Unlike the image of a mischief-monger sage, the research on Devarshi Narada presents him as one of the most trustworthy trouble-shooter and a back-biter as also a divine sage-the embodiment of righteousness and pathfinder for moksha, liberation. He is mentioned in the Vedas, Brahmasutras, Upanishads, Mahabharata and Puranas. Even Dr. B. L. Raina in his book “Legends and Teachings of the Greatest Hindu Divine Sage : Narada” quotes Lord Krishna saying in Bhagavad Gita : “I am Narada among the Divine Sages.”( 10:26 ) This statement places Narada in the category of the Greatest Divine sages, as Sri Krishna is the embodiment of the Supreme Being. Of course, Dr. Raina does advise that many aspects of Narada’s life and teachings require scrutiny. For instance, was there one Naradaa alone or several? The Naradaa of the Upanishads cannot be the same as the Narada of the Puranas.
Narada Muni or Devarshi Narada has been a popular mythological character of Indian mythology. He remained in limelight among Gods and demons for being a communicator who was loved and respected by everyone alike. Narada is the most potent and omnipresent communicator in almost all Indian scriptures, says Prof. B. K. Kuthiala, the Vice Chancellor of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication located at Bhopal, the state capital of Madhya Pradesh. “If one accepts the ancient Indian scriptures as the narration of reality, Narada emerges as a key figure giving shape to the events of the future. Even if one is not able to believe in the reality of the ancient Indian civilization, the existence of ancient literature is an indisputable factor. Even if this literature is fiction, it is a wonderful collection of innovation and functional creativity where Narada is a major player.”
Prof.Kuthiala has an important observation to add : “ All Europeans who studied one or a few scriptures in isolation could not comprehend the real character of Narada and those of us who followed Europeans’ interpretations also projected him as a person who creates tensions and differences between different kings and kingdoms. But later scholars, who studied Narada in totality, find him not only a great communicator but also a person totally committed to the welfare of entire humanity.”
Narada’s profound devotion to Lord Krishna appears to have been the motive for his deep interest in music. He invented the Veena, lute, to sing the glories of Krishna. He was initiated into music by his father Brahma during the period he was taught Vedanga. He is described as an outstanding dancer and singer. Apart from that he is expected to have received the knowledge of Ayurveda, the science of life, from his father Brahma and Dhanvantari, the Vedic God of medicine, who was pleased with his dance and song performance.
Dr. Raina, who is considered to be an authority on studies of Narada, served in the Army Medical Corps(1940-’56) and was pioneer in the field of population and the family planning movement. He served as the first Director of Family Planning of India apart from his service to UN and WHO. Dr. Raina has calculated the dates of Devarshi Narada. He writes : “The earliest reference to Narada is in Rigveda(c 2000- 1500 BC), the two Upnishads(Chandogya Upanishada, c 900 BC to 500 BC and Naradaparivrajaka Upanishad) later than Chandogya Upanishad and Mahabharata (c 500 BC).The period of Narada Pancaratram is generally placed around the sixteenth century, Narada Purana and BrihanNaradaiya Purana around the sixteenth or seventeenth century and Vishnu Purana as 100-300 AD. The Narada Dharmashastra or Narada Smriti are also about the same period(100-300AD).”
A great thinker, Devarshi Narada, roamed the world over in different past. His legends are many and varied and they have been preserved by sages and scholars and promoted by bards. Modifications, alterations and additions were made to them. Narada was very conscious of the nature of human beings,their beliefs and faiths and their levels of development. Regarded as the ‘mind’ of God, Narada would always anticipate what God was planning. He had access to any Deva(God) or Danva(Demon). Narada played the part of a divine messenger to perfection. He was always on move with his Veena and kept abreast with everything going on with the human, Devas and Danvas or Rakshasas. His teaching was always addressed to all group of people. The main teachings of Narada are “ to be good and to do good” .
Narada was considered a Bal Brahmachari( a confirmed bachelor forever).There various legendary tales about his wish to marry. Narada began planning how he could get Lord Vishnu’s glory. He went to Vishnu and prayed for a face resembling Hari to look most handsome for the Princess Swayamvar so that she would pick only him. Vishnu granted his wish. Unfortunately, Narada did not know that Vishnu’s other name, Hari, also meant a monkey. When Narada went to the assembly of all the kings and princes, he walked in knowing that he was the most handsome of all the princes and was sure that the princess would certainly choose him. To his utter shock, she came to Narada and laughed at him. She gave the garland to Vishnu ! When Narada looked in the mirror or water, he saw he had the face of a monkey. He was so furious that he cursed Vishnu.
Heard K. S. Sudarshan, the late chief of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh( RSS), talking about Devarshi Narada, considering him as the first ever journalist and communicator who would gather unbiased information from Trilok of the universe, some 17 years back in Gujarat when this writer had invited him for a public function. He pleaded to follow Narada as an ideal who was acceptable to both Devas and Danavas. The very next year i.e. in May 2002, Vishwa Samvad Kendra(VSK), run by the followers of RSS ideology, organized the Narada Jayanti celebration at Ahmedabad, inviting the then Chief Minister
Narendra Modi as the chief guest, calling for the photo-frame of Narada from this writer’s home. After that it became a national event. Now almost every VSK organizes a yearly event as Patrakar Diwas(Journalist Day) and gives away Narada awards to journalists in recognition of their positive journalism. Dispassionate selection and narration of events, an image of full trustworthiness and commitment to overall societal welfare are the three traits that any journalist today would aspire to acquire. Narada can be an ideal role model. It would be appropriate to dismantle the distorted image built around Narada of being perpetuator of quarrels and dissent and give adequate place to him according to his deeds and intentions.
Next Column : Early Arrival of Islam in Southern India
( The writer is a Socio-political Historian. E-mail : [email protected] )
