SAGE NARADA's PURVA JANMA

Sage Narada 's Purvajanma

On the pleasant banks of Saraswathi river sage Narada met the sage Vedavyasa who looked depressed and sad. He told Vyasa that after codifying the Vedas, the Upanishads and the Puranas and the itihasas he is still dissatisfied. That is because he has not written on the effect and greatness of bhakthi or devotion to the Lord. Sage Narada himself had experienced the efficacy of intense devotion that brought a very great metamorphosis in his previous birth! Vyasa was wonderstruck at this and wanted Narada to describe his experience during his previous birth. Narada explained that there is nothing greater than undiluted intense devotion to the Lord!

Narada recounted his story during the previous kalpa. He was the son of a sudra woman working in the ashram of sages. A number of rishi came to the ashram to stay there for 'chaturmasya’-a period of four months to perform austerities.The boy, 5 years young, was deputed to look into the needs of the sages. He was unlike the normal children. He was not playful but highly reserved. He endeared himself to the sages by his conduct and care that he bestowed on them. An incident that changed his course of life happened at this stage! One day he ate the remnants of the food left by the renowned sages. To his astonishment his heart become pure and all his sins vanished! He lost himself in the stories narrated by the sages. He became mad after Lord Narayana. He realized the impermanence of the physical body. He contemplated on the Lord day in and day out.Thus through this meditation he got rid of the two qualities of rajas and tamas the impediments to spiritual progress. All the sages,having completed their four months of ‘chaturmasya’ left the ashram.The boy could not bear the separation from the sages and broke down shedding tears profusely. Being compassionate, they taught him how to reach the truth and be an ideal disciple.They advised him to offer all his acts to God. He should perform all actions without expecting any reward. He should always fix God in his heart and follow the bhakti marga.

After a few days, while working in the ashram, his mother was bitten by a snake and died. But the boy did not feel sorry. He was free now. He thought that the impediment for his  spiritual progress was removed! He  left the ashram and went northwards crossing dense forests and mountains. Totally tired and thirsty, he drank the sweet waters of the river nearby and sat in padmasan for meditation. In that deep meditation he had a vision of Lord Narayana for a split second. He lost himself in that great bliss and soon came back to his own self.Then he heard a very friendly and sweet voice which said  “you cannot see me in this birth but you will reach me finally. You have loved me with pure heart because of the good company of the sages.You can live with me for ever. You shall remain even after Pralaya or the deluge. You are dear to me.” From then he started singing on the Lord and wandered from place to place.

Time for his departure came and he shuffled his mortal coil. He went towards the Lord sleeping on the ocean. Along with the breath of Brahma, he entered him. When the creation started he was born with Marichi and other sages as the creator’s son. The Devas presented the Veena Mahati by name. From that time Narada  travelled all over the world singing the glory of the lord.” I see the Lord’s form whenever I sing in his praise. I enjoy indescribable bliss in seeing his form”  said sage Narada to the astonished Vyasa who listened to him with rapt attention!