Changes

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

'''Narada''' ([[Sanskrit]]: नारद, Nārada) is a Vedic sage, famous in Hindu traditions as a traveling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom.<ref name="novetzke222">Christian Lee Novetzke (2003), [http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/375037 Divining an Author: The Idea of Authorship in an Indian Religious Tradition], History of Religions, Vol. 42, No. 3, page 222</ref><ref name="lochtefeld461">{{cite book|author=James G. Lochtefeld|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=g6FsB3psOTIC |year=2002|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|isbn= 978-0-8239-3180-4|pages=461 }}</ref> He appears in a number of Hindu texts, notably the [[Mahabharata]] and the [[Ramayana]] and the [[Puranas]].

'''Narada''' ([[Sanskrit]]: नारद, Nārada) is a Vedic sage, famous in Hindu traditions as a traveling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom.<ref name="novetzke222">Christian Lee Novetzke (2003), [http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/375037 Divining an Author: The Idea of Authorship in an Indian Religious Tradition], History of Religions, Vol. 42, No. 3, page 222</ref><ref name="lochtefeld461">{{cite book|author=James G. Lochtefeld|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=g6FsB3psOTIC |year=2002|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|isbn= 978-0-8239-3180-4|pages=461 }}</ref> He appears in a number of Dharmic texts, notably the [[Mahabharata]], the [[Ramayana]] and the [[Puranas]].

In Dharmic texts, Narada travels to distant worlds and realms (Sanskrit ''[[loka]]s''). He is depicted carrying a [[khartal]] and [[Veena]] with the name Mahathi and is generally regarded as one of the great masters of the ancient musical instrument. This instrument is known by the name  "mahathi"<ref>{{cite news|last=Guy|first=Randor|title=Bhaktha Naradar 1942|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/07/31/stories/2010073151750700.htm|accessdate=9 October 2011|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=31 July 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://vedabase.net/sb/1/5/1/en1 Bhag-P 1.5.1] Narada is addressed as 'Vina-panih', meaning "one who carries a vina in his hand"</ref> which he uses to accompany his singing of [[hymn]]s, [[prayer]]s and [[mantra]]s. In the [[Vaishnavism]] tradition of Hinduism, he is presented as a sage with [[bhakti|devotion]] to Lord [[Vishnu]]. Narada is described as both wise and mischievous, in humorous tales. Vaishnav enthusiasts depict him as a pure, elevated soul who glorifies Vishnu through his devotional songs, singing the names ''[[Hari]]'' and ''[[Narayana]]'', and therein demonstrating [[bhakti yoga]]. The [[Narada Bhakti Sutra]] is attributed to him.

In Dharmic texts, Narada travels to distant worlds and realms (Sanskrit ''[[loka]]s''). He is depicted carrying a [[khartal]] and [[Veena]] with the name Mahathi and is generally regarded as one of the great masters of the ancient musical instrument. This instrument is known by the name  "mahathi"<ref>{{cite news|last=Guy|first=Randor|title=Bhaktha Naradar 1942|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/07/31/stories/2010073151750700.htm|accessdate=9 October 2011|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=31 July 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://vedabase.net/sb/1/5/1/en1 Bhag-P 1.5.1] Narada is addressed as 'Vina-panih', meaning "one who carries a vina in his hand"</ref> which he uses to accompany his singing of [[hymn]]s, [[prayer]]s and [[mantra]]s. Narada is presented as a sage with [[bhakti|devotion]] to Lord [[Vishnu]]. Narada is described as both wise and mischievous, in humorous tales. Vaishnav enthusiasts depict him as a pure, elevated soul who glorifies Vishnu through his devotional songs, singing the names ''[[Hari]]'' and ''[[Narayana]]'' and '''therein demonstrating [[bhakti yoga]]'''. (delete) The [[Narada Bhakti Sutra]] is attributed to him.

{{Vaishnavism}}

{{Vaishnavism}}

Other texts named after Narada include [[Narada Purana]] and the [[Nāradasmṛti]] (pre 6th century CE text), the latter called the "juridical text par excellence" and represents the only [[Dharmaśāstra]] text which deals solely with juridical matters and ignoring those of righteous conduct and penance.<ref>Lariviere 1989: ix</ref>

Other texts named after Narada include [[Narada Purana]] and the [[Nāradasmṛti]], the latter called the "juridical text par excellence" and represents the only [[Dharmaśāstra]] text which deals solely with juridical matters and ignoring those of righteous conduct and penance.<ref>Lariviere 1989: ix</ref>

 

The name Narada, referring to many different persons, appears in many mythical legends of [[Hinduism]],<ref>{{cite book|author=Devdutt Pattanaik|title=The Goddess in India: The Five Faces of the Eternal Feminine|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=rjL3ogbdJNkC&pg=PA80 |year=2000|publisher=Inner Traditions |isbn=978-0-89281-807-5|pages=80 }}</ref> as an earlier birth of [[Sariputta]] in the Jataka tales of [[Buddhism]] as well as names of medieval Buddhist scholars,<ref>{{cite book|author=Sarah Shaw|title=THE JATAKAS: Birth Stories of Bodhisatta|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Ay4WFGQtSy0C&pg=PT497 |year=2006|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=978-81-8475-034-8 |pages=497 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Martin Ramstedt|title=Hinduism in Modern Indonesia|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=-rBhGEN0RyYC |year=2005| publisher=Routledge| isbn=978-1-135-79052-3 |pages=50 }}</ref> and in [[Jainism]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Helmuth von Glasenapp|title=Jainism: An Indian Religion of Salvation|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=WzEzXDk0v6sC |year=1999|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn= 978-81-208-1376-2|pages=273 with footnotes}}</ref>

==Mahabharata==

==Mahabharata==

The Mahabharata explains Narada's qualifications and experience in vivid detail - He was conversant with the [[Vedas]] and the [[Upanishads]] and was acquainted with history and Puranas. He had thorough knowledge of the six Angas - Pronunciation, grammar, prosody, explanation of basic terms, description of religious rites and astronomy. All celestial beings worshiped him for his knowledge - he is supposed to be well versed in all that occurred in ancient Kalpas (time cycles) and is termed to be conversant with Nyaya (logic) and the truth of moral science. He was a perfect master in re-conciliatory texts and differentiating in applying general principles to particular cases. He could swiftly interpret contraries by references to differences in situation. He was eloquent, resolute, intelligent and possessor of powerful memory. He knew the science of morals, politics, skilled in drawing inference from evidence, and very proficient in distinguishing inferior things from superior ones. He was competent in judging the correctness and incorrectness of complex syllogistic statements consisting of 5 proponents. He was capable of arriving at definite conclusions about religion, wealth, pleasure and salvation. He possessed knowledge of this whole universe, above it, below it and everything surrounding it. He was capable of answering successively at [[Vrihaspati]] himself, while arguing. He was the master of the Sankhya and Yoga systems of philosophy, conversant with sciences of war and treaty and proficient in drawing conclusions of judging things not within a direct knowledge. He knew about the six sciences of treaty, war, military campaigns, maintenance of posts against the enemy and strategies of ambushes and reserves. He was a thorough master of every branch of learning. He was fond of war and music and was incapable of being repulsed by any science or any course of action.<ref>The Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa Volume 1 Books 1, 2 and 3, Section XII</ref>

The Mahabharata explains Narada's qualifications and experience in vivid detail. Narada:

* was conversant with the [[Vedas]] and the [[Upanishads]] and Itihasa and the Puranas.  

* thorough knowledge of the six Angas - ''Pronunciation, grammar, prosody, explanation of basic terms, description of religious rites'' and ''astronomy.''

* was worshiped by all celestial beings for his knowledge.

* was well versed in all that occurred in ancient Kalpas (time cycles)  

* was conversant with Nyaya (logic) and the truth of moral science.  

* was a perfect master in re-conciliatory texts and differentiating in applying general principles to particular cases.  

* could swiftly interpret contraries by references to differences in situation.  

* was eloquent, resolute, intelligent and possessor of powerful memory.  

* knew the science of morals, politics, skilled in drawing inference from evidence, and very proficient in distinguishing inferior things from superior ones.  

* was competent in judging the correctness and incorrectness of complex syllogistic statements consisting of 5 proponents.  

* was capable of arriving at definite conclusions about religion, wealth, pleasure and salvation.  

* possessed knowledge of this whole universe, above it, below it and everything surrounding it.  

* was capable of answering successively at [[Vrihaspati]] himself, while arguing.  

* was the master of the Sankhya and Yoga systems of philosophy,  

* was conversant with sciences of war and treaty and proficient in drawing conclusions of judging things not within a direct knowledge.  

* knew about the six sciences of treaty, war, military campaigns, maintenance of posts against the enemy and strategies of ambushes and reserves.  

* was a thorough master of every branch of learning.  

* was fond of war and music and was incapable of being repulsed by any science or any course of action.

==Puranas==

==Puranas==

The [[Bhagavata Purana]] describes the story of Narada's spiritual enlightenment: He was the primary source of information among Gods, and is believed to be the first journalist on Earth. He claimed to have 60 wives. In his previous birth Narada was a [[Gandharva]] (angelic being) who had been cursed to be born on an earthly planet as a sudra for singing glories to the demigods instead of the Supreme Lord.<ref>Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.72</ref> He was born as the son of a maid-servant of some particularly [[saint]]ly priests ([[Brahmin]]s). The priests, being pleased with both his and his mother's service, blessed him by allowing him to eat some of their food ([[prasad]]), previously offered to their lord, Vishnu.

The [[Bhagavata Purana]] describes the story of Narada's spiritual enlightenment: Narada was the primary source of information among Gods, and is believed to be the first journalist on Earth. He claimed to have 60 wives. In his previous birth Narada was a [[Gandharva]] (angelic being) who had been cursed to be born on an earthly planet as a sudra for singing glories to the demigods instead of the Supreme Lord.<ref>Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.72</ref> He was born as the son of a maid-servant of some particularly [[saint]]ly priests ([[Brahmin]]s). The priests, being pleased with both his and his mother's service, blessed him by allowing him to eat some of their food ([[prasad]]), previously offered to their lord, Vishnu.

Gradually he received further blessings from these sages and heard them discussing many spiritual topics. After his mother died, he decided to roam the forest in search of enlightenment in understanding the 'Supreme Absolute Truth'.

Gradually he received further blessings from these sages and heard them discussing many spiritual topics. After his mother died, he decided to roam the forest in search of enlightenment in understanding the 'Supreme Absolute Truth'.

Reaching a tranquil forest location, after quenching his thirst from a nearby stream, he sat under a tree in meditation ([[yoga]]), concentrating on the [[paramatma]] form of Vishnu within his heart as he had been taught by the priests he had served. After some time Narada experienced a vision wherein Narayan (Vishnu) appeared before him, smiling, and spoke "that despite having the blessing of seeing him at that very moment, Narada would not be able to see his (Vishnu's) divine form again until he died". Narayan further explained that the reason he had been given a chance to see his form was because his beauty and love would be a source of inspiration and would fuel his dormant desire to be with the lord again. After instructing Narada in this manner, Vishnu then disappeared from his sight. The boy awoke from his meditation both thrilled and disappointed.

Reaching a tranquil forest location, after quenching his thirst from a nearby stream, he sat under a tree in meditation ([[yoga]]), concentrating on the [[paramatma]] form of Vishnu within his heart as he had been taught by the priests he had served. After some time Narada experienced a vision wherein Narayana (Vishnu) appeared before him, smiling, and spoke "that despite having the blessing of seeing him at that very moment, Narada would not be able to see his (Vishnu's) divine form again until he died". Narayana further explained that the reason he had been given a chance to see his form was because his beauty and love would be a source of inspiration and would fuel his dormant desire to be with the lord again. After instructing Narada in this manner, Vishnu then disappeared from his sight. The boy awoke from his meditation both thrilled and disappointed.

For the rest of his life Narada focused on his devotion, meditation upon and worship to Vishnu. After his death Vishnu then blessed him with the spiritual form of "Narada" as he eventually became known. In many Hindu scriptures Narada is considered a saktyavesa-avatara or partial-manifestation ([[avatar]]) of God, empowered to perform miraculous tasks on Vishnu's behalf.

For the rest of his life Narada focused on his devotion, meditation upon and worship to Vishnu. After his death Vishnu then blessed him with the spiritual form of "Narada" as he eventually became known. In many Dharmic scriptures Narada is considered a saktyavesa-avatara or partial-manifestation ([[avatar]]) of God, empowered to perform miraculous tasks on Vishnu's behalf.

==Temple==

==Temple==