125 - The greatness of the Purana

This is the concluding chapter of the original Narada Purana which consisted of four padas (chatushpadasamayuktam V. 26). Here the interlocutors disperse as follows.

(1) The Kumaras, the reciters of the NP. are worshipped by Narada. They went to god Shiva and learnt the Shaiva Agama. After this they visited god Brahma and lastly god Vishnu at the Badari forest (VV. 1-5).

(2) Bidding good-bye to Shaunaka and other Brahmanas, Suta went to his preceptor Vyasa (VV. 48-49).

(3) Shaunaka and other Brahmanas remained there in the Naimisha forest and resumed their Satra (sacrificial session) V. 49.

(4) VV. in this chapter 26-47 is the eulogy of the NP. and of the benefit derived form hearing NP. This is called phalashruti which marks the end of a particular work.

These verses show that the original NP. was completed here at the end of this chapter.

Suta said:

1. Having recounted thus (the matter in the foregone four Padas of this Purana) on being enquired (about it) by the sage Narada, it is reported that the (four) Kumaras (viz. Sanat, Sanaka, Sanandana and Sana tana) who were the most excellent ones among the knowers of the sacred lore (shastras) were worshipped by Narada. After performing their prescribed daily routine duties, they went to the world of the Lord of Uma (i.e., god Shiva).

2. There (in the region of god Shiva) they bowed down to Ugra (i.e., Shiva), Isha, whose feet have been worshipped by the leading sages like Shrivamadeva and others who resembled (in refulgence) the fire and the sun—Shiva who is worthy of being adored by the leaders of the Devas and Asuras. At his behest, they sat on the bare ground.

3. There, they heard the Shaiva Agama which is the essence of all sacred lores, and which is conducive to the liberation of Pashu (individual soul) from Pasha (bondage of Samsara). After bowing to Purari (Shiva) those sages who were the very concrete embodiments of Pure knowledge, went to the presence of their father (god Brahma).

4. They bowed down to his lotus feet. They were duly honoured and welcomed by their father. Receiving his blessings they became holy and sacred. From that time onwards, they who are the embodiments of holy places, are continuously moving about in the holy centres in all the three worlds.

5. Thereafter, they went to the holy forest of Badari, where they meditated for a long time on the immutable lotus¬ like feet of Lord Vishnu which are being resorted to by groups of leading Devas and on which the ascetics, devoid of passion, contemplate.

6. After acquiring the spiritual knowledge along with sound wisdom and discrimination so longed for by him from those Kumaras (viz. Sanaka, Sanandana and others), Narada was highly pleased in his mind.

7. From the banks of that celestial river, he returned to his father’s presence, where he was warmly welcomed by his father (god Brahma). After bowing to him he took his seat there.

8. He described factually the spiritual wisdom along with sound knowledge that he had heard from the Kumaras. On hearing that, he (i.e., Brahma) too rejoiced.

9. Then the excellent sage (Narada) bowed down (to Brahma) with his head and received his blessings. He came over to Kailasa which is frequented by sages and Siddhas.

10-11. The place is continuously filled with different kinds of wonderful things. It is full of trees blossoming in all the seasons-trees such as Mandaras, Parijatas, Champakas, Ashokas, Vanjulas and many others. They are occupied by flocks of different kinds of birds. When their branches are shaken by the wind, they appear as though they are inviting the way­ farers.

12.    The  place is full of different herds of deer. It is thronged by the Siddhas and Kinnaras. It appears splendid, thanks to the lakes       with crystal-clear water where golden lotuses bloom with splendour.

13-15a. It was reverberated with the sounds of various aquatic birds such as Sarasas, Chakravakas and swans. It was resounded with the tumultuous sound of the fall of heavenly river, by the sporting bevies of celestial damsels playing in the water of the river Alakananda which had turned tawny-coloured through the saffron powders from their breasts. It was teeming with joyous elephants who bathed their mates and cubs with the waters taken up by their trunks.

15b- 16a. On a peak that resembled a white cloud, of that mountain, he saw a spreading banyan tree which extended over a hundred Yojanas and which appeared like a black cloud.

16b-18a. Beneath it, he saw Lord Shiva seated in the middle of a group of Yogins. The lord had matted hair and unusual number (i.e. three) of eyes. He was clad in the hide of a tiger. He had smeared ashes all over his body. He was adorned with serpents as ornaments. He was perpetually refulgent with his necklace of Rudraksha-beads and he had a crescent of the moon on his head.

18b-19a. On seeing   (the  moon-crested) Lord, 0 Brahmana, Narada bent down and lowered his neck with great devotion. He bowed his head down at the feet of the Lord of the Universe.

19b-20. With a delighted mind, he eulogised the bull­bannered Lord, verbally. At the behest of Sthanu (Shiva), he sat down. He was greeted and honoured by the Yogins. Then the preceptor of the worlds (i.e. Lord Shiva) enquired about the health and welfare of Narada.

21-22a. He replied- “Thanks to your Honour’s grace, I am blest with everything.” O Brahmanas, even as all the leading Yogins were listening, (Narada) asked Shiva about special knowledge of Shambhu, that is conducive to the liberation of the Pashu from the Pasha.

22b-23a. Shiva was highly delighted in his mind with his respectful devotion. The Lord favourably disposed towards those who bow down to him, recounted the Yoga philosophy with all its eight subsections. (or accessories)

23b-24a. After acquiring the knowledge pertaining to Shambhu, from Shankara, the benefactor of all the worlds, Narada became delighted in his mind. After bowing to him, he went near Narayana.

24b-25a. Narada who was accustomed to coming to and fro frequently, propitiated Narayana, who is served by the Yogins and the Siddhas.

25b-26. Thus, O Brahmanas, the great narrative of Narada Purana has been recounted to you. It is on a par with the Vedas. It is a model for all sacred lores. It comprises four Padas (quarters, sections). It increases the perfect knowledge of listeners.

27-29. 0 Brahmanas, he who recites and glorifies devoutly this narrative pertaining to Narada, in a Shiva temple, in the assembly of prominent Brahmanas, in the temple of Keshava, in Mathura, in Prayaga, in the presence of Purushottama (or at Jagannatha Puri), at Setu (i.e. the bridge built by Rama on his way to Lanka),in Kanchi, at Dvaraka, at Gangadvara, Kushasthala, on the banks of the lotus tanks (or at Pushkara), on the banks of rivers-in fact, anywhere (he pleases) shall obtain the great benefit of performance of all Yajnas and the visit of all holy centres.

30-31. He shall obtain the benefit of all charitable gifts and of performing all austerities. Both the listener and the propounder (narrator) should be devoted to Narayana or to shiva; He should either observe fast or take in only Havishya food (cooked rice soaked in ghee). He should subdue his sense­ organs. Listening thus to this Purana he shall attain Siddhi (Moksha).

32.It is in this narrative that all merits and Siddhis originate. It is declared as destructive of all sins of those who read and listen to it.

33.It removes the defects due to Kali’s harassment; it is conducive to the increase of all riches of men. This is liked by everyone. It illuminates all knowledge.

34-37a. It sheds light on the modes of austerities, holy rites and their benefits of the followers of Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, the Sun god and Ganapati. It explains the duties of those who adhere to the system of disciplined life in accordance with the classification of various castes and stages of life. It throws light on the Mantras, Yantras and the ancillary subjects of the Vedas with their divisions. It is a brief digest of the Agamas, the Vedas and the Samkhya tenets. He who reads this devoutly or listens to it with great concentration, shall derive all cherished desires difficult of access, even to the Devas and others.

37b-39a. After listening to this Narada Purana which is on a par with the Vedas, the devotee should worship the expounder with devotion, wealth, jewels, silk cloths, etc. and with the gifts of plots of land, cows, jewels etc. With the gifts of elephants, horses and chariots, he should ever please the preceptor.

39b-40a. 0 Brahmana, who else can be a preceptor other than the person who comments on the Puranas wherein all dharmas (religious duties) have been collected together and which bestows all the fourfold aims of human life. (viz. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha).     

40b-41a. The devotee should always do what is pleasing to the preceptor who instructs him in religious duties. He should render him service physically, mentally and verbally as well as through cash presents.

41b-42. After listening to the Purana duly and after performing Homa and worship of the Devas, the devotee should feed a hundred Brahmanas, with sweet cooked rice and    milk puddings. He should give them monetary gifts in accordance with his capacity. Madhava shall be pleased with his devotion.

43-46. Just as Ganga is the       most excellent among the rivers, Pushkara is the most excellent among the lakes, (and just as in their respective categories the following are the best viz.) the city of Kashi, the mountain Meru, Lord Hari, Narayana, the Kruta age, the Sama Veda, the cow, the Brahmana, the cooked rice, water, the month of Margashirsha, the lion, the (Cosmic Man) Purusha, the Ashvattha (holy fig tree), Prahlada, the face, the horse Uccaishshravas, the season Vasanta (spring), Japa, the serpent Shesha, Aryaman, the bow, the fire, Vishnu, Indra, the sage Kapila, the Lord of speech (Bruhaspati) Kavi (poet, Shukra ), Arjuna, Hanuman, Darbha grass, the mind, the gandharva Chitraratha, the Lotus, the Apsaras Urvashi and gold-all these are the most excellent ones in their own groups.

47. Similarly, the Narada Purana is the most excellent among all the Puranas. O excellent Brahmanas, peace be to you; welfare be to all of you.

48. I shall now go to my preceptor Vyasa, of unmeasured splendour. After saying this, Suta was worshipped by Shaunaka and other noble souls.

49. Permitted by all of them, he went his way to see his preceptor Vyasa.

All those excellent Brahmanas, Shaunaka and others carried out the advice they had heard with great concentration and perfection in details. They remained there itself, per­ forming their Satra (sacrifice).

50. He who takes (resorts) to meditating in the form of injunctions regarding the performance of Japa and worship of Hari, the destroyer of the poison of the sins of Kali, purges completely his mind of that poison (or Kali) and accomplishes Yoga and ultimately attains the ever-cherished region of Hari.