There is âgavataPurânot much to detain us in this Table. It will be enough if readers will please note the meanings of the names used.
We must divide this Table into the following heads: -- I. The story of Dhruva, II. The story of Pirthu, III. The story of Prachina Barhis, IV. The allegory of Puranjana, and V. The story of the Prachetasas.
Uttânapâda is one of the sons of the First Manu. Uttânapâda means "with uplifted foot". This perhaps refers to the period when the Jiva, having still the spiritual element strong in him, was not fixed in the course of material descent, but had one foot towards Mahar-Loka. Uttânapâda had two wives Suruchi (with good graces) and Suniti (of good morals). Uttama or the Highest was the son of Suruchi. Dhruva or the fixed was the son of Suniti. Once upon a time, Dhruva found Uttama on his father's lap and he wished to be there himself. For fear of Suruchi, Uttânapâda did not dare stretch forth his hands towards Dhruva, while Suruchi herself taunted the boy for his impudent aspiration. Stung to the quick by the bitter words of his stepmother Dhruva forthwith left the place and went straight to his mother and related to her his grievances. Suniti advised her son who was only five years old to make Tapas. Dhruva did not lose time but left home to make Tapas as directed by his mother. Nârada met him on the way. "Thou art a child Dhruva" said the great Rishi. "How is it possible for thee to find out Him by Tapas, Who is attainable by intense Yoga concentration and freedom from passion practised for several births. Desist my boy, for the present. Try, when thou hast enjoyed all the things of the world and hast grown old". But Dhruva was fixed in resolve and he importuned Nârada to teach him how to meditate. Nârada initiated Dhruva into the mysteries of the Mantra "Om Namo Bhagavate Vâsudevaya", told him how to meditate on Vâsudeva and asked him to make Tapas at Mathurâ where Bhagavân permanently resides. Dhruva passed his days in austere asceticism, standing on one foot and living on air. The prince at last controlled his breath and with deep concentration saw the Divine Light in the heart. Bhagavân withdrew that Light from the heart, and on the break of Samâdhi, Dhruva found the same Divinity outside, standing before him. Words he had none for a time. Bhagavân addressing him said: -- "O Thou Kshatriya boy! I know thy resolve. Do thou ever prosper. I give thee a place which is ever bright and where Nirvana is constant. The planets and stars are all attached to that place. Those that live for a Kalpa will die, but that place shall never be destroyed. Dharma, Agni, Kasyapa, Indra and the seven Rishis with all the luminaries of the sky are constantly revolving round the place. Thou shalt succeed thy father on the throne and reign for 36,000 years. Thy brother Uttama shall disappear in a forest. Thy stepmother Suruchi shall die in pursuit of her son. The place where thou shalt finally go is my own abode, higher than that of the Rishis, and there is no return from it."