Dhruva and Ashtavakra

The story of Dhruva is taken from the Bhagawat Purana. Dhruva was hardly five years old when he observed severe penance to win the favour of Lord Narayana (Vishnu). The Lord was pleased with the faith of the child. He appeared before the child and told him that he would rule the earth for 36,000 years and thereafter occupy a very important place in heaven. Even to this day the Pole star is referred to as 'Dhruva Nakshatra' by tradition-loving Hindus.

According to the Vishnu Purana, Dhruva Nakshtra occupies a significant position in the cosmos; it is placed at the tail of the porpoise-like celestial sphere with Lord Narayana at the centre and as it revolves it causes the sun, the moon and the stars to revolve too.

The story of Ashtavakra is taken from the Mahabharata. While in exile, the Pandavas visited a number of holy places. When they reached the hermitage of Shvetaketu, Sage Lomasha who was accompanying them told them the story of Ashtavakra, the nephew of Shvetaketu.