By: Ramaswamy Seshadri
It was in 1915. Devotees were looking forward to a great ‘Hari Katha’ performance. Das Ganu Maharaj had not disclosed the topic of his Hai Katha. There were discussions and suggestions among close devotees. Baba also kept quiet.
Kaka Dixit arrived along with a Doctor from Mumbai. He offered his obeisance to Baba by mentioning his name as ‘Dhruva Narayan’. Immediately Baba asked Das Ganu Maharaj to select the epic tale of Dhruva, son of King Uttanapada, in the Shrimad Bhagavata, which contains a wealth of wisdom for all times.
Das Ganu Maharaj in his ‘Pravachan’ depicted a five-year-old Dhruva, a child seeking solace through a simple gesture – attempting to sit on his father’s lap, King Uttanapada. Das Ganu Maharaj stated that little did he know that this seemingly innocent act led to events that shaped his life. His gesture was met with cold rejection from Queen Suruchi, known for her arrogance and status as the king’s favorite consort.
In a moment of ruthless cruelty, Suruchi declared Dhruva as unworthy of a seat on his father’s lap, solely because he was born to an ‘unfortunate’ mother. This harsh rebuke stemmed from Suruchi’s deep-seated envy towards Suniti, Dhruva’s mother, a queen neglected by the King.
Das Ganu Maharaj pinpointed Suruchi’s words reminding us of the ruinous power of envy within relationships. Envy has the potential to inflict painful emotional wounds that can persist. Sai Maharaj’s mandate was to exercise restraint in our words and actions – the principles essential to preserving harmonious relationships.
The situation grew even more disheartening when King Uttanapada, someone with the authority and capability to intervene and resolve the matter, opted to remain silent in the face of Suruchi’s verbal attack. This silence, driven by his excessive attachment to this queen, highlighted a critical lapse in judgment and a failure of responsibility.
Insensitive behavior within family relationships can leave lasting scars on the impressionable minds of the young. Dhruva found himself overwhelmed by emotions – anger, pain, and then frustration. Coping with such an emotionally charged situation was difficult for a five-year-old. His cries of anguish and smoldering resentment ultimately led him to his mother, Suniti, who awaited his arrival in her palace, surrounded by servants. Opulent palaces, luxurious amenities, and numerous attendants are of little value when the people we hold dear remain indifferent to our suffering. Suniti was in that very situation.
However, as a wise woman and an exemplary mother, Suniti quickly sensed Dhruva’s disappointment and the vengeful thoughts he harbored toward his stepmother, Suruchi. Recognizing the graveness of the situation, she offered him much-needed emotional support, indicating its importance in nurturing enduring relationships.
Empathy, as powerful as it can be, found its true strength in Suniti’s actions. She understood Dhruva’s emotional turmoil and made it a priority to cleanse his impressionable heart of overwhelming negativity. While empathy is a cornerstone of healthy relationships, it should extend beyond comprehension to guide individuals toward finding solutions. In short, she advised him not to harbor any hatred in his heart but to seek the shelter of the Divine instead, to fulfill his desires. This is what Sai Baba wanted his devotees to practice.
Suniti’s wisdom served as a beacon, leading Dhruva on a voyage of personal growth and spiritual enlightenment. Her guidance vividly illustrates the transformative potential of empathy, devotion, positive emotional redirection, and hope. Her character eventually transforms her husband and Suruchi as well.
With his Mother Suniti’s blessings and guidance, Dhruva received Vishnu’s rare boons in just six months.
Baba appreciated Das Ganu’s ‘Pravachan’ and concluded that Dhruva’s story reveals a combination of expert guidance and unwavering determination that is sure to yield lasting success.
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