Narada - Wikipedia Narada From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigation Jump to search For the village in Slovakia, see Ňárad. For other uses, see Narada (disambiguation). Sage in Hindu mythology This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Narada" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Narada Devarshi 'Sage god' Messenger of Gods Sage Narada Devanagari नारद Affiliation Devotee of Vishnu Deva Abode Brahmaloka Vaikuntha Mantra Om Naradaya Namah Symbols Khartal Veena Mahati Personal information Parents Brahma (father) Saraswati (mother) Narada (Sanskrit: नारद, IAST: Nārada), or Narada Muni, is a god-sage, famous in Hindu traditions as a travelling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom. He is one of mind-created children of Brahma, the creator.[1][2] He appears in a number of Hindu texts, notably the Mahabharata, telling Yudhishtira the Prahlada story, the Ramayana as warning Ravan as well as in the Puranas.[2] Once God decided that it was time for Him to descend to earth to set matters right, most lesser Gods came down too as someone or the other to aid and enjoy a ringside view of epochal events. He is also referred to as Rishiraj, meaning the king of all sages or rishis. He was gifted with the boon of knowledge, past, present and future. Once his knowledge became a hindrance in God's designs. He was therefore cursed that although he would tell the truth and warn people, they would never believe him. In Indian texts, Narada travels to distant worlds and realms (Sanskrit: lokas). He is depicted carrying a khartal (musical instrument) and tanpura with the name Mahathi and is generally regarded as one of the great masters of the ancient musical instrument. This instrument is known by the name "mahathi"[3][4] which he uses to accompany his singing of hymns, prayers and mantras. In the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism, he is presented as a sage with devotion to Lord Vishnu. Narada is described as both wise and mischievous in some humorous tales. Vaishnav enthusiasts depict him as a pure, elevated soul who glorifies Vishnu through his devotional songs, singing the names Hari and Narayana, and therein demonstrating bhakti yoga. The Narada Bhakti Sutra is attributed to him. He would usually make his entrance vocally chanting Narayana, Narayana before optically appearing in the scene. Part of a series on Vaishnavism Supreme deity Vishnu (Narayana) / Krishna / Rama / Vithoba Important deities Dashavatara Matsya Kurma Varaha Narasimha Vamana Parasurama Rama Balarama Krishna Buddha Kalki Other Avatars Nara-Narayana Hayagriva Dhanvantari Prithu Mohini Venkateswara Balarama Consorts Lakshmi Shri Bhu Durga Sita Radha Rukmini Alamelu Nila Related Garuda Hanuman Shesha Holy scriptures Vedas Upanishads Agamas Brahma Sutras Bhagavad Gita Mahabharata Ramayana Harivamsa Divya Prabandha Gita Govinda Puranas Vishnu Bhagavata Naradiya Garuda Padma Agni Sampradayas Sri (Vishishtadvaita) Brahma (Dvaita, Acintyabhedabheda) Rudra (Shuddhadvaita) Kumara (Dvaitadvaita) Teachers–acharyas Nathamuni Nammalvar Yamunacharya Ramanuja Pillai Lokacharya Vedanta Desika Manavala Mamunigal Nimbarka Madhva Dnyaneshwar Vishnuswami Vidyapati Vallabha Ramananda Kabir Dadu Dayal Sankardev Madhavdev Chaitanya Jiva Goswami Harivansh Related traditions Bhagavatism Vaikhanasas Pancharatra Thenkalais Vadakalais Munitraya Varkari Mahanubhava Haridasa Sahajiya Baul Pushtimarg Ekasarana Gaudiya ISKCON Radha-vallabha Ramanandi Kapadi Balmiki Kabir panth Dadu panth Pranami Swaminarayan  Hinduism portal v t e Other texts named after Narada include Narada Purana and the Nāradasmṛti (pre 6th century CE text), the latter called the "juridical text par excellence" and representing the only Dharmaśāstra text which deals solely with juridical matters while ignoring those of righteous conduct and penance.[5] The name Narada, referring to many different persons, appears in many mythical legends of Hinduism,[6] as an earlier birth of Sariputta in the Jataka tales of Buddhism as well as names of medieval Buddhist scholars,[7][8] and in Jainism.[9] Contents 1 Mahabharata 2 Puranas 3 Jainism 4 See also 5 References 5.1 Citations 5.2 Sources 6 External links Mahabharata[edit] In the Mahabharata, Narada is portrayed as being conversant with the Vedas and the Upanishads and as acquainted with history and Puranas. He has mastery of the six Angas: pronunciation, grammar, prosody, terms, religious rites and astronomy. All celestial beings worship him for his knowledge - he is supposed to be well versed in all that occurred in ancient Kalpas (time cycles) and is termed to be conversant with Nyaya (logic) and the truth of moral science. He is a perfect master in re-conciliatory texts and differentiating in applying general principles to particular cases. He can swiftly interpret contraries by references to differences in situation. He is eloquent, resolute, intelligent and a possessor of powerful memory. He knows the science of morals, politics; he is skilled in drawing inference from evidence, and very proficient in distinguishing inferior things from superior ones. He is competent in judging the correctness and incorrectness of complex syllogistic statements consisting of 5 proponents. He is capable of arriving at definite conclusions about religion, wealth, pleasure and salvation. He possesses knowledge of this whole universe and everything surrounding it. He is capable of successfully answering Brihaspati himself, while arguing. He is a master of the Sankhya and Yoga systems of philosophy, conversant with sciences of war and treaty and proficient in drawing conclusions by judging things not within direct knowledge. He knows about the six sciences of treaty, war, military campaigns, maintenance of posts against the enemy and strategies of ambushes and reserves. He is a thorough master of every branch of learning. He is fond of war and music, and incapable of being repulsed by any science or any course of action.[10] Puranas[edit] Narada found Vishnu in his vishwa swarupa form Sage Sanathkumar teaches Brahma vidya to Narada The Bhagavata Purana describes the story of Narada's spiritual enlightenment: He was the primary source of information among Gods, and is believed to be the first journalist on Earth. In his previous birth Narada was a Gandharva (angelic being) who had been cursed to be born on an earthly planet for singing glories to the demigods instead of the Supreme Lord.[11] He was born as the son of a maid-servant of some particularly saintly priests. The priests, being pleased with both his and his mother's service, blessed him by allowing him to eat some of their food (prasad), previously offered to their lord, Vishnu. Gradually he received further blessings from these sages and heard them discussing many spiritual topics. After his mother died, he decided to roam the forest in search of enlightenment in understanding the 'Supreme Absolute Truth'. Reaching a tranquil forest location, after quenching his thirst from a nearby stream, he sat under a tree in meditation (yoga), concentrating on the paramatma form of Vishnu within his heart as he had been taught by the priests he had served. After some time Narada experienced a vision wherein Narayana (Vishnu) appeared before him, smiling, and spoke "that despite having the blessing of seeing him at that very moment, Narada would not be able to see his (Vishnu's) divine form again until he died". Narayana further explained that the reason he had been given a chance to see his form was because his beauty and love would be a source of inspiration and would fuel his dormant desire to be with the lord again. After instructing Narada in this manner, Vishnu then disappeared from his sight. The boy awoke from his meditation both thrilled and disappointed. For the rest of his life Narada focused on his devotion, meditation upon and worship to Vishnu. After his death Vishnu then blessed him with the spiritual form of "Narada" as he eventually became known. In many Hindu scriptures Narada is considered a saktyavesa-avatara or partial-manifestation (avatar) of God, empowered to perform miraculous tasks on Vishnu's behalf. Narada temples are few, most prominent being Sri Narada Muni Temple at Chigateri, Karnataka.[12] In the Padma Purana and some other texts, Narada is transformed into a woman for a time.[13][14] Jainism[edit] Main article: salakapurusa In Jainism, there are a total of 9 Naradas in every cycle of Jain Cosmology;[15] current cycle's Naradas were Bhima, Mahabhima, Rudra, Maharudra, Kala, Mahakala, Durmukha, Narakamukha and Adhomukha. Sri Narada Muni Sri Narada Muni Temple. Chigateri See also[edit] Bhagavata Purana Narad Bhakti Sutra Nāradasmṛti Sangita Makarandha Four Kumaras Vishnu References[edit] Citations[edit] ^ Christian Lee Novetzke (2003), Divining an Author: The Idea of Authorship in an Indian Religious Tradition, History of Religions, Vol. 42, No. 3, page 222 ^ a b James G. Lochtefeld (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z. The Rosen Publishing Group. p. 461. ISBN 978-0-8239-3180-4. ^ Guy, Randor (31 July 2010). "Bhaktha Naradar 1942". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 October 2011. ^ Bhag-P 1.5.1 Narada is addressed as 'Veena-panih', meaning "one who carries a veena in his hand" ^ Lariviere 1989: ix ^ Devdutt Pattanaik (2000). The Goddess in India: The Five Faces of the Eternal Feminine. Inner Traditions. p. 80. ISBN 978-0-89281-807-5. ^ Sarah Shaw (2006). THE JATAKAS: Birth Stories of Bodhisatta. Penguin Books. p. 497. ISBN 978-81-8475-034-8. ^ Martin Ramstedt (2005). Hinduism in Modern Indonesia. Routledge. p. 50. ISBN 978-1-135-79052-3. ^ Helmuth von Glasenapp (1999). Jainism: An Indian Religion of Salvation. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 273 with footnotes. ISBN 978-81-208-1376-2. ^ The Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa Volume 1 Books 1, 2 and 3, Section XII ^ Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.72 ^ Hindu Gods and Goddesses ^ Cheever Mackenzie Brown, The Triumph of the Goddess: The Canonical Models and Theological Visions of the Devi-Bhagavata Purana (1990), page 212 ^ Amara Das Wilhelm, Tritiya-Prakriti: People of the Third Sex (2004), page 153 ^ Doniger 1999, p. 550. Sources[edit] Doniger, Wendy, ed. (1999), Encyclopedia of World Religions, Merriam-Webster, ISBN 0-87779-044-2 Translation by Richard W. Lariviere (1989). The Nāradasmr̥ti. University of Philadelphia. External links[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to Narada. Narada's Instructions on Srimad-Bhagavatam for Vyasadeva References to Narada in Gaudiya Vaishnava texts Ruesi Narot - Narada in Buddhist Thailand Narada’s Aphorisms on Bhakti (Ed. Sarma, Y Subrahmanya) Nārada Bhakti Sūtras (Tr. Bhuteshananda, Swami) Nārada-Bhakti-Sūtra: The Secrets of Transcendental Love (Tr. Prabhupāda, A C Bhaktivedanta Swami et al.) Narada Jayanti Janm Vishesh v t e Avatars of Vishnu Dashavatara Matsya Kurma Varaha Narasimha Vamana Parashurama Rama Balarama1 Krishna1 Buddha1 Kalki Other avatars Four Kumaras Narad Nar-Narayan Kapila Dattatreya Yajna Rishabha Prithu Dhanvantari Mohini Vyas Prsnigarbha Hayagriva Hamsa 1 The list of ten avatars varies regionally. The two substitutions involve Balarama, Krishna and Buddha is considered the avatar of Vishnu. Krishna is almost always included; in exceptions, he is considered the source of all avatars. v t e Rishis Saptarshi 1st (Svayambhuva) Manvantara Marichi Atri Angiras Pulaha Kratu Pulastya Vasistha 2nd (Svarocisha) Manvantara Urja Stambha Prana Dattoli Rishabha Nischara Arvarivat 3rd (Uttama) Manvantara Kaukundihi Kurundi Dalaya Sankha Pravahita Mita Sammita 4th (Tapasa) Manvantara Jyotirdhama Prithu Kavya Chaitra Agni Vanaka Pivara 5th (Raivata) Manvantara Hirannyaroma Vedasri Urddhabahu Vedabahu Sudhaman Parjanya Mahamuni 6th (Cakshusha) Manvantara Sumedhas Virajas Havishmat Uttama Madhu Abhinaman Sahishnnu 7th (Vaivasvata) Manvantara Kashyapa Atri Vasistha Vishvamitra Gautama Jamadagni Bharadwaja Other Four Kumaras Agastya Agnivesa Aruni Ashtavakra Astika Atharvan Atreya Aupamanyava Aurava Avatsara Bhrigu Bhringi Brahmarshi Chyavana Dattatreya Dadhichi Devala Dirghatamas Durvasa Garga Gritsamada Jahnu Jaimini (Mimansa) Kambhoja Kambu Swayambhuva Kanada (Vaisheshika) Kanvas Kanwa Kapila (Samkhya) Kindama Kutsa Mandavya Markandeya Matsyendra Mrikanda Nachiketa Narada Parashara Rajarshi Raikva Renukacharya Rishyasringa Sakayanya Sandipani Sankriti Satyakama Jabala Shukra Shuka Upamanyu Vaisampayana Valmiki Vartantu Vibhandak Rishi Vyasa (Vedas, Vedanta) Yajnavalkya Other Hindu sages v t e Chaitanya Sampradaya Sampradaya Acharyas Pre Chaitanya Kṛṣṇa Brahmā Nārada Vyāsa Madhvācārya Padmanābha Tīrtha Narahari Tīrtha Mādhava Tīrtha Akṣobhya Tīrtha Jaya Tīrtha Jñānasindhu Dayānidhi Vidyānidhi Rājendra Jayadharma Puruṣottama Brahmaṇya Tīrtha Vyāsa Tīrtha Lakshmipati Tīrtha Mādhavendra Purī Īśvara Purī Advaita Acharya Post Chaitanya Sri Krishna Chaitanya Haridāsa Nitai Rūpa Svarūpa Sanātana Raghunātha, Jīva Kṛṣṇadāsa Narottama Viśvanātha Jagannātha Modern Bhaktivinoda Gaurakiśora Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Bon Prabhupāda Ballabh Tirtha Bhaktisvarupa Damodar Jayapataka Narayana Paramadwaiti Prajnana Kesava Pramode Puri Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Shrivatsa Goswami Tripurari Vaibhava Puri Topics Bhakti Supreme Personality of Godhead Japa Yoga Meditation Hare Krishna Mantras Puja Arati Bhajan Kirtan Sattvic diet Ahimsa Rishis Tilaka Guru Diksha Avataras of God Matsya Kurma Varaha Krishna Balarama Rama Narasimha Vamana Buddha Parashurama Kalki Dhanvantari Kapila Holy texts Vedanta (Dvaitadvaita * Dvaita * Vishishtadvaita * Shuddhadvaita * Achintya Bheda Abheda) Bhagavad Gita Shrimad Bhagavatam Vedas Chaitanya Charitamrita Ramayana Mahabharata Puranas Upanishads Chaitanya Bhagavata Organizations Gaudiya Math Gaudiya Mission ISKCON ISKCON Revival Movement Science of Identity Foundation Sri Sri Radha Govindaji Trust Spiritual abodes Goloka Vrindavana Vaikuntha Ayodhya Holy attributes Lotus Sudarshana Chakra Narayanastra Kaumodaki Nandaki Sharangam Shankha Famous bhaktas Hanuman Arjuna Prahlada Narada Haridasa Six Goswamis of Vrindavana Holy days Rama Navami Janmashtami Gaura-purnima Ekadashi Writers Vrindavana Dasa Thakura Vyasa Valmiki Pancha-tattva Nitai 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units of time Hindu views on evolution Hindu calendar Hindu astrology List of numbers in Hindu scriptures Hinduism portal Authority control GND: 118818422 VIAF: 193295452 WorldCat Identities: viaf-193295452 Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Narada&oldid=993748258" Categories: Hindu sages Prajapatis Forms of Vishnu Characters in the Bhagavata Purana Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description is different from Wikidata Articles needing additional references from March 2017 All articles needing additional references Use Indian English from April 2015 All Wikipedia articles written in Indian English Use dmy dates from April 2015 Articles having different image on Wikidata and Wikipedia Articles containing Sanskrit-language text Commons category link is on Wikidata Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers Navigation menu Personal tools Not logged in Talk 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