immediately showed him that his mother was already traveling ahead in another plane. This incident proves that a pure devotee can carry their parents to the kingdom of God. Like Suniti, she changed her body into a spiritual form, demonstrating that every mother should aim to train her child to be a servant of the Lord.
- Dhruva had a feeling of obligation to his mother, Suniti. It was Suniti who had given him the clue which had now enabled him to be personally carried to the Vaikuntha planet by the associates of Visnu. He now remembered her and wanted to take her with him.
- The great associates of Vaikunthaloka, Nanda and Sunanda, could understand the mind of Dhruva Maharaja, and thus they showed him that his mother, Suniti, was going forward in another plane.
- It should be noted also that while Suniti was going to Vaikunthaloka she also changed her body into spiritual form. Like Sri Suniti, every mother should train her child to become a devotee like Dhruva Maharaja.
- This incident (of taking his mother with him) proves that a pure devotee like Dhruva Maharaja can fulfill all his desires; by the grace of God, he becomes exactly like the Lord, and thus whenever he thinks of anything, his wish is immediately fulfilled.
Conclusion
The journey from banishment to the eternal abode of Vaikuṇṭha illustrates the matchless power of a mother’s faith. Śrīla Prabhupāda reminds us that while King Uttānapāda’s addiction caused temporary suffering, the spiritual foresight of Queen Suniti provided a permanent solution. By teaching her son to worship the Supreme Lord rather than seeking temporary demigod benedictions, she not only fulfilled her son’s desire for a kingdom but also achieved her own liberation. Her life stands as an eternal instruction that the greatest hero a mother can produce is a devotee of the Lord, for such a child becomes the deliverer of the entire family.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Dhruva's Mother. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.