On Narada Bhakti Sutras – 15
6. FROM MARKANDEYA PURANA:
Narada happened to go to Indra’s court at a time when the celestial damsels Rambha and others were giving a dance performance. After a while Indra enquired from Narada as to whose performance was like best by him. Narada responded by saying that the performance of that girl who danced with passion, emotion and agility was the best. The dancers were debating within themselves as to who did better, when Indra intervened and requested Narada to declare the winner. Narada announced that that girl who could excite the Sage Durwasa would top them all. A damsel by name Vapuvu accepted the challenge.
7. FROM BRAHMAVAIVARTA PURANA:
The sons of Daksha were about to commence creation. Narada met them at that time and directed them to work for liberation instead of getting stuck with the cycles of birth and death. He successfully dissuaded them from creation. Coming to know of the role played by Narada, Daksha complained to Brahma. Daksha then cast three spells on Narada – that Narada would take birth in the womb of Daksha’s daughter, he would be a wanderer without a stable place of stay and he would not have a wife.
Daksha married his daughter Priya to Brahma. Narada was born to her. Brahma instructed Narada to expand the creation. Narada refused to carry on with creation saying that he could not immerse himself in the worldly affairs, and he had no attachment to the worldly objects. Brhama was annoyed and cursed him that he would take birth in a poor household and would be a womanizer. Later out of sympathy, he suggested a remedy by saying that he would turn out to be a devotee to Vishnu by coming into contact with a brahmin. Angered by the curse cast by Brahma, Narada cursed Brahma that Brahma would not get protecting armor for his shoulders.
8. FROM MAHABHARATA:
Narada and his nephew Parvata were wandering around the three worlds. They had mutually decided to reveal to each other whatever they felt in their heart without hiding anything. If anyone of them was found to be secretive, they agreed to be cursed by the other. They visited the kingdom of Srinjaya in their wanderings. The king assigned his daughter, Sukumari to attend to both of them. Narada had a crush on her. But he was ashamed to reveal it to Parvata. Parvata came to know of this and cursed Narada that his face would take the form of a monkey after Narada married her. Narada was angered and cast a counter spell on Parvata saying that the latter would lose the privilege of visiting Nakaloka. Narada requested Srinjaya for the hand of Sukumari and married her. In course of time, Narada and Parvata met each other and annulled their curses. Sukumari could not recognize Narada as he lost the face of a monkey and his normal face was restored. Parvata intervened andto assured Sukumari that Narada was her husband.
After spending some time in Srinajaya’s place, they wanted to do some good for him before they left him. So they asked him to express what he desired. Srinjaya said humbly that there was no gift to be received by him greater than having the grace of both of them. Narada blessed him that he would beget a son greater than the gods. Parvata said immediately that the son’s lifespan would be very sort. King Srinjaya was saddened by this prediction. Narada expressed his sympathy. He said to him that Indra would kill his son; but he assured him that he would make him alive again if he invoked Narada. After a time, Srinjaya got a son. The son’s drools, saliva etc. turned to be gold. So he was named Suvarnashthivi (Gold-spit). Some thieves expecting all gold inside him killed him and cut him open. Srinjaya appealed to Narada to remedy the tragic incident. Narada brought him back life. Indra became jealous of him. So Indra consulted Brihaspati for advice. Indra sent his weapon in the guise of a tiger when the boy was roaming around in a forest. The tiger killed the boy. Narada once again brought the boy back to life.
[NOTE: There are many paThAntara-s (alternate versions) of our mythologies and epics. The versions popular in almost each state of India differ from one another. My Father’s work was done in late 20s (First Edition in 1930s). Sorry, I therefore, cannot tell which version or how many versions he abstracted the stories from. What cannot be doubted, however, is none of them are concocted and must be available in some version or other of the purANa-s / epics.]
(To continue …. Part – 16).