Sage-bard; traveled the world chanting Narayana. Famous for creating disputes, resulting in solutions for the spiritual advancement or victory of the virtuous. Expert in law and author of texts on Dharma. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

In the mythology of Bharat, Narada is a sage well known as Triloka Sanchari (to constantly travel in the three worlds). Narada represents the life principle. The three worlds are Bhur, Bhuvas, Suvaha meaning material energy, life force and latent Atma Shakti (spiritual energy). (SSS Vol.26, p. 26)

Narada is generally believed to be confined to a specific human form holding the tambura (a stringed musical instrument) in his hand. This is not correct. The Jiva (individual soul) represents Narada. The spinal cord is his musical instrument. The Sushumna nadi (nerve) which runs through the spinal column is the string and inhaling and exhaling of the breath is the Hari namasmarana (chanting of the divine name of the Lord Hari). With such a form he moves about chanting ‘Govinda’, ‘Damodara’, ‘Narayana’ etc. This was the form given to Narada by Brahma. That is the reason why he is called ‘Brahma Manasa Putra’ (The son born to the Lord Brahma from out of his heart). The word ‘Naramu’ denotes water. It has another meaning Prajnana Kiranam (divine rays of constant integrated awareness). Just as all the hill streams finally merge in the sea, the rays of constant integrated awareness merge in Para Brahma (Supreme Personality of Godhead). The same is explained in the Vedic declaration ‘Prajnanam Brahma’ (Constant integrated awareness of Brahman, verily). (Beacons of Divine Wisdom Part 2, p. 104)

(Narada found Vishnu in his virat swarupa form)

Once, Lord Vishnu chided Sage Narada, saying ‘That farmer is better than you.’ Narada was disturbed at this comment and immediately proceeded to the village in which that farmer lived in order to observe his life style for a few days. The farmer was very poor. He used to pray to God only three times in a day – as soon as he wakes up in the morning, at the time of partaking his meal in the afternoon and before going to sleep in the night. Sage Narada was surprised how could a farmer who prays to God only three times a day be a better devotee than him. He felt it a matter of insult to him, meted out by Lord Vishnu to change His opinion about him. He approached Him and submitted his grievance. He expected Lord Vishnu to change His opinion about him. Lord Vishnu then put him to a test. He told Narada to place five pots filled with water one over the other on his head and circumambulate His Mandir even a drop of water spilling over. Narada accordingly, concentrating all his thoughts on the five pots and the water there in. He then reported to Lord Vishnu, having completed the job entrusted to him successfully. The Lord then enquired ‘Narada! Tell me how many times you remembered Me while you were circumambulating My Mandir’. Narada was shocked. He had to agree, ‘I am sorry? I forgot about it. I did not remember you even once..’ Lord Vishnu then explained.

‘Don’t you agree that, that farmer is more devoted than you? In spite of bearing the weight of constant thinking about the loss or gain, good and bad and natural calamities in his daily life, that farmer prays to God thrice in a day. Is he not greater devotee than you?’ (Beacons of Divine Wisdom Part 2, pp. 104-105)

Emperor of the Kingdom of devotion

The entire Universe is filled with love. It is the Embodiment of Lord Vishnu. There is nothing in the Universe that does not belong to him. Hence, the fundamental principle is to treat everything in the Universe as an Embodiment of Divinity and experience that truth. Sage Narada followed his path. He prayed, ‘Oh! Lord Narayana! Whoever had partaken the nectar of your divine name and experienced your divine love is happy and contented. He is experiencing divine bliss. Please therefore grant me that bliss.’ Sage Narada was the Emperor of the Kingdom of devotion. He travelled in all the worlds and spread the gospel of devotion, himself experiencing the divine bliss thereby. (Beacons of Divine Wisdom Part 2, p. 106)

(Sage Sanatkumar teaches Bhuma vidya to Narada)

Narada first learnt 64 branches of knowledge. In spite of acquiring so much knowledge, he was constantly immersed in sorrow. He was enquiring into himself what could be the reason for his sorrow and restlessness. He, therefore, went to Sanatkumara for consultation. Sanatkumara explained the position with a clear analysis which went straight into his mind. He first enquired, ‘Oh! Narada! What is your qualification?

Narada replied, ‘I have learnt all branches of knowledge. There is no discipline in this world, which is not known to me.’ Then, Sanatkumara further enquired, ‘OK! That is good! Your qualifications are excellent, but, by any chance, did you learn Atmavidya ?’ Narada replied to this query thus: ‘Excepting this, I have learnt all other disciplines.’ Then Sanatkumara explained, ‘The Prasanthi (supreme peace) available in Atmavidya is not available in any other branch of knowledge. It is only when you acquire that knowledge, you are deemed to have mastered all knowledge. What is the use of your knowing everything without knowing what ought to be known?

Sanatkumara explained to Narada that peace was not available anywhere except in the atma tathwaa in the spiritual field.

Sorrows And Difficulties Are The Testing Ground

Since Man is exposed to raga and dvesha and abhimana and mamakara, he is unable to realise what he is doing and in which condition he is. He thinks he is all in all and there is no greater power than him. Because of this ego, he is losing atma shakti (atmic power) with half –baked knowledge. He is losing the power of discrimination as to what is nitya and what is anitya (the permanent and impermanent). He feels he is doing everything. He feels he is the master of the whole world. But he is not the person who manages the affairs of the world. He has no right to decide the good and bad in the world. Whoever is the creator, protector, master and head of the world, only he has this power. In keeping with the saying ‘Lokascha Charaachararascha’, there is only one Lord (Natha) for the entire universe. Man has to recognize this truth. He should not expose himself to momentary emotions and anger and become weak. The sorrows and difficulties, weaknesses and losses are all testing grounds for man. It is only during such times, the weaknesses in Man are exposed. In such circumstances, whether you keep up your patience, courage and faith in God or lose them, is a test. It is not enough if you simply pass your examinations in the college or university.

Yogi Vemana once exhorted that one should acquire education that led to immortality. What is this type of education? That is atma Vidya. Atma has neither birth nor death. Every object that has birth, has change as well. The whole world has a specific form. That which has a form must necessarily undergo change. When you keep the formless Atma-tattva as your goal, you will attain the changeless state. (BhaG, pp. 323-326)