Friday, April 24, 2009

Sage Narada, the Possessor of Devine Virtues

Once Lord Krishna worshipped sage Narad in Mahi-sagara-sangam. There king Ugrasena asked Him: “O Lord of the world, Sri Krishna! Why is Sage Narada exceedingly fond of you?”
Lord Krishna said: “O King! I always eulogize Narada of divine vision by means of the hymn pronounced by Mahendra. Listen to it, O King:

‘I bow down to that Narada who has been born from the lap of Brahma, who has no arrogance due to learning or good conduct, but whose learning and good conduct are well-known. I bow down to that Narada who has none of these defects absence of interest, anger, fickleness and fear. He is composed and free from (habitual) procrastination. I pay obeisance to that Narada who does not change his word (once uttered) either due to lust or to covetousness and who is conversant with the principles and goal of spiritual endeavour, who is forbearing, powerful and straightforward, who has conquered his sense organs and who speaks the truth.

‘I bow down to that Narada who is full-grown and venerable in respect of splendour, fame, intellect, prudence, humility, birth and penance, whose conduct and dress are pleasing and whose diet, behaviour, eyes and utterance are good, who is tirelessly engaged in altruism, who has no sin, who is enthusiastically engaged in bringing good to others, who always abides by the duties enjoined in the Vedas, Smritis and Puranas Puranas and who is free from (i.e is above) either pleasure or displeasure, who is uninterested in food stuffs and other things, who is learned, who is never idle, who is a Brahmana of vast learning, who has never erred before in respect of wealth, anger and love and by whom these defects has been eliminated, who is devoid of the defect of infatuation and fascination, who has unwavering devotion to God and Bhagawat dharma, whose moral policies are supreme and who is of a reserved disposition, who is never contaminated by contacts, who is eloquent and who has no prolonged doubts, who never finds faults with any scriptural text, whose life is a personification of penance, who never spends his time with recollecting God and who always keeps his mind under control.

‘I salute that Narada who puts in great efforts, who exerts his intelligence, who is never satiated with concentration and meditation and who never errs in his efforts, who does not become elated by the acquisition of wealth, who does not become dejected on account of non-acquisition, who knows the proper occasions and is conversant with all good qualities, who is efficient, pure and unafraid, who knows the proper occasions and is conversant with good policies.’

“Everyday I recite this hymn of Narada, O King. Therefore, the excellent sage has great love for me. If any other person too remains pure and repeats this prayer everyday, he will ere long attract great favour of the celestial sage.”

Through this eulogy of the celestial sage Narada, the Lord presents the ideal virtues of devotees. Such is the glory of a devotees, becomes dear to them and imbibes their virtues as well. Recollection and talking about a devotee and his virtues purifies the heart and brings good to the world.

Naradji, who has the good of all living beings in his mind, helps those who are desirous of progressing on the path of God. it is impossible to assess how many and in what manner beings have been transported by him to the Lord’s pious feet. He is ever engaged in guiding the devotees and inquisitive seekers and in the good of saintly souls who desire to attain liberation in life. Our crores of obeisances at His feet!

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