Dhruva Returns Home By Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakur

When the King heard that his son was coming back, as if returning from death, he could not believe it. How can a rascal like me have such good fortune? But by dint of his having faith in the words of Narada, he believed it. Overwhelmed with an outburst of joy, and feeling greatly pleased, he gave a valuable necklace to the bearer of the news. Eager to see his son, he hastily came out of the city, riding his gold ornamented chariot which was drawn by fine horses. The King was surrounded by elders of the family, ministers and friends, and he went accompanied by the sounds of conches, drums, and flutes, and the chanting of the Vedas. His two queens Suniti and Suruci, ornamented with gold, mounted a palanquin along with Uttama, the King’s other son, and also went out. Seeing his son Dhruva approaching near a grove, the King who had been longing for him for a long time, breathing heavily, immediately dismounted from his chariot and approached the boy. Overwhelmed with affection, he embraced his dear son who had destroyed unlimited sins by receiving the touch of the Lord Vishnu’s feet. His greatest desire fulfilled, the King smelled his son’s head again and again, and bathed him with cold tears. Bowing to his father’s feet, and receiving blessings of mantras, Dhruva, the foremost among good men, was welcomed. He then bowed to his two mothers with his head. Suruci raised the boy up when he fell at her feet. Embracing him, she said with a choked voice and tears, “May you live long!”

Just as water flows naturally to a lower level, all living beings naturally offer respect to that person with whom the Lord is pleased, because of his qualities and universal friendliness. Overwhelmed with affection, Uttama and Dhruva embraced each other. Their hairs stood on end and torrents of tears appeared. Embracing her son, dearer to her than her life airs, Suniti, his mother, gave up her grief and was satisfied by touching his body. Milk constantly flowed from her breasts, which were sprinkled with her tears. She was the mother of a hero. The public praised the queen saying, “By good fortune, your son, the destroyer of suffering, has returned after being lost a long time. He will protect the whole earth. You must have worshiped the Supreme Lord, destroyer of his devotees’ suffering, meditating on whom the wise have conquered all-powerful death.”

Whilst being praised, the joyful King placed Dhruva, adored by the people, along with his brother, on an elephant and returned to his city. Every door was decorated with arches, erected overhead which had shining makaras engraved on them. The doorways were also decorated with banana trunks with buds and flowers and young betel trees. Over the doors were hung mango leaves, cloth and strings of pearls and the entrances were decorated with water pots and lamps. Everywhere the city was ornamented by having walls, gates and houses covered in gold, and it shone with beautiful domes and spires. The yards, highways, watchtowers and roads were washed and smeared with sandalwood and covered with offerings of raw rice, fruits, flowers, barley grains and fused rice.As they saw Dhruva approach on the road, the chaste women of the city scattered white mustard seeds, barley, yogurt, water, dūrva grass, flowers and fruits, while uttering blessings out of affection. While hearing beautiful songs Dhruva entered the house of his father.

From then on Dhruva lived like a devatā in the heavens. He was hrupampered constantly by his father who situated him in the best of houses, covered with valuable jewels. In that house there were valuable chairs, golden furniture and ivory beds which were white like the foam of milk and covered with gold. There were jewel lamps embellished with bejeweled figures of women, shining on crystal and emerald walls. There were pleasant gardens with colorful, heavenly trees, filled with singing couples of birds and buzzing, intoxicated bees. There were lakes with cat’s eye staircases, filled with lotuses, blue lotuses and white lotuses, inhabited by swans, ducks, cakravakas and cranes.

Uttanapada, sage among kings, seeing and hearing the great influence of his son, felt great wonder. Seeing that Dhruva was mature, approved by the ministers, and beloved of the citizens, the King made him king of the earth. Considering his advanced age, the King, reflecting on his goal in life, became detached and entered the forest.

— From Sārārtha-darśinī commentary on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam » Canto 4: The Creation of the Fourth Order » Chapter: 9. Dhruva Maharaja Returns Home » Verses: 37-67 by Srila Vishvanātha Cakravartī Thakura.