The sage Narada is a very important personality in the Puranas. If one asks what has Narada even done? I will quickly reply with an awe, what hasn’t he done? Well, what hasn’t he done can be implied in a sarcastic manner or in a worthy manner? However, that I propose to leave to the purview of the reader.
Who offended Eshwara was also the work of our foremost sage Narada? Well, in the following paragraphs you will understand that our sage has a style of proceedings.
If one sits on the mountains of Kedarnath and prays piously for the appearance of Eshwara, wont he be pleased? But what is important is who pleases him! And if the one, does it with the intention of having lose morality, then destruction is the order of the universe.
Om Namah Shivaya…Om Namah Shivaya!!
The mountains resonated to the voice of Vrika. He had in his mind only one vision and that was to please the Trinity God Eshwara. After days, he realized that his oral recitations didn’t work with pleasing the Trinity God. He probably expected more. Applying his senseless thoughts, he lit a pyre and stood in front of it. Yet, his verbal prayers didn’t find a suitable place in the heart of Eshwara.
Unable to bear the embarrassment any further, he took out his knife and began peeling his flesh. He offered the flesh into the fire that he had lit before. He bled like a river and yet he didn’t stop.
Unable to bear his atrocity any further, Eshwara appeared before him.
Incapable of assessing the powers of Eshwara, he resorted to asking him a ridiculous boon.
“Parameshwara, grant me the boon of destruction. Anytime I place my hand on the head of someone, their head must break into hundred pieces.”
“Don’t you have anything else to ask me,” Parameshwara questioned in awe.
“This is a wish that I have been longing to ask,” replied Vrika with no penitence whatsoever.
After acquiring the boon, Vrika began to doubt if it would even work. While the Trinity God stood in front of him with resplendent glow, Vrika quickly said, “Parameshwara, you have granted my wish without any stalling. That makes me doubt the chastity of the boon. Hence, I wish to try this right now.”
While Parameshwara looked at him in astonishment, Vrika ran towards him with his palms raised. Foreseeing what was in store, Eshwara fled from the spot. He ran in all directions and penetrated into all the worlds. Yet, the absurd asura ran behind him like a rabid animal. Eshwara found it very difficult to stay out of his sight for long. Left with no other worlds to penetrate and hide, the Trinity God sought refuge under Narayana. He entered the gates of Vaikuntam and narrated to the Lord about the mishappening.
Narayana patiently listened to his predicament and pacified Eshwara.
He assumed the form of a young Brahmacharin. Dressed in a white dhoti, he carried in his arm the twig of the Ashwattha tree. As he walked towards Vrika, the senseless Asura stood in astonishment wondering who the young Brahmacharin could be.
The young boy stood in front of Vrika and smiled tenderly. He said, “oh revered one, you seem to be very exhausted. Why don’t you rest for a while before you can continue your journey?”
The boy continued; “You appear to be deceived by someone. If you feel I am worthy enough to know your worry, I wish to learn all about it. I am a Brahmacharin and my forefathers have preached to me that a man is considered worthy only if he is at the service of others. So pray tell me what worries you at this very instant?”
Wonderstruck by such an accomplished speech Vrika rested as advised. “Dear boy, I am charmed by your sweet words. You are right. I am a naïve devotee of Lord Eshwara. I took to great penance and procured a boon. I insisted on trying it on Eshwara himself but he ran away deceiving me. I want to test his boon before I can proceed any further.”
Like an innocent child, the Brahmacharin questioned again, “What boon did you procure?”
The asura was quick to respond.
The Brahmacharin laughed at the asura like as if he had humiliated him. He said, “You are indeed a foolish man. Haven’t your forefathers advised you that Eshwara’s words are not to be completely believed? He has duped you into believing him.”
Vrika was instantly taken aback. “I took to penance on the advise of Sage Narada. The greatest sage never lies. Parameshwara also granted boons to Ravana. Didn’t he rule prosperously? Your allegations seem to testify falsity,” he said.
The Brahmacharin implored, “In your purview, you believe that your words are wisdom. But do give this a thought, Daksha Prajapathi, the father-in-law of Eshwara never respected him. He dishonored him in front of the entire cosmos. Aren’t you aware of this? And you have vouched that he ran away as soon as you decided to test your newly acquired skill. Isn’t that enough proof?”
Vrika appeared baffled.
“How can anyone not believe the words of sage Narada. And the Trinity God Eshwara! Is the boy right in his thoughts? But, to me he seems like he is the Knower of all. I am sure he has a valid opinion. Let us see what he says next,” pondered Vrika.
The Brahmacharin said, “If you don’t believe my words why don’t you try your boon on yourself? I am sure nothing will happen to you. Wont that solidify your proof against Eshwara? I will join you and we can both travel to all the worlds and find him.”
Narayana’s provocation was enough for the senseless asura to try his newly acquired skill on himself. He placed his palm on his head and it split into hundred pieces and he lay dead.
As the Devas sang praises in the name of the great Lord; he hugged Eshwara and beseeched, “The asura who is dead is a great sinner. I destroyed him because he lacked morality. Through this I importune to the world that anyone who harms the good will meet a drastic end. When I rest the case this way, will I not be angered if my friend Eshwara gets offended?”
In this world, how many Vrikas do we encounter?
At least one every day!
All the Vrikas! Think hard and be careful. Narayana can appear in multi forms and that day even repentance will not work.