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Book review
The divine sage Narada is the most popular figure in Puranic lore. No event of significance takes place in the Puranas that Narada does not have a hand in. He is depicted as a messenger always on the move, visiting the devas, the manavas and the asuras and honoured by all. Although Narada is always referred to with respect in mythology, he is often misunderstood and ridiculed by the common people as a carrier of tales and a mischief-maker. However, Narada’s so-called mischief invariably brings about the downfall of the wicked and furthers the cause of the good. A great devotee of Vishnu, he is credited with the invention of the Veena – a musical instrument, the authorship of the code of laws and of ‘Narada Bhakti Sutra’ (aphorisms on devotion). The three tales included here are based on the Shiva Purana and other popular legends. They tell us how Narada, although a divine sage, at times falls prey to temptation and became conceited. Fortunately for Narada, Vishnu was beside him to pull him up every time he succumbed to human weakness. Gradually, Narada became free from human failings and attained true equanimity of mind.
The divine sage Narada is the most popular figure in Puranic lore. No event of significance takes place in the Puranas that Narada does not have a hand in. He is depicted as a messenger always on the move, visiting the devas, the manavas and the asuras and honoured by all. Although Narada is always referred to with respect in mythology, he is often misunderstood and ridiculed by the common people as a carrier of tales and a mischief-maker. However, Narada’s so-called mischief invariably brings about the downfall of the wicked and furthers the cause of the good. A great devotee of Vishnu, he is credited with the invention of the Veena – a musical instrument, the authorship of the code of laws and of ‘Narada Bhakti Sutra’ (aphorisms on devotion). The three tales included here are based on the Shiva Purana and other popular legends. They tell us how Narada, although a divine sage, at times falls prey to temptation and became conceited. Fortunately for Narada, Vishnu was beside him to pull him up every time he succumbed to human weakness. Gradually, Narada became free from human failings and attained true equanimity of mind.
Amar Chitra Katha
The Great Hindi Poets - By Anant Pai
Soordas, the blind bard of Brij, is considered the Valmiki of Brij (a dialect of Hindi), not only because he was the first poet to write...more>>
Soordas, the blind bard of Brij, is considered the Valmiki of Brij (a dialect of Hindi), not only because he was the first poet to write...more>>
Tales of Birbal - By Anant Pai
Who hasn’t heard of Raja Birbal – the wise and witty minister in the court of Akbar, the Great Mughal Though popularly known as Bir...more>>
Who hasn’t heard of Raja Birbal – the wise and witty minister in the court of Akbar, the Great Mughal Though popularly known as Bir...more>>
Tales from the Panchatantra - By Anant Pai
The original Sanskrit text of the Panchatantra was probably written about 200 B.C. by the great scholar, Vishnu Sharma. But some...more>>
The original Sanskrit text of the Panchatantra was probably written about 200 B.C. by the great scholar, Vishnu Sharma. But some...more>>
Tales from the Jatakas - By Anant Pai
All living creatures die to be born again, so the Hindus believe. The Buddha was no exception. Legend has it that several lifeti...more>>
All living creatures die to be born again, so the Hindus believe. The Buddha was no exception. Legend has it that several lifeti...more>>
Tales from the Hitopadesha - By Anant Pai
The Panchatantra was written by Pandit Vishnu Sharma between the second and third centuries B.C., but Hitopadesha, came much lat...more>>
The Panchatantra was written by Pandit Vishnu Sharma between the second and third centuries B.C., but Hitopadesha, came much lat...more>>