Narada Purana

By B.K. Chaturvedi

Puranas are almost like an encyclopaedia listing the human achievements in this part of the world till the time they were edited or compiled. In every cycle of time the master editor called Vedavyas emerges to edit, vet and compile these records. Their significance is enormous even in the present, as they give a peep into the distant past of Hindus when the world was evolving and the psyche of the race was being formed. These Puranas record the arguments that make us to decide as to what is holy and what is vile; what is good and what is bad. By going through them we can compare our present day jurisprudence vis-a-vis the ancient norms. Apart from that, they are a huge store-house of information conceiving every subject under the sun. It is with the view of unearthing these gems that the present series of the puranas has been planned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diamond Books
• Release date: Dec 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9788128828126

Book preview

Preface

In the list of the Mahapurana, the Narada Purana comes at no. six. Why it is a Mahapurana is explained by its fulfilling the following conditions of being a Mahapurana. They are five: its text must describe the original process of creation (Sarga); the periodical process of destruction and recreation (Pratisarga); the different Manu-Eras (Manvantaras); the histories of the solar and lunar dynasties and the royal genealogies (Vansha-charita). This way Narada Purana does describe these five topics and meets the condition.

The Narada Purana is not a very long Purana. The original text contains twenty-five thousand couplets. Sometimes the Purana is also referred to as Naradiya Purana. Obviously, it is said ‘Narada’ Purana because it is recited by Narada himself after hearing it from Sage Sanaka.

This Purana comes in the category of the Sattvika Puranas because it describes the glories of Lord Vishnu and that of his incarnations. In fact, all the eighteen Puranas are divided into three groups of six each. As is well known The Hindu Trinity’ consists of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiv. But why the Purana that glorifies Vishnu is held Satvika and the ones that glorify Brahma Rajsika and Shiv Tamasika? It is because among the three Super Gods, this faith believes that maintenance of creation or its sustenance is the most difficult job. For, after making the creation a self-continuing process, Brahma seems to lose his relevance. Shiv has to destroy all that outlives its utility. So the grand job of picking and choosing the right entity is accorded the greatest significance. Hence Vishnu is held to be supreme who descends from time to time to ‘repair’ the creation should it go unrighteous. Hence the first Shloka in every Purana is as follows:

"Narayanam namaskritya naramchaiva narottamam!

Devim Saraswatim Vyasam tato jayamudirayet"

[(Prior to reading the sacred text) one should pray to Narayana, Nara and Saraswati.]

This couplet itself signifies the importance of Lord Vishnu whose manifestations were the sages Narayana and Nara. Saraswati’s name is taken because without her grace no one can study any text as she is the Goddess of Learning. The term used in the couplet ‘Jaya’ initially meant the Mahabharata but subsequently the Ramayana and the Puranas were also included in its definition.

This Narada Purana has come to us when Sutaji recited it before all the seers and sages in the holy ‘teertha’ of ‘Nemisharanya’. Although Sutaji’s father, Vaishampayana, is said to be sage Vedavyas’s arch disciple, his name appears to be allegorical because Sutaji means ‘Sutradhara’ in Sanskrit which literally means the narrator. Hence he is the person who is said to be the narrator of all the sacred texts. This position of the narrator appears to be symbolical like that of Vedavyas. Vedavyas literally means the diameter of the circle of the Vedas and symbolically it means the person well-versed in all the Vedic knowledge.

This Narada Purana derives additional significance because it tells not only about the religious principles and moral dictates but also about various other branches of knowledge like grammar, jyotisha (astrology) etc.

This work gives the essential knowledge as revealed by this great Mahapurana. It is by no way a translation of that sacred text but gives the culled essence of this great work whose relevance is ever-lasting. Lastly, the compiler of it wants to share the gratitude he feels for Shri Narendraji of Diamond Books who provided all help and freedom to him to present this great work to the modern readership. It is hoped that like the other Puranas of the same series, it will also be accorded a warm welcome.

—B.K. Chaturvedi

Introduction

Once in the holy teertha (spot) Nemisharanya there took place an assembly of the holy men. It was a huge gathering attended by celebrated hermits, philosophers, metaphysicists, seers and sages and they seriously deliberated on the following four topics:

Which are the holy regions or teerthas on this entire earth where a man’s welfare may be ensured?

Which is the simple method to be adopted through which the distressed beings can ensure their redemp-tion from divine, physical and spiritual afflictions?

What is the best way of achieving unswerving devotion of Lord Vishnu?

How can a man achieve his aim while routinely discharging his mundane duties?

All the sages and seers gave their opinion on the issues. Finding wide difference in their opinions, in order to establish a consensus, sage Shaunak suggested that since Maharaja Sutaji was the most renowned authority on scriptural knowledge, he should be referred to. He was son of the great sage Lomaharshana¹ (Romaharshana) and arch disciple of Sage Vedavyas. He said, We must get his opinion on these issues and go to his Siddhaashrama where he is meditating.

Accepting his proposal, all the high sages proceeded to that holy Ashrama. Sutaji welcomed them very reverentially and after they had some rest, he asked the reason of their arrival. The curious sages redefined their queries and asked his opinion on the following issues:

What is the best way to propitiate Lord Vishnu, the master of all the realms and the sustainer of the entire creation?

What should a man do to achieve final attainment from life and death cycles?

How does the devotion to Lord influence a devotee’s conduct and what should be the ideal conduct of such a devotee?

How should the guests be welcomed?

What is the rationale behind various stages of life (Ashramas like Brahmacharya Ashrama etc.) and the caste system?

Pondering over these questions the great saint Sutaji advised all of them that in order to get satisfying answer to these queries, recitation of the Narada Purana should be undertaken since this holy tome "is the destroyer of all the sins and afflictions, nightmares and worries and the bestower of both enjoyments in life and final release of the soul from these worldly travails. In fact, a serious study of this Purana ensures man achieving all his ambitions in the spheres of Dharma (righteous and dutiful conduct), Artha (resources for achieving the worldly targets), Kama (fulfilment of all the mortal and sensual desires) and Moksha (the final release). The listening and reading of this Purana is so efficacious that the most heinous crimes like killing a Brahmin, drinking liquor, copulation with the wife of one’s Guru, eating prohibitive things and going to a harlot get automatically removed. Even the most lowly and impious person Can be redeemed by reading this Purana."

Further elaborating on how, when and where should It be listened to or recited he said: The ideal place to do so is Mathura. After religiously worshipping Lord Krishna, following the bath in the holy river of Yamuna, especially on the full moon day, if one listens to it, one gets absolved of the punishment to one’s sins committed in one’s lives. Then the person gets over the legerdemain of Maya and earns a place in the holiest of holy heavens called Vaikuntha.

At the same time he also warned the assembly: This contains a very holy and secret message for everyone and hence it should be studied by only the most faithful. Those who do so without a pious and curious feeling, who carries an ill-will for Brahmin, cow and God, who indulge in the deceitful practice must not come near its recitation for they may perish eventually. The Purana describes in the most enchanting manner the ‘leelas’ (mortal doings) of Lord Krishna listening to which one may develop total aversion for the wordly pursuits and long for one’s coalescence with the Supreme Lord, Vishnu."

Nevertheless, this Purana is self-purifying but it should be recited only at a pious spot like a temple or place of worship. The narrator should be a pious Brahmin well versed in the Vedas and having good conduct. The listener should heed it with rapt attention and with a guileless heart. There should be no demonstrative aspect about it. The atheist who neither believes in God nor in the holy scriptures should not be allowed to read it. These Puranas had been created by Holy Sage Vedavyas for various beings’ personal welfare. It is with great faith and devotion that this Narada Purana should be read or recited. Its faithful hearing is a surest way of achieving one’s ambition in all the four spheres viz. ‘Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha’ and ensure one’s soul’s final release from the travails of metempsychosis.

1. Also Called Vaishampayana

First Section

Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatan and Sanat Kumar are said to be the four psychic sons of Creator Brahma. Once, before going to Brahma’s court, they were having their holy dip in the celestial river Bhagirathi. There they happened to meet the great sage Narada. Since these four sages were elder brothers of Narada by divine chronology, after their bath and worship, Narada reverentially paid his obeisance to them. Then he said: "O Lords! You know the three sections of Time like the back of your hand. You are eternal existences and this way lords of this entire universe. I wish to be enlightened by your grace. I have certain queries whose answer I seek from you all. These are:

What is the real form