Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 6 Chapter 5:27-44

Book 6: Chapter 5

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 6: Chapter 5: Verses 27-44 Narada subjected to an execration (by Daksa) Living for some months on water (alone) and subsisting for several months on (nothing but) air, they worshipped Bhagavan Visnu (the Lord of all sacred texts), repeating the following sacred formula : We make obeisance to Lord Narayana (the goal of all the Jivas), denoted by the mystical syllable OM, the highest Person the Supreme Spirit, appearing in a form made up of Sattva unmixed with Rajas and Tamas, the purest of the pure." The sage Narada, O Pariksit (a King of kings), approached those (other) princes also, who were thus intent on renewing the creation, and addressed to them enigmatic words similar to those addressed (to their elder brothers) before:- 'Duly hear from me as I tell you, O sons of Daksa, the following precept. (Try to) discover the path trodden by your (elder) brothers, for whom you cherish such (great) affection. A brother who knows his duty (towards his brothers) and follows the exalted path of his brothers, and who is followed (everywhere) by his virtue rejoices (in the realm of the Maruts) along with the Maruts (the forty-nine wind-gods, who are all excessively fond of their brothers)". Saying this much, the sage Narada, whose sight never fails to bring its reward, withdrew; and they too followed the path of their brothers alone, O noble one ! Having taken to the noble and agreeable path leading to (the realization of) the Supreme-a path which can be reached only by those whose thought is turned onward (away from the world)-they, like the.bygone nights, do not return even to this day. Seeing many an evil portent at this time, the Prajapati (Daksa) heard of the ruination of his sons at the hands of the sage Narada as before. Overpowered with grief for his sons, he got angry with Narada; and, on meeting with the sage, addressed him (as follows), his lips quivering through rage. Daksa said : Ah, appearing in the garb of a holy man, O wicked one, you have done a (great) disservice to our youngsters-who were (all) virtuous-in that you showed them the path of a mendicant. You have ruined their interests, O sinful one, in both the worlds (here as well as hereafter), while they had not yet been exonerated from their threefold obligations, nor had they pondered over the futility of (worldly) activities (and were thus unqualified for taking to the path of renunciation). Mercilessly unsettling in this way the mind of youngsters (intent on promoting the righteous cause of creation), you have tarnished the fair name of the Lord, and (yet) you shamelessly move in the midst (count as one) of His attendants ! Barring you-who have trampled (our) love and actually shown enmity (even) to us, who are not enemies-the votaries of the Lord are undoubtedly ever anxious to shower their grace on (all) living beings.Vairagya (freedom from attachment to the world) cannot be engendered in the mind of the people in this way by you, who have assumed the guise of an ascetic without true wisdom, even though you regard (Vairagya as conducive to quietism and) quietism as a means of cutting asunder the bonds of attachment. (For) a man cannot realize the bitterness (painful consequences) of the pleasures of sense without tasting them. (Therefore) he whose mind has been unsettled by others would not feel disgusted with the world so fully as he might of his own accord (through such realization). We (quietly) put up with the wrong which you did to us, householders, vowed to the performance of rituals and intent on achieving heavenly bliss, even though the wrong was such as could not be easily forgotten. (Yet) inasmuch as you have done an offence against us for a second time. 0 fool responsible for breaking the continuity of our race, therefore, you will have no halt as you wander through the spheres. Sri Suka went on : The sage Narada, who was esteemed (even) by the virtuous, accepted the curse (pronounced by Daksa) with the words °Very well !" That he who is himself powerful (enough to retaliate by uttering a counter-curse), should put- up with another's offence, this alone entitles a man to the title of a pious soul. Thus ends the fifth discourse, entitled "Narada subjected to an execration,in Book Six of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.