The Narada Purana begins with the words “First one should pray to Nara and Narayan the best of humans. One should also pray to Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, and then only start reading the sacred texts known as Jaya.” Jaya was the original name of the Mahabharata and initially referred to that text alone. Later it was used collectively for all the Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Nara and Narayan were avatars of Vishnu.
Lomaharshana recited the Narada Purana to the assembly of sages during the sacrifice held at the forest of Naimisharanya. Lomaharshana first explained that this Purana is called the Narada Purana because Narada first recited it.
Narada
Brahma had four sons Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumar and Sanatana. They were granted eternal youth. One day he four sons of Brahma had just completed their morning ablutions in the River Sita when Narada passed by. The four sons paid their respects to Narada and then Sanatkumar said, “Respected Sage, you are an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Please tell us how we can meditate so as to be blessed by the Supreme God.”
Narada then explained the practices that one has to adopt while praying to Vishnu. He illustrated this with examples of great kings and sages. In all Narada recited twenty-five thousand couplets that constitute the Narada Purana.
Mrikandu and Markandeya
One very important aspect of praying to Vishnu is that the prayers must not be to seek power or to assist in serving evil designs. Narada explained this through the narrative of Mrikandu and Markandeya.
Once Sage Mrikandu was engaged in severe penance. The Devas were worried that he might ask for some boon and become so powerful that he may displace them from their exalted position. Hence they voiced their concerns before Vishnu. Vishnu knew that Mrikandu was a pious person without any ulterior aspirations. Nevertheless he thought it wise to investigate the matter.
Vishnu appeared before Mrikandu and told him to ask for a boon. Mrikandu explained that the purpose of his penance was to be able to perceive the Supreme Being and now his desire was fulfilled. Hence Mrikandu refused to ask for a boon. Vishnu said that he would not leave without giving something lest people say that he did not grant a boon to his devotee. He told Mrikandu that he would be born as Mrikandu’s son.
Soon this came true. The son was named Markandeya. Markandeya became a great scholar in his own right and composed the Markandeya Purana. When the periodic deluge took place and life on earth was annihilated, Vishnu saved Markandeya, so that he could spread righteousness when the new creation began.
Eternal Bliss
One of the most important concepts in Hinduism is “eternal bliss” or moksha. The Narada Purana throws some light on this.
The first step in the attainment of bliss is good actions. Good actions give rise to faith. Faith then becomes the bedrock of true knowledge. True knowledge leads to the realization that there is no difference between oneself and other living beings. Bliss is normally defined as the realization that there is no difference between oneself and God and the corollary is that there is no difference between oneself and others. The Narada Purana emphasizes the corollary because it provides the definition of the sort of person who can attain bliss. That person should not feel hatred or anger, should be compassionate towards all, should not be addicted to sensory pleasures and should always meditate on Vishnu.
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