Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/132

126 on his knee. Queen Suruchi entered the room, and furious at the sight, gave Dhruv a push so that he fell over backwards. Prince Dhruv pleaded that he was King Uttanpad's son just as much as Uttam was. But Queen Suruchi grew very angry and bade him go and pray to the gods. For until they pitied him and let him be born again as her son, King Uttanpad would never take him on his knee again.

Little Dhruv went to his mother Suniti and told her what had happened. Suniti told him to pray to the god Krishna. So little Dhruv said that he would go into the forest and pray to Krishna and when he had done so he would return and tell her. But once he had entered the forest he prayed and prayed and prayed so that he never thought of returning, and lived on roots and water. And as he prayed years passed by until the god Krishna, pleased with the boy's devotion, revealed himself and offered him a boon. "Take me with you, O Lord, back to heaven," said Dhruv. "No," said Krishna, "that cannot be. You have yet to go to your father's country and reign over it and bring it happiness. In due time I shall send for you." Dhruv consented. And the god Krishna sent the great sage Narada to lead him back to his father's town. Narada took the prince's hand in his and led him back to King Uttanpad's city.

For many years the king had mourned for Dhruv as one long dead. But when Narada sent word to him that Prince Dhruv had returned, the king made great preparations to welcome him. Seated in a golden howdah carried by the king's own elephant and shaded by the royal umbrella, Prince Dhruv was borne back to his father's palace. And as he passed through the streets, all the maidens, peep-