Purāṇas · c. 3rd-5th c. CE
ऊर्ध्वोत्तरमृषिभ्यस्तु ध्रुवो यत्र व्यवस्थितः । एतद्विष्णुपदं दिव्यं तृतीयं व्योम्नि भासुरम् ॥ ९८ ॥
The space between the seven Rishis and Dhruva, the third region of the sky, is the splendid celestial path of Vishńu (Vishńupada). — H.H. Wilson (1840; public domain)
A named sky-REGION rather than a star: the zone above the Saptarṣis (Ursa Major) containing the pole. Attested in four recensions in near-identical wording. Homonym caution: Viṣṇupada is also a lake on Mt. Niṣadha (Matsya 121, Brahmāṇḍa 1,18.67).
Viṣṇu Purāṇa 2.8.98; Matsya Purāṇa 124.112; Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa 1,21.176; Vāyu Purāṇa 50.221 · text · translation