Narad Jayanti
Narad
Jayanti is celebrated the day after the full moon day of Shukla Paksha in
Vaishaka month – i.e; Buddha Poornima. The day is marked as a birth anniversary
of Narad Muni. The name Narada evolves from Sanskrit word ‘Nara’ meaning ‘Man’.
A Vedic sage, known for both his wisdom and mischief, he plays a primary role
as a communicator between all Gods. He has the ability to transport between
different worlds – Swargalok (Heaven), Bhulok (Earth) and Patallok (Underworld). Dressed in the garb of the saint with a veena
in one hand and kirpan in another, he always is seen singing the praises of
Lord Vishnu and chanting his name – ‘Narayan, Narayan’. Narada is regarded as a
Devarishi amongst gods.
Narada
was born as a Gandharva (angelic descendent), however was cursed to take birth as
a Kshudra on earth. Hence Narada was born as a son of a maid-servant who worked
in an asharam for a sage. But instead of praying to Supreme Lord, Narada was
singing glories of Yakshas – the Demigods. However the priests were pleased
with his mother’s dedication and service. Once the sages were performing a
pooja for Lord Vishnu and they offered some prasadam to Narada. Narada felt
blessed in his heart having the prasadam and started regularly listening to the
religious discussions and discourses the sages were offering to others in the
asharam. Over time he felt closer to Lord Vishnu and seeked more knowledge.
Once his mother died, Narada wandered in forests in search of
enlightenment. He sat under a tree and
meditated on the ‘Paramatma- avataar’ of the supreme god in his heart, just as
he learnt from the sages in the asharam.
He
mediated for years when finally he saw a vision with his closed eyes. He saw
the Supreme Lord Vishnu, smiling at him who said that although Narad saw him in
this avataar now, he would spend his entire life seeking this vision again. And
that he will not be able to see him again until his death. However this vision
will help him carry through his life firing his latent yearning to be with Lord
Vishnu again. Thus began the spiritual journey of Narad Muni. He remained
devoted to Lord Vishnu for rest of his life, singing devotional songs, hymns
and prayers dedicated to him. Upon Narad’s death, Lord Vishnu bestowed the
spiritual avataar to him, which is also recognised as a partial manifestation
of god himself.
Narad
is as a knowledgeable sage who is well-conversant with all Puranas, Vedas and
Upanishads. He is aware with the history of the world across all Kaals (timeline)
and has all the knowledge of the entire universe – from beginning to the end. He
is also famous for creating some trouble if required, for a positive and
greater good of the universe.
This
day is also marked as the ‘Patrakardiwas’ which is celebrated in country with
many intellectual seminars conducted on this day in Northern India. Narad
Jayanti is observed in Lord Vishnu temples where special discourses and puja is
offered. Few people undertake fasting and reading religious texts and prayers
to Lord Vishnu symbolising their devotion to the supreme lord.
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