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| NARADA QUENCHING HIS THIRST |
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| NARADA WITH HIS FAMILY |
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| NARADA AND HIS FAMILY IN THE FLOODS |
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| NARADA THANKING KRISHNA |
After his thirst was quenched taken by her beauty Narada followed the damsel
to her house. On reaching the house he met the master of the house and enquired
about the beautiful he had followed. On knowing he was talking to the girl's
father, who was the village chieftain Narada asked the hand of the damsel. The
father agreed to give his daughter on the condition that Narada stay in the village
and in the house with him. Narada readily agreed for the condition.
The marriage soon took place. Soon after the marriage, the old village chieftain
died, Narada had to assume his title and responsibilities.
Life went on and Narada was blessed with four children. When Narada was at the
peak of his success, disaster came in the form of a cyclonic winds, rain and
floods. Narada put his family into a boat and tried to keep afloat, on the swirling
waters. But the boat capsized. Narada tired in vain to save his wife and children.
A huge wave threw Narada on the shore. Distressed and grief stricken Narada moaned
at the loss of his wife and children. Utterly disillusioned he lost interest
in life and cried out, "My wife gone! My children drowned! How can I live
without them?"
Suddenly, he heard a voice, "Narada I am thirsty. Where is the water?" Narada
turned around and seeing Krishna in front of him lamented, "Krishna! My
wife, my children, bring them back to me." Laughingly Krishna said, "Come
to your senses Narad. There never was any wife or children. It was all an illusion." Immediately
realizing the truth Narada said, "I am grateful to you for enlightening
me, Krishna. Life itself is an illusion from which it is difficult to escape.
Only with your grace can this illusion be conquered."
Narada and Dhruva:
King Uttanapada had two wives. Dhruva was the son of Suniti; the elder of the
two wives and Uttama was the son of Suruchi the younger wife. Once Suruchi chided
Dhruva and taunted him that he was not eligible for the throne. Dhruva felt humiliated
by her remarks. He took an oath that he would become the king by propitiating
Lord Vishnu by penance.
But Dhruva was hardly five years of age. How could a five year old boy know anything
about the observance of penance? Narada came to know of it and appeared before
Dhruva. He taught Dhruva various aspects of worshipping and penance. He taught
Dhruva the mantra 'Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya.' In accordance with Narada's
instructions, Dhruva observed penance and earned the blessings of Lord Narayana.
He achieved this feat, which had eluded even mighty yogis.
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