STORIES FROM SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 10 - THE STORY OF NARADA

    This story about Narada’s birth and his previous life was told by Narada himself to Vyasa.

In his previous life, Narada was the son of a poor servant-maid. When he was a boy, he was sent to serve some wandering Yogis (ascetics). I did service to the sages and they were very kind to me. Daily, I would hear with rapt attention, the delightful stories of Sri Krishna from these sages. In the company of these holy men, and by hearing the Lord’s stories daily, I developed great liking and devotion to the Lord and my mind got firmly established in him. When the sages were about to depart, they imparted the most esoteric wisdom about the Lord to Narada.

After the sages left, the boy continued to stay with his mother. One day, his mother died of snake bite. The boy had no other relations. He left home in a northerly direction. After crossing cities, villages, mountains and rivers, he reached a dense forest. He sat under a Peepul tree and meditated on Sri Hari. After intensely meditating for a long time, the boy was blessed with a momentary vision of the Lord in his heart. The Lord told the boy, “Through the services you have rendered to the sages and by listening to my glories, your mind has been fixed on me. In your next birth, you will attain the position of my own attendant. The thought you have fixed on me shall never cease.”

In his next birth, Narada became the mind-born son of Brahma. Having been blessed by Sri Hari with uninterrupted remembrance of God, he moves about unhindered all over the three worlds, playing on the Veena given to him by the Lord Himself, and singing the Lord’s glories.

Srimad Bhagavatam says that Narada is an Avatara of none other than Maha Vishnu Himself:

तृतीयमृषिसर्गं वै देवर्षित्वमुपेत्य स: ।

तन्त्रं सात्वतमाचष्ट नैष्कर्म्यं कर्मणां यत: ॥

tṛtīyam ṛṣi-sargaṁ vai

devarṣitvam upetya saḥ

tantraṁ sātvatam ācaṣṭa

naiṣkarmyaṁ karmaṇāṁ yataḥ

SB 1.3.8

 

Word by word meaning: tṛtīyam — the third one; Rishi-sargam — the millennium of the ṛṣis; vai — certainly; devarṣitvam — incarnation of the Deva Rishi upetya — having accepted; saḥ — he; tantram — exposition of the Vedas; sātvatam — which is especially meant for devotional service; ācaṣṭa — collected; naiṣkarmyam — selfless / nonfruitive; karmaṇām — of work; yataḥ — from which.

Translation: The third incarnation of the Lord in the form of Devarṣi Nārada, who is a great sage. He collected expositions of the Vedas which deal with devotional service and which inspire selfless action.

It was on Narada’s advice that the great sage Vyasa composed Srimad Bhagavatam. Once, Vyasa felt a great feeling of depression coming over him. “I have studied and categorized the Vedas and written the Mahabharata which teaches everybody about Dharma. I have been blessed with uncommon knowledge. In spite of achieving all this, it appears that I have not realized my true nature (oneness with God or Brahman).” While Vyasa was sadly reflecting thus, Narada arrived at his Ashrama (hermitage). Seeing Vyasa’s dejection, Narada asked him the reason. Vyasa told him what was troubling his mind and requested Narada to point out a remedy.

Narada advised Vyasa, “O Sage, although you have accomplished so many great things, you have failed to sing adequately the glory of Sri Hari (Maha Vishnu). Concentrate your mind and recall the great deeds and glory of the Lord. No evil can ever befall one who adores the lotus-feet of Sri Hari.”

Vyasa followed Narada’s advice and composed a great work recounting the exploits and glory of the Lord. It is thus that Srimad Bhagavatam or Bhagavata Mahapuranam came into being. This sacred work tells the stories of the Lord in his various Avataras. Especially, the Lord’s Avatara as Sri Krishna is dealt with at great length.

The story was first told by Sri Hari Himself to Brahma. Later, Brahma narrated the story in brief to Narada and told Narada, “I have told you the story of the exploits of the Lord in brief. You now expand upon it.” Narada then told the divine story to Vyasa. In turn, Vyasa composed the Bhagavatam and expounded it to his son Suka.

Sage Narada is known to never stay in one place. He is always roaming the three worlds. This is actually the result of a curse received by Narada. Here is the story of how it happened. Daksha Prajapati was given the responsibility by Sri Hari of populating the world by begetting children. Heeding the Lord’s command, Daksha, through his wife Asikni (also known by the name Panchajani, as she was the daughter of Panchajana), begot ten thousand sons. Their father Daksha commanded them to go forth and increase the population of the world. However, Narada came along and gave an inspiring discourse to Daksha’s sons about Moksha (God-realization). Thus inspired, the ten thousand sons of Daksha took to ascetism and turned away from the worldly life.

Daksha was filled with sorrow at this. Consoled by Brahma, he once again begot a thousand sons through Panchajani. He directed them to beget children. However, this time too, Narada filled their minds with a burning desire for Self-realization. Like their brothers before them, these sons of Daksha too shunned the world and sought God-realization alone.

Angered by this, Daksha cursed Narada, “O wicked one, you are responsible for breaking the continuity of our race. I curse you that you will have no halt anywhere, and you will ever wander through the spheres.” This curse was accepted cheerfully by Narada. It is on account of this curse that we find Narada turning up all of a sudden where he is least expected!

It was Narada who taught Dhruva the most sacred Dvadasakshari (twelve-syllabled) Mantra “Om Namo Bhavagate Vasudevaya,” and advised him to worship and meditate upon Sri Hari while repeating this Mantra. Dhruva earned eternal renown and a unique place in the universe as the Pole star by following Narada’s advice and propitiating the Lord.

Have you ever wondered how the boy Prahlada, despite being born in the Asura race as the son of the evil Hiranyakasipu, was among Sri Hari’s greatest devotees? Again, we have Narada to thank for this. Once, Hiranyakasipu left for the Mandara mountain to practice Tapas (austerities). Taking advantage of his absence, Indra and the other Devas attacked the Asuras. The frightened Asuras fled in all directions to save their lives. Indra even seized the queen (Prahlada’s mother). Narada saw her trembling with fear and crying. Narada told Indra, “Let go of this innocent lady, who is another’s wife.” Indra replied, “Our enemy Hiranyakasipu’s child is in her womb. Let her be in my captivity till the child is born. I shall then kill the infant to wipe out the Asura’s race.”

Narada said, “O Indra, the child in her womb is not only sinless, but a great Bhakta (devotee) of Lord Vishnu. He cannot be killed by you.” At these words of Narada, Indra released Prahlada’s mother with great respect and left her in the care of the sage. Narada told her, “My daughter, do not be afraid. Stay in my Ashrama (hermitage) till your husband returns.” She agreed and stayed in the Ashrama, serving the sage with utmost devotion. The compassionate sage instructed her about Dharma (essence of religion, righteousness and duty) and Jnana (pure wisdom). He taught her that unalloyed Bhakti (devotion) to Sri Hari is the highest interest and goal of man. Prahlada was fortunate to hear this teaching by sage Narada even when he was in his mother’s womb, and it stayed in his memory ever since.

We all know about the evil Sisupala, who had nothing but abusive words for Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna had given a promise to Sisupala’s mother that He would forgave Sisupala’s abuses a hundred times.  When Sisupala exceeded this number, the Lord put an end to the villain with his Sudarsana Chakra. Srimad Bhagavatam says that Sisupala attained Moksha by being absorbed in the Lord Himself. King Yudhishthira asked Narada in wonder, “How this did evil fellow, who had been speaking vile words about the Lord all his life, attain Moksha by getting absorbed into the Lord?” Narada explains that the Lord is so merciful, that as long as one fixes one’s mind on Him – whether through devotion or even out of hatred, enmity or fear – one will attain absorbtion into the Lord. The following two Shlokas capture the essence of Narada’s explanation:

 कामाद् द्वेषाद्भ‍यात्स्‍नेहाद्यथा भक्त्येश्वरे मन: ।

आवेश्य तदघं हित्वा बहवस्तद्गतिं गता: ॥

kāmād dveṣād bhayāt snehād

yathā bhaktyeśvare manaḥ

āveśya tad-aghaṁ hitvā

bahavas tad-gatiṁ gatāḥ

SB 7.1.29

Word by word meaning: kāmāt — from lust; dveṣāt — from hatred; bhayāt — from fear; snehāt — from affection; yathā — as well as; bhaktyā — by devotion; īśvare — in the Supreme; manaḥ — the mind; āveśya — absorbing; tat — of that; agham — sin; hitvā — giving up; bahavaḥ — many; tat — of that; gatim — path of liberation; gatāḥ — attained.

Translation: Many persons have attained liberation simply by thinking of Sri Krishna with great attention and giving up sinful activities. Their thought may be fixed on the Lord due to lusty desires, hatred, fear, affection or devotion.

गोप्य: कामाद्भ‍यात्कंसो द्वेषाच्चैद्यादयो नृपा: ।

सम्बन्धाद् वृष्णय: स्‍नेहाद्यूयं भक्त्या वयं विभो ॥

gopyaḥ kāmād bhayāt kaṁso

dveṣāc caidyādayo nṛpāḥ

sambandhād vṛṣṇayaḥ snehād

yūyaṁ bhaktyā vayaṁ vibho

SB 7.1.30

Word by word meaning: gopyaḥ — the gopīs; kāmāt — out of lusty desires; bhayāt — out of fear; kaṁsaḥ — King Kaṁsa; dveṣāt — out of envy; caidya-ādayaḥ — Śiśupāla and others; nṛpāḥ — kings; sambandhāt — out of kinship; vṛṣṇayaḥ — the Vṛṣṇis or the Yādavas; snehāt — out of affection; yūyam — you (the Pāṇḍavas); bhaktyā — by devotional service; vayam — we; vibho — O great King.

Translation: My dear King Yudhiṣṭhira, the Gopīs [always remembered Sri Krishna through]  desire, Kaṁsa through fear, Śiśupāla and other kings through envy, the Yadus through their familial relationship with Kṛishna, you Pāṇḍavas through your great affection for Krishna, and we, the general devotees, through our devotion, have obtained the mercy of Sri Krishna.

Many of us are familiar with the episode during Sri Krishna’s childhood when Yashoda ties Him to a pestle as a punishment for being naughty. Once his mother’s back is turned, the child Krishna walks into the yard behind their house, dragging the pestle behind him. He passes between two Arjuna trees growing close to each other. The pestle gets stuck between the two trees. Sri Krishna tugs at the rope by which he is tied to the pestle, and lo – both the trees get uprooted and fall to the ground with a mighty crash!

Two beautiful youth emerge from the trees. They bow to Krishna saying, “Hail, O Lord, for redeeming us. We are two Yakshas – sons of Kubera – who were cursed for our sin by sage Narada, as a result of which we were turned into trees. Now we have been redeemed by You.”

Here’s how they came to be cursed by Narada. The two sons of Kubera – Nalakubara and Manigriva by name – were vain and lustful. Once, under the influence of wine, these two – in the company of some women, were sporting and singing loudly in a most shameless manner in the river Mandakini. Narada happened to pass by, and saw them in this state. Mindless of the great sage’s presence, the two foolish brothers continued with their shameful behavior. Narada pronounced a curse on them for their own good. “You will be turned into trees and remained rooted to one spot for a hundred celestial years. After that, you will be redeemed by Lord Vasudeva and acquire Bhakti (devotion) too.” In accordance with Narada’s words, the two of them spent a hundred celestial years as trees, repenting their sinful ways, till they were redeemed by the Lord.

Another incident involving Narada is told in the Bhagavatam. When Sri Krishna killed the demon Narakasura, it was found that the Asura had forcibly captured 16,100 Kshatriya maidens and confined them in his palace. These maidens mentally prayed to attain Sri Krishna as their spouse. Answering their prayer, Sri Krishna had them all sent to Dwaraka. With this addition to his eight principal consorts, the Lord had 16,108 consorts.

Narada felt eager to know how the Lord lived with all his consorts. Full of curiosity, he visited Dwaraka. He found a row of 16,000 [and odd] similar palaces – one for each consort! Entering one of them, Narada saw the Lord seated with Rukmini. On seeing the divine sage, the Lord immediately rose from his seat and installed Narada on His own seat. He washed the sage’s feet and sprinkled that water on His head.

On entering another consort’s mansion, Narada was astonished to see the Lord here too, playing dice with His consort. Here, too, on seeing the sage, the Lord stood up, offered him a seat and worshipped his feet. On entering a third mansion, Narada saw Sri Krishna fondling his infant sons. In yet another mansion, he found the Lord at his daily worship, and so on.

Full of wonder, Narada prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, I have now seen your wonderful powers of Yoga. Pray, give me leave to go.” The Lord replied:

ब्रह्मन् धर्मस्य वक्ताहं कर्ता तदनुमोदिता ।

तच्छिक्षयन् लोकमिममास्थित: पुत्र मा खिद: ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

brahman dharmasya vaktāhaṁ

kartā tad-anumoditā

tat-shikṣayan lokam imam

āsthitaḥ putra mā khidaḥ

SB 10.69.40

Word-by-word meanings: śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Lord said; brahman — O brāhmaṇa; dharmasya — of Duty; vaktā — the speaker; aham — I; kartā — the executor; tat — of it; anumoditā — the sanctioner; tat — it; śikṣayan — teaching; lokam — to the world; imam — in this; āsthitaḥ — situated; putra — O son; mā khidaḥ — do not be disturbed.

Translation: The Lord said: O Brāhmaṇa (Narada), I am the speaker of Dharma, its performer and sanctioner. I observe religious principles to teach them to the world. Therefore, my child, so do not be disturbed.

Thus, the Lord practices what He preaches. When He is in the role of a householder, He Himself teaches the world, through His own example, about the Dharma (duties) of the householder.

There are several other great works associated with sage Narada. The Narada Purana is one of the eighteen major Puranas. This Purana is in the form of a dialogue between Narada and his brother Sanatkumara, in which Narada explains to Sanatkumara, a number of esoteric truths like the origin of the universe, the geography of Bharatavarsha, the story of Markandeya, different Vratas, Yugas, Tithis, and so on.

Narada is the author of the Narada Bhakti Sutra, in which he explains the path of Bhakti (devotion) to Vyasa.

The Narada Pancharatra, compiled by Vyasa, it is an explanation by Lord Siva to Narada on transcendental knowledge. 

May the blessings of divine sages like Narada be upon all.