By John Jones, senior Dru Yoga Tutor
This article is written in response to the requests of many Dru Yoga students for more information about the background of Dru Yoga, and its origins in the cult of Vaishnavism of northernIndia.
In the sun-drenched fields and orchards a few miles from the River Yamuna and the ancient town ofVrindavanin Uttar Pradesh, there is a small raised wooded area no more than a few square kilometres in size that is the last remaining remnants of theMadhuvanForest.
This tiny relic of ancient woodland is one of the most sacred sites to the Vedic cult of Vaishnavism (worshippers of the Hindu deity, Vishnu.) For it was on this spot that Dhruva, whose life and feats of yoga gave rise to the practice of Dru Yoga, and established his place in Vaishnava history.
In spite of the fact thatMadhuvanForestis now surrounded by cultivated land and is tiny in relation to its once extensive size, it is today still teeming with wild birds, butterflies, and insects, and is home to more than a few yogis living in small stone ashrams with thatched roofs and cow-dung floors.
The forest also contains a recently refurbishedDruTemplethat commemorates the place that Dhruva practised yoga and celebrates his accomplishing the realisation of the highest goal of yoga. It is said that Dhruva uniquely accomplished self-realisation while still a child because of an unshakeable determination and innocent faith in the teaching of his mentor, Narada Muni. In fact, Dhruva’s name means literally “unshakeable” or “immovable” and describes the extraordinary force of will that enabled him to achieve great feats of yoga at a young age.
Legend has it that Dhruva was the son of a regional maharaja but left his father’s palace and took to a life of renunciation and yoga practice because he was rejected by his father in favour of his stepbrother.
After achieving self-realisation, Dhruva lived as a yogi in Madhuvan forest before taking over his father’s throne and ushering in a golden age of peace and prosperity to that region ofIndia.
After his death, the Pole Star was given his name and is still known inIndiaas the Dru Star because like Dhruva it remains constant and stationary whilst the rest of the heavens revolve around it.
This region ofIndiacontains many sites sacred to the cult of Vaishnavism and is known as the Vraja Mandala. Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, was born in nearbyMathuraand grew up spending his early years in the Vraja Mandala.
Many of the sacred sites associated withKrishna’s early life remained lost for many centuries but were rediscovered in the sixteenth century by followers of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Lord Chaitanya sent six of his closest followers from Bengal to Vrindavan with the express purpose of uncovering the historical sites ofKrishna’s childhood and establishing temples and memorials so that these places should never be lost again. It was Lord Chaitanya’s followers who preservedMadhuvanForest, and established the first temple to Dhruva. It is their descendants and the followers of the cult of Vaishavism that still preserve Dhruva’s memory inMadhuvanForesttoday.
It may come as no surprise that Dru Yoga, which brings peace and wellbeing to so many people worldwide, has its origins in a land which spirituality and inner peace are paramount.