The story of Dhruva comes from the Puranic traditions, especially the Vishnu Purana and the Bhagavata Purana. It is, at once, a metaphysical story, as well as a story of devotion, recounted most simplistically.

Once upon a time, there was a boy called Dhruva, who wanted to sit on his father's lap. But when he tried to do so, he was pulled down by his stepmother, who insisted that only her son could sit on the father's lap. She was, after all, the king's favourite. Dhruva's father did not protest and let Dhruva be driven away.