Three.

 Dhruva, Prahlāda, and Chandrahasa.

They belong to different streams of our sacred lore, yet together they form a complete arc of bhakti, kṣamā (forbearance), and anugraha (divine grace).  first their stories in brief, and then offer a comparison that reveals their inner unity.

1. Dhruva – Bhakti born from hurt, ripened into wisdom

Dhruva was only a child, wounded by rejection. Denied his father’s lap and insulted by his stepmother, he ran to the forest—not to protest, but to seek God.

Guided by Nārada, he performed intense tapas, fixing his mind solely on Śrī Viṣṇu. His devotion was not soft or inherited—it was forged in pain.

When the Lord appeared and offered him any boon, Dhruva realized the smallness of his original desire.

“I searched for broken glass, and I have found a priceless gem.”

Dhruva accepted kingship, but more importantly, he attained steadfastness—becoming the Pole Star, a cosmic symbol of unshakable faith.

Dhruva,s Devotion that begins with personal sorrow but matures into selfless realization.

2. Prahlāda – Bhakti untouched by fear or reward

Prahlāda’s devotion was unprovoked, unlearned, and unshakeable. Born to Hiraṇyakaśipu, the fiercest enemy of Viṣṇu, Prahlāda loved the Lord not because of suffering or desire—but because bhakti flowed naturally through him.

Torture, ridicule, poison, fire—nothing touched him. Not because he resisted, but because he surrendered completely.

When Nṛsiṁha burst forth from the pillar, Prahlāda did not rejoice in his father’s fall. He prayed for his father’s liberation.

Unlike Dhruva, Prahlāda asked for nothing. 

Prahlāda,s Bhakti that is spontaneous, fearless, and free of personal motive.

3. Chandrahasa – Grace that transforms hatred into royalty

Chandrahasa’s story comes from later purāṇic and regional traditions, especially in South India and Karnataka.

As a child, he was repeatedly plotted against—poisoned, abandoned, and framed for murder. At every turn, fate reversed itself. A death sentence became a coronation, because a royal order meant “give him the sword” (Chandra-hāsa) was misread as “give him the sword of coronation.”

Chandrahasa never sought revenge. His forgiveness disarmed his enemies. Eventually, even those who tried to destroy him were redeemed through his compassion.

Unlike Dhruva or Prahlāda, Chandrahasa is not known for tapas or theology—but for absolute trust in dharma and destiny.

Chandrahasa,s Grace that flows when one neither retaliates nor resists fate.

 Three Paths, One Truth Aspect

Dhruva Prahlāda Chandrahasa

Starting with Hurt & rejection Innate devotion

Orphaned, betrayed Inner quality Determination

Fearless surrender Forgiveness Response to suffering Tapas Steadfast bhakti Silent endurance

Divine intervention Viṣṇu appears Nṛsiṁha emerges

Fate turns miraculously

Dhruva teaches us that even impure motives, when directed to God, are purified.

Prahlāda teaches us that pure bhakti does not need refinement—it only needs protection.

Chandrahasa teaches us that when ego disappears, destiny itself bows.

Together they answer a profound question.

Does God test us, or does He reveal us?

Dhruva was tested by desire.

Prahlāda by fear.

Chandrahasa by injustice.

All three passed not by strength—but by alignment with dharma.

Dhruva stood firm,

Prahlāda stood fearless,

Chandrahasa stood forgiving.

One sought God and found Him,

One knew God and never lost Him,

One trusted God and was carried by Him.