Narad
had renounced the world and wished to merge into the supreme consciousness. He therefore,
made mountain Himalayas his abode and spent
his time in meditation alone. Goddess Ganga
flowed near his hermitage, ensuring her worthy son of her protection and
motherly care in the moments of need. The Mother Nature, being conscious of all
and everything, fully supports and sustains her pious children in their
altruistic endeavours. Narad basked in the sunshine, bathed and frolicked in the
river and ate whatever nature provided him. He lived with faith and longed to
liberate his soul from all mundane bondages. Seeing his determination to attain
liberation, lord Indra got anxious. He felt deprived and dejected. Thus moved
by the austere Narad he called his chief stalwarts Kamdev and Basant to tempt and
swerve the meditating sage Narad. The twin most mighty stalwarts of lord Indra,
who rule over mind of all beings, appeared around Narad. The ambience in the
hermitage of Narad underwent a drastic transformation. Trees got laden with
flowers that spread sweet and intoxicating fragrance. The creepers laden with
flowers and fruits twirled firmly around the gigantic trees. The birds and
insects began to sing songs of love and the entire nature began to resonate
with musical lore. The streams of water rushed forth, forming into galloping
rivers, inundating their shores as if mad to merge with the ocean. Narad
rejoiced in the colourful swings of mood of mother nature.
No
desire to seek a conjugal partner touched his heart that felt ever non-chalant
to sense pleasures. His longing was only celestial bliss. The twin stalwarts
kept on trying their best of gimmicks to divert the continent mind of
meditating Narad. Even when prettiest of nymphs danced around Narad, he did not
open his eyes and remained steeped in the meditation on the supreme consciousness.
Thus, not finding him interested in any sense pleasure, the army of Lord Indra
ultimately bowed before sage Narad and retreated in disappointment. Narad felt
elated and chanted names of lord Hari and got up. He was ebullient over his
victory over lord Indra. His full control over his sense organs made him feel
that he had won over all mundane temptations and attractions. Believing so, he
began to roam all around chanting only names of Hari and feeling completely blasé
to mundane pleasures.
As
he, by virtue of meditation over Hari gained power to move in the cosmos freely,
he reached Brahmalok and bowed before his father lord Brahma. “How are you, my
son?” Asked his father Brahma. “Father! Blessed by you I am now completely free
from all worldly bonds. I meditated at mount Himalaya
and by the grace of Sri Hari, was not moved a bit even when hordes of celestial
nymphs tried their level best to attract me, singing and dancing all around. Rejoicing
only in chanting Lord Hari’s sweet names, I remained indifferent to them.
Finding me lost completely in Lord Hari, they all faced disappointment and turned
away realizing my spiritual status ….” Narrated the triumphant son of Lord
Brahma. Brahma was also pleased to hear the lofty story of his son’s grand feat
over sense pleasures. He however, aware of history of all such masters began to
smile. His smile irked the valiant Narad. “Father! Why do you smile at me?” Are
you not proud of your son? What man in this entire creation can proclaim victory
over celestial nymphs? Everyone knows that in the past even Lord Shiv was
swayed by the glamour of Mohini after the event of sagar manthan. Your son has
surpassed even lord Shiv in austerity….” Proclaimed Narad his unparallel
status. Brahma thought for a while and then said,-‘Son! I am immensely proud of
you. But just give you a piece of advice. Never publicize your spiritual
attainments before anyone. Mind it seriously, for you are yet a novice….” As
the father counseled so, his comment belittled the self-esteem of ebullient son
Narad, who thought within his mind, - ‘Father seems to be jealous of my feat
for he too, had been defeated by Kamdev long back in the past. That’s why he
possibly said so to me. True, no person in this world is devoid of jealousy
that may be even a father, like lord Brahma’. Thinking so, proud Narad thought
of fathoming the attitude of lord Shiv to his victory and flew to Mount Kailash.
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He
bowed to Lord Shiv and mother Parvati and sat down. The affectionate divine
parents welcomed the enthused son and asked about his well being. “Lord Shiv
and mother Parvati! With your grace I am now free from all mundane bonds. No
worldly attraction can bind my mind anymore. I meditated over Sri Hari at the Himalayas for long. My mind is now completely filled with
the remembrance of God and god alone. Even the mammoth army of Kamdev could not
swerve me a bit and went away after saluting me. I feel so blessed at this.
This world has ceased to exist for me, for my only joy lies in the supreme
self.” Hearing him say so, Lord Shiv said,-“Naradji! You are no doubt a great
soul, worthy of veneration by us for it is almost impossible for any man to win
over Kamdev. You have created history by showing such self control and
continence.” Hearing such praise Narad thought. ‘Lord Shiv is indeed purer and
more generous then my father lord Brahma.
At least he is not
jealous of me as my father appeared to be.’ While he thought so, Lord Shiv
being a seasoned spiritual master smiled within for he knew that the entire
cosmos is controlled by one single master who makes each individual dance to
his own tune. No one can dare defy the
supreme Lord. One becomes enmeshed in mundane affairs at the will of the supreme
lord and then becomes a renunciant only at the will of the supreme lord. If the
supreme lord wills anyone to fall, no being can remain established in the supreme
consciousness. Lost in such discriminative analogy, lord Shiv also said,-“Narad!
You are now fully free. You deserve such freedom and honour. Where do you
intend to go now?”
“Lord! Having received your blessings I
intend to see Lord Hari and mother Lakshmi in Vaikunthalok.” Narad said with ease
for he was sure that Lord Hari would give him a welcome better then the two
lords he had met so far. Narad bowed to offer salutations to lord Shiv. As he did
so, Lord Shiv whispered,-“Narad! Please do not narrate this feat before Lord Hari.”
Narad was a bit confused. This repetition of the same piece of advice as given
earlier by Lord Brahma confounded him. ‘Why did Lord Shiv say so?’ Narad could
not understand. How can an innocent spiritual master who is ever established in
supreme wisdom and dispassion, say so? Narad could not comprehend. Thus,
swinging between conviction and confusion, he, after bowing in the feet of lord
Shiv and mother Parvati, flew to Vaikunthalok where he was ushered in by the
attendants of Lord Hari in a matchless way. Seeing him entering there, Lord
Hari rose up and came forward to embrace Narad. Finding lord Hari behaving so
respectfully, Narad thought within. ‘How generous and all knowing is lord Hari!
No one gave me such hearty treatment as he has given me. Truly he is the best
of the three lords, managing this world!’ Lord Hari made Narad sit with him and
washed his feet himself. “Lord Hari I am your son only. Why do you treat me
with such respect?” Asked an elated Narad.
Lord
Vishnu spread a smile and said,-“Sage Narad! You have attained such lofty
spiritual height that I find myself inferior to you in all respects. What man
including us three lords has the continence to defeat lord Kamdev for even we
three feel incomplete without our consorts besides us. This is the supreme
victory that you have attained. I therefore, bow in front of you.” Said lord
Vishnu with utmost sincerity and devotion. Narad was even more joyous and effused
heartiest praise on lord Vishnu,-“Lord Hari! You are indeed matchless in three
spheres. No one can be as fair and as generous as you are! Even deities do not
have the purity of heart that you possess.” Thus he eulogized lord Vishnu, for
the kind of praise and treatment he received in Vaikunthalok was unparallel.
Having
received certification for being the single conqueror over Kamdev, sage Narad
sang glory of lord Hari and took leave of him.
Narad was now a single and unique sage,
who had been honoured even by the three master managers of the world. His joy
knew no bounds. What to do now? What was there to attain after having attained
the supreme spiritual status? Such a riddle is life as it keeps confounding all
under all circumstances. Narad thought, ‘let me take a round of the creation of
lord Hari and see what is going on where….’.
Intending so, he descended on the earth
and began to walk in insouciance. Various scenarios amused him and some
scenario of burning pyres, wailing relations, people suffering from various
ailments and quarrels hurt him. Such is the drama created by lord Hari that no
one can change the role assigned to one by the lord Hari, he realized. Thus
lost in thoughts he reached a wonderful land where all of a sudden he found
everything extremely calm and soothing with no sign of suffering of any kind.
The land was beautiful, peaceful and
prosperous in all respects. ‘This must be ruled by some great soul as there is
no sign of suffering of any kind anywhere here. All are beautiful, decent, healthy,
peaceful and self disciplined’. He began to think within. Just then one
graceful man approached him and said,-‘O sage Narad! What a pleasant surprise!
You are such a matchlessly lofty saint! Indeed blessed are we that we are
enriched by your presence amidst us. Please usher in, lord. You purify the
three spheres by your presence. How fortunate are we all!” Narad was pleased to
receive such warm welcome. After lord Vishnu it was this land only, which gave
him such reverential treatment behoving his spiritual status.
The
hospitable gentleman took him to the palace revealing that the princess of the
land was going to have her swayamvar. Narad was a bit thrilled to hear
the news and wished to see the princess. He found this all so overwhelmingly
wonderful. The king named Sheelnidhi and his queen honoured sage Narad and
implored him to read the palms of their daughter named Shrimati to know as to
what kind of husband she was destined to have. Narad was full of learning and
wisdom. As he was made to meet the beautiful princess, he felt greatly elated.
The beauty of the girl defied the beauty of even Goddesses Lakshmi and Parvati.
The sage found the girl extremely glorious and attractive. As he began to read
her palms, he was amazed. The girl had such amazing sings and lines of fortune
as it took Narad no time to infer that her husband would be the ruler of three
spheres and certainly invincible to all. Narad kept on gloating at her face and
forehead. Her forehead radiated brightly and reaffirmed the prophecy made out
by Narad after reading her palms. Narad began to think within,-‘God is great.
Lord Vishnu had rightly hinted that even he feels incomplete without his
consort. Man becomes complete only when he has the right consort besides him.
This opportunity is surely a grace of god only, for Lord Vishnu himself
pronounced me as above all in austerity and spiritual wisdom. Behind every
event and opportunity taking place in life the cosmic ruler has some purpose,
not knowable to ordinary mortals but clearly comprehensible by the enlightened
souls. This girl should be my consort as I am a single and unique conqueror
over Kamdev accepted by the three main managers of the world’. But the thought
that he was there to read her future and not declare his own future plan soon
crossed his mind and he turned turtle. Narad kept the idea to himself. “Lord
what is her future?” asked the anxious mother of the girl. Narad had to expiate
her somehow so he said,-‘Mother! Your daughter is no ordinary mortal. She is
the incarnation of mother Lakshmi in all respects. Her husband would be the
single ruler of three spheres and invincible to all.” Hearing such prophecy,
the king and queen showered flowers over the prophet. They gave him the most
courteous treatment over which Narad was filled with further hope and
aspiration. Receiving such veneration, such blessings from his parents -in -law
in disguise, in a way intoxicated him. Soon he finished the formalities and
rose up from his seat.
Lord! What is the hurry? Please stay with us till the ceremony is over.”
Implored the king. Narad could not divulge his wish and plan with his apparent
personality. He therefore, just said,-“King! You are blessed. Do not worry. I am
a rover and can not stay at one place for such a long period. Please allow me
to move on.” Saying so, he took leave and came out of the palace. Narad was
physically out of the palace but his mind and heart had already been lost to
the beauty and fortune of the most enticing princess. He longed to have her as
his consort, believing this to be the divine plan of the Almighty. Taking the
entire episode to be meant for him alone, he flew to Vaikunthalok. In no time
he found himself in front of lord Vishnu and mother Lakshmi. He bowed before
them and said,-“Lord! As advised by you, with your blessings I have found a
girl who is equal to me in all respects. I wish to be her husband. Pleas bless
me for this.”
Lord Vishnu smiled and said,-‘Wonderful!
Naradji. Man is always incomplete without his consort as I already told you
when you visited me. I am always there to help you. Tell me what you expect of
me, please.” “Lord please give me the personality of Hari for a while and take
away the personality of Narad,” he said eagerly.
“Fine! Naradji. This is nothing difficult. You are now Hari
incarnate. Please go and do not waste time.” Said lord Vishnu assuringly.
Thanking lord Vishnu a million times,
Narad flew at will and found himself seated in a golden throne with all other suitors
awaiting arrival of the princess in the magnificent golden palace that defeated
the prosperity of even Swargalok. Fully confident for having been blessed by
Lord Vishnu and having been praised by the trinity for his spiritual status,
suitor Narad sat in his golden couch calmly. Not an iota of doubt flashed in
his mind about the perfection of divine plan in his favour. How can one who is
declared a winner by the Trinity even dream of a possible fall in life? So was
the suitor Narad shining brightly amidst other mortals. As the time passed,
Narad began to compare himself with his rival kings who looked to him ordinary men
who had no comparison with him in any manner for he was the certified and
honoured conqueror over Kamdev, possessing personality of Hari. Lakshmi could
choose only Hari and no mortal, he knew very well.
Thus fully composed and confident of his
imminent feat, continent sage Narad waited for his Lakshmi to garland him to be
his consort. After all, nothing is impossible for one who is blessed by the
three lords. So the prospective groom was there waiting for his matchless
bride.
The moment of the precious moments
arrived. The princess accompanied by her prettiest friends appeared in the
palatial hall. As the precursor ray of the sun moulds the darkness of horizon
into the copper light, so did the faces of all the suitors who had been reeling
in the murk of nervousness, yet twinkling occasionally with the hope of winning
her, turned expectant with aspiration. The musicians played on their
instruments the music to set the stage for the event. The talented ladies sang
the melodious songs. The youthful maids attending on the princess, showered
flowers on her path and bowed before the prospective grooms to honour them all.
The princess glided along the floral path holding a floral garland in her tender,
decorated hands. Her gaze to scan the eligibility and worth of her suitors regulated
the throbbing of their hearts. As her anklet bells rang and stopped near a
suitor, so did the heartbeats of all others would as if come to a halt. Such
was her charm that almost all suitors were dying to be chosen by her but for
the celestial suitor Narad who was sure and certain of his feat in the fray.
As soon as she reached near Narad the
confident sage craned his neck expecting the garland in her hand to be round
his neck. But see the irony of fate, the bride smiled to see him and threw a derisive
glance at him and moved ahead, shattering the dreams of the groom in a single
moment. The groom was aghast. His eyebrows quivered and face turned red in awe.
How could an ordinary mortal girl dare reject a spiritual master certified as
the greatest by the trinity? He began to boil within. When expectations are not
met, none can contain the wrath and annoyance to full extent. Some flare up
fast, some wait patiently and some calmly plot to take the ditcher to task at
an appropriate time. The unfulfilled wish invariably causes turmoil and turbulence
in the mind. So was here sage Narad feeling unreasonably let down and fully beside
him.
To his dismay even the ordinary suitors
seated around, looked at him and exchanged sardonic smiles as if mocking him.
Some distant sitting suitors even dared jeer at him with their looks and
smiles. Finding himself at the centre of such humiliation by all, Narad began
to seethe with anger. All his spiritual wisdom fled. To his dismay, he found
the princess still throwing repeated glances of ridicule and rejection to him. As
the lava springs up off the mouth of a live volcano, so did infuriated Narad
got up and rushed out of the premises. He had no sense of place and time. The fire
of a thwarted desire had consumed him up, leaving him reduced to a heap of
ashes. Aroused to such an ire and disappointment, Narad began to stroll here
and there, his mind failing to decide as to what was there to be taken up and
how to ventilate the blazing wrath of his dejected, shattered heart.
For long, he seared and smelted in the fire
of having been taken for a ride by the supreme master of the creation. As the
time spontaneously erases all marks of suffering once allowed to let go, so
with the passage of passing few turbulent moments of heavy commotion, Narad regained
sense of time and place. He now wished to know the reason of having been rejected
in such an insulting manner. Suggested by the mind, he moved to the lake
shining with calm, transparent waters in front of him to have a glimpse of his
appearance. As he peeped into the lake to see his face, his eyes failed him
altogether. There was no sign of grace or even trace of Hari. What his eyes
grasped was a grotesque countenance of an ugly contemptible monkey! Heavens came
rolling down over him as he witnessed the glimpse of his appearance in the
water. Poor Narad fell down and the whole world sank for him. Such repulsive
was his glimpse that even he could not withstand it. How could the glorious
princess think of choosing an ape for her life mate? How could she be blamed
for his rejection? Then who was the root of this fiasco? O It was none other
than the smiling Lord Vishnu who had honoured him so much and assured him of
his support in winning her! Now he could clearly see the culprit who had taken
him for a ride in such a scathing and debasing style. Narad wished to either
finish himself or to remove Lord Vishnu from his position. Thus lost to sheer
shame, anger and self - pity he rolled on the shore of the lake, still shining
with glistening calm waters, still unaffected by the turbulence seething in the
mind of the sage.
.
How could he show such loathsome and repugnant appearance to any one on the
earth? How and why he had lost his graceful looks, he knew not. His wrath and
frustration was at the peak when he found the bestower of boon of appearance of
Hari coming towards him with the floral garland put by the bride around his
neck. To add insult to injury the lord Hari looked perfectly blissful with the
princess who had rejected Narad walking beside him with a perfect smile,
displayed over the lips of the couple. Narad wished to vanish from there in
shame but he forgot all his yogic powers and stood there as a missile ready to
target lord Hari, the bride groom of the princess.
“You! You lord Hari! How dare you take me
for a ride so? You made me a butt of ridicule in front of all kings! Such
brazen ness! such treachery! O none can match you in cunningness, lord Hari. I
worshipped you, leaving behind all temptations and pleasures of the entire
world. You only blessed me to be invincible to all human weakness and yet it is
you who dared belie all my spiritual attainments and show me such moments of
humiliation and mockery! What do you think of yourself? Is there none above you
to teach you a lesson? Mind Lord Hari! This Narad is no ordinary mortal! I
right now curse you that the way you made me suffer for a wife you too shall
undergo equal suffering for your wife. And listen no one would come to help you
except the creatures with this ridiculous face that you have bestowed upon me to
humiliate me. Understand lord Hari! Is this the personality of Hari?” pointing
to his face of a monkey curse after curse billowed from the raging heart of
Narad.
“Indeed. Sage I gave you the personality
of a Hari only that suited the occasion.” Replied Lord Hari calmly. Realizing
the other meaning of the same word Narad shouted,-“Hari means monkey also but
could the face of a monkey got me the bride I wished for? Don’t you know even
this much?”
As Narad went on unleashing his frustration
Lord Hari kept on accepting all abuses calmly. Seeing Narad not coming to stop,
lord Hari took Narad in his embrace and closed his eyes. As Narad found himself
in the embrace of lord Hari, his turbulent mind became as calm as an ocean
becomes after a tide. He too closed his eyes. The fire of anger turned into
water streaming from the eyes of sage as he regained his wisdom and peace.
The wisdom dawned upon him that
lord Hari was there to rescue and enlightens him only. He became mum and numb. No
word could express his anguish and regrets. Lord Hari showered him with
affection and spoke in a serene voice,-“sage Narad! You are always honourable.
None can belittle you, not even me. I created this illusion only for receiving
your curse. I honour your curse. Surely I too shall undergo separation from my
wife Sita in the future and receive help from monkeys to kill daitya Ravan in
Tretayug.” Such mellowed expression of lord made Narad thawing to such self
pity and such loft veneration to his lord that he fell in his feet which lord
Hari did not let happen and held Narad in his embrace like a big brother taking
away all tension and burden of his younger brother. “Lord! What was the need
for this drama..” asked sage Narad even though enlightened by lord Hari.
“Naradji! I organize everything with a
purpose. My purpose has been fulfilled as I show the world how great are my guileless devotees to me and
how I honour my simple devotees. I protect them all the way as a caring mother
takes care of her toddler. Swayed by the attraction to a girl you rushed to win
her as moth hover around flame and loose their life. How could I see you falling in the same pit after
defeating Kamdev and thus allowing you to soil all your spiritual attainments?”
the explanation melted Narad into a stream of
divine love and wisdom to lord Hari. He was still a conqueror of Kamdev
not just certified in words but in practice too.
