NaradarStories02
Published:29 Apr 2013 8 PMUpdated:29 Apr 2013 8 PM Sakthi
Vikatan
Vikatan Correspondent
Author: Wordsmith Balakumaran
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This is the essence of the four Vedas.
Wordsmith Balakumaran
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1. That hot water lake bears the name Mānasa
lake. On the lakeside, Naradar was playing on the lute. He was strolling
on the lakeside, drawn by the mind influenced by an unknown force to pay
attention to that locale.
2. The tranquil Mānasa lake at the base of the
Himalayas was the habitat for the Devatās accustomed to taking a bath.
The cold wind from the Himalayas swept by the lake. Though the sun was
leaning to the north, attesting to a warm season, sunlight was not
visible on the lakeside. The water bubbles rose at the left, the right,
and in the front. |
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3. Naradar wondered
what they could be. Could they be the fish or some other animal with
mischief up its gills? He looked at them with intensity. Under the
surface, someone was sitting cross-legged, emitting the air bubbles at a
leisurely pace. Anyone doing Tapas underwater? Naradar waded into the
lake to his mid-thigh depth. He looked down and saw an youngster seated
on the lake floor. He grabbed the youngster by his jaw and lifted him
out of the water. The youngster took a deep breath and filled his lungs.
4. With love brimming from his heart, Naradar
asked the youngster, "Ennappa! What is this? What are you doing ?" He
looked under 10. He wondered why this youngster immersed himself in a
big lake with a chill wind blowing. As the youngster rose from under the
surface, many more youngsters of the same age and looks rose around him.
Naradar, shocked and surprised, moved towards the waterline.
5. "Who are you? What are you doing here? Why
are you going through this hardship under this inclement cold weather?"
Nāradar's love and concern were showing. The youngster moved to the
lakeside, opposed their palms, and prostrated at his feet.
6. The youngsters: We are doing Tapas.
Naradar: What Tapas.
7. The youngsters: It is the Tapas whereby we
immerse in the lake, hold the air, slowly exhale the breath, and stop
the breath.
Naradar: Who is the object of your Tapas?
8. The youngsters: The object of our Tapas is
our grandfather, Brahma.
9. Naradar: If you are the grandchildren of
Brahma, who is your father?
10. The youngsters: Dakṣa. All emitted that
answer all at once.
11. Dakṣa's sons! That is why there is such
brightness on the face. Such beauty! You must be the sons of the
greatest Dakṣa to perform such Tapas at such a young age. All good and
dandy. But why this Tapas.
12. The youngsters: Our father directed us to do it.
13. Naradar: What did he say to you?
14. The youngsters: You immerse in the water
and direct your Tapas to Brahma.
15. Naradar: What purpose?
16. The youngsters: We must learn the
profession of creation. We should obtain that as a boon.
17. Naradar: The work of creation! A thousand
people. The world cannot bear now the weight of Brahma's creation. What
will happen to the world, if you all do creative work? It will stop its
rotation. Unable to bear the weight, the earth will choke. Why did your
father tell you to do this big job?
18. The youngsters: Is it not that the creation work is
imperative?
19. Yes
20. Is it not a unique work?
21. Yes
22. The youngsters: Our father asked us to learn the work of
creation.
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23. Naradar: Gold is a
wonderful thing. Not obtainable easily. But does anyone make gold ankle
cuffs and apply them to the ankle?
24. The youngsters were speechless.
25. The youngsters: We won't do it.
26. Naradar: What you do looks like it. With
your creative work, what do you gain?
27. The youngsters: We will get respect
because of the high position we attain. Is it not so?
28. Naradar: If a thousand individuals indulge
in creation work, what is the earth's fate? Would you not have a
competition among you? Would you not argue about whose creation is
better, more elegant, and beautiful? Won't there be sibling rivalry? Will it not cause sorrow, shatter
your togetherness, and cause split? Why this grief?
29. The youngsters: If so, what should we do
now?
30. Naradar: You must pray to Śiva and seek
him for liberation, Saranagati at his feet, the privilege of staying
with him in Kailas as his Ganas or attendants, and freedom from rebirth.
You could meditate on Śiva and become Śiva himself. Leaving all these
benefits, why do you indulge in creation, add to the burden and
destruction to the earth, and face breakup?
31. They thought for a while and said, "Yes."
They paid homage to Naradar, entered the lake's waters, and immersed
themselves with the supplication to Śiva that they should attain
Śivaness and become Śiva's attendants. Dakṣa was heart-broken at the
turn of events.
32. Though Dakṣa had mental distress, he
consorted with the Daughter of the Mountain Vēdavalli and begot a
thousand children. They were more powerful and more docile than their
elder siblings. Dakṣa ordered them to direct their Tapas to Śiva and
learn the art of creation.
33. They came to the Mānasa Lake to fulfill
the parents' orders in compliance with the saying: There is no Mantra
better than father's word. Nāradar came there. He clapped his hands and
urged the Tapasvins to rise from under the surface of the water. |
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34. Nārada: What are you doing? Your brothers
did this. What is the reason you do this?
35. Our father ordered us to do it.
36. To learn the work of creation.
37. Yes
38. To become Brahma.
39. Yes.
40. Referring to Brahma, this world has one
too many. If you also indulge in creation, what would happen to the
world? Why fight?
Who would do Tapas to this end? Would they go
for a reward of an uncultivated pumpkin (that grew by happenstance), having plowed the land? Ask for
a reward consistent with your endeavor. What you do is severe penance.
The reward for a great penance is not a mere pumpkin. You supplicate, so
you get Śiva Sorūpam, residence in Śiva Lokam and Jīvaṉ Mukti. Nārada
thus explained the importance of liberation.
41. Nārada raised the question of wellbeing
accrued from sitting in one place in tranquility with no connection to
family or friends,
bond, or purpose
42. The youngsters denied with a resounding
no.
43. Nārada: To sit in a place with closed eyes
and no purpose is the best of situations.
43. "Yes"
44. Nāradar said to them, "Ask Śiva for such a
place. That is the best choice for you. The youngsters understood the
advice of Nāradar, paid homage, immersed under the water, and
supplicated to Śiva for the attainment of Mukti.
45. Dakṣa came to know of Nārada's role in
changing his 2000 children's direction and boiled with anger.
46. Dakṣa leveled a curse at Nārada, saying.
"You do not know a father's responsibility for begetting children and
bringing them up to the highest position. You wander with no goal. You
meander through life with no house, no wife, and no children. You blink
pathetically everywhere. You have no permanent place of residence. You
have no stability. You will lead a life of wanderlust. Let that be your
life."
47. Nāradar, with a bowed head, accepted the
curse. He thought it was better to suffer this hardship than to allow
infliction of punishment on the earth because of creation. Nāradar
considered Dakṣa's curse as a blessing in disguise. With no attachment
to people and place, he gained the privilege of wandering to where his
feet took him. That was his blessing. He rejoiced at the opportunity.
48. He paid homage to Bhagavan, saying,
'Nārāyaṇa, Nārāyaṇa.'
49. Nāradar explains the creation's absurdity
in another episode.
Will continue. |
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