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| NARADA |
Narada and Chitraketu:
A king by name the Chitraketu ruled the kingdom of Shurasena. He had a son after
a very long time. But the jealous stepmothers poisoned and killed the child.
Chitraketu wept bitterly over the dead body of the child. Then Narada arrived
and he tried to console the king, but it was in vain. Narada then used his yogi's
powers and made the child come back to life.
The boy sat up and said: "I went through many births, saw countless mothers
and fathers. I felt like a coin being passed from hand to hand in a fair. To
whom does a coin belong? No one can hoard it for long. It keeps constantly circulating.
Likewise, a human being, on account of his Karma, takes birth in the womb of
a woman. Again, owing to his Karma alone does he take his birth again. I have
gone through this cycle of births and deaths. I do not wish to get caught in
it once again." So saying he cast away his body. Only then did wisdom dawn
on Chitraketu. His mind became calm. Narada later taught him the sacred mantra
and guided him in the spiritual path.
Narada and Prahalad:
Hiranyakashipu was an enemy of Devas (gods). Once, while he was away at the Mandara
Mountains for penance, Lord Indra kidnapped his wife Kayadu and tried to kill
the child in her womb. Then Narada went to Lord Indra and prevented the misdeed
by preaching him good sense. Narada then took away Kayadu to his ashram and looked
after her till Hiranyakashipu came back from his penance. The child in her womb
was Prahalad. Narada used to address Prahalad even while he was in his mother's
womb and he would preach the child Dharma and describe the glory of the Lord.
Thus when Prahalad was born he was already a great devotee of Vishnu.
Narada and Savitri-Satyavan:
In the state of Madra there was a king by name Ashwapati. Savitri was the name
of his daughter. She grew up to be a woman of great wisdom and beauty. Once she
saw a young man named Satyavan and decided that he alone should be her husband.
On hearing this, Narada said to the king: "O king, I happen to know that
young man. No doubt, Satyavan is as bright as the Sun God, as wise as Brihaspati
and as brave as Lord Indra. But he will live only for a year from today. This
is the only problem."
Narada's words shocked king Ashwapati. He grew pale and shuddered to think that
his prospective son-in-law would live only for one year after the marriage. But
Savitri said: "Father, I have accepted Satyavan devoutly and sincerely as
my husband. Hence, only he shall be my husband." Narada consoled the king
and l said: "O king, none can change Savitri's decision. There is no more
worthy than Satyavan. Hence I feel it is but proper that you 'give your daughter
in marriage to him. The Lord is great. Everything will turn out to be favorable."
Later the wedding of Savitri and Satyavan did take place. As predicted by Narada,
Satyavan breathed his last after one year. The Lord of Death - Yama himself came
to take away his life. But Savitri got back her husband's life by winning Yama's
favor with her unswerving virtues. It was owing to Narada's timely guidance that
Savitri was vigilant and cautious and was able to win back her husband's life.
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