[3] The Sanskrit term dhruva nakshatra (ध्रुव नक्षत्र, "polar star") has been used for Pole Star in the Mahabharata, personified as son of Uttānapāda and grandson of Manu, even though Polaris at the likely period of the recension of the text of the Mahabharata was still several degrees away from the celestial pole.

Once, when Dhruva was five years old, he saw his younger brother, Uttama sitting on his father's lap at the King's throne.

Suniti - being of gentle nature and now the lesser favorite wife - tried to console the distraught child, but Dhruva was determined to hear of his fate from the Lord himself and set out to perform austerities in the forest.

Noticing his resolve, the divine sage Narada appeared before him and tried to desist him from assuming a severe austerity upon himself at such an early age.

But, Dhruva was determined and the sage guided him by teaching him the rituals and mantras to meditate on when seeking lord Vishnu.

The one mantra which Narada taught and which was effectively used by Dhruva was Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.

Pleased by his tapasya, Vishnu granted his wish and further decreed that he would attain Dhruva-pada: the state where he would become a celestial body which would not even be touched by the Maha Pralaya.