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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/03/11/stories/2002031100470800.htm)

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

Sage Narada's curse on Lord Narayana

 

 

CHENNAI, March 11. On certain occasions, some of us may remain unconcerned about

even abuses hurled at us but human tendency is such that our attention will

certainly be drawn when praise is showered. Gloating over our act, we will blow

our trumpet. Though men of astute wisdom may remain unmoved, yet some among them

too were seen puffed with pride. A sage who was able to resist temptation, once

allowed a huge tree of pride to sprout in his heart. As God never allows His

devotees to get lost under such circumstances, He conceived a plan to make him

realise his mistake. This episode is contained in the Ramacharitamanasa, the

Hindi version of the Ramayana. Sri Tulasidas, its composer, saw God in Rama and

wrote his work from that point of view. The Lord in heaven chose to incarnate to

re-establish moral order and punish miscreants, who had been hindering the

spiritual progress of the virtuous persons. Poets had sung the story of each

incarnation of the Lord in different ways. Tu!

lasidas mentions the reason for God assuming a human form, undergoing hardships

and taking the help of monkeys. These relate to a curse pronounced on the Lord

by Narada..

 

Srimathi Jaya Srinivasan, in a discourse, said, in the course of his visits,

Narada came to a sacred spot and started doing penance in the serene atmosphere.

Apprehending that the sage was seeking to usurp his throne, the King of

Celestials sent Manmada (the god of love) to disturb his penance. He tried his

best to divert the sage's attention, but failed.Narada boasted to Siva about his

victory over temptation. Later he visited Lord Narayana and described how he was

able to control his senses. The Lord, devising a plan to curb his pride, created

a city, where the wedding of the princess was to be arranged by "Swayamvara".

Seeing her extraordinary beauty, the sage forgot all his dispassion and

participated in the ceremony, obtaining the gift of beauty from the Lord, hoping

to attract the princess. But the Lord Himself appeared as one of the

participants and won her hand, while in her eyes the sage presented an uncouth

figure. Knowing the Lord's game, Narada cursed the Lord to!

take the help of monkeys and suffer the pangs of separation from His wife. "It

was My will", the Lord submitted, demonstrating His anxiety to promote the

interest of one of His ardent devotees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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