Sage Narada

Introduction

A holy personage and celestial musician, always facilitating the good of the world; engaged in aiding the pious in times of challenge and in hastening the retribution of evil-doers. Traversing the three worlds, he spread the Path of Devotion to the Lord. Figuring in all major epics, he led many noble souls to salvation.

Narada

"Keep your army as well as the weaponry always in readiness... Be kind to your servants in order to win their hearts.... Always be prompt in paying the wages of the soldiers and servants. Never spend more than what you earn. Build lakes and canals and provide the farmers with all facilities."

Don't the above words seem like the advice of a modern political pundit to a senior administrator of a state? Army, weaponry, income-expenditure, farmers, lakes and canals - who is it that gave the above counsel?

It was indeed Narada, who is generally considered as a quarrel-monger and a talebearer.

The wise words quoted above were addressed by Narada to king Yudhishthira, in the epic Mahabharata.

The name of saint Narada is well known. Narada appears in every 'Purana' (ancient epic-tale). There is not a religious discourse or pouranic play or Yakshagana without the entry of Narada. No story is complete without Narada! Without Narada the story fails to sustain interest.

Usually Narada makes his characteristic entry with a Veena (stringed musical instrument in his hand and the name of Lord Narayana on his lips. He appears in the stories pertaining to all the three yugas, namely - Krita, Treta and Dwapara.

Narada's True Intention

The word 'Nara' means knowledge useful to mankind and 'Da' means 'a giver'. So 'Narada' means the one who gives useful knowledge to mankind and guides it in the right path.

Narada was a first-order musician. He always loved to sing songs praising the glory of the Almighty. It is said of Narada that he was the inventor of the musical instrument Veena. He played on his Veena, which was named "Mahati." Among the 'Devarshis', Narada is one of the holiest.

He commanded the respect of all. It was his habit to travel and to go round preaching to people, uttering his words of wisdom and telling people stories carrying an ethical message. He was loved by all - be it Gods, Demons and human beings.

He had one weakness - that of disclosing to both gods and demons, the secrets about each other. Gods and demons, naturally, hated each other. Narada's deeds often created trouble and friction among gods, demons and men, and such friction often led to a war in the end! Hence Narada acquired the name, 'Kalahapriya' or the lover of quarrels.

How can we call such a person a saint? Was it right that he set people against one another by spreading gossip? But we must remember that Narada's intention was to espouse a good cause. It was his constant desire that bad people should bepunished for their deeds, that the haughty ones should learn their lesson soon, and that the good should live happily.