This chapter of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam recounts the remarkable story of Narada Muni, tracing his spiritual evolution from a simple boy to a revered sage among the gods. Before he became known as Narada—the transcendental sage and eternal messenger of devotion—he lived a very different life. He was neither a sage nor a mystic, but rather the son of a humble maidservant.
The story unfolds when Vyāsadeva, the great sage and compiler of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, expresses a heartfelt curiosity. He turns to Narada and asks a deeply personal question: “Tell me about your past—how did you become who you are?” It’s a question that resonates even today within the modern Vaiṣṇava and ISKCON communities. Often, when we meet someone deeply immersed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, we ask: “How did you join?” It’s a way to understand not just someone’s spiritual commitment, but also their background, struggles, and inspirations.
Narada Muni kindly obliges, beginning his story in a previous life—emphasizing the eternal nature of the path of bhakti (devotion), as described by Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā. In that earlier life, Narada was the young son of a maidservant. She was serving in an āśrama (hermitage) where great sages resided during the four months of the monsoon season. These sages, refraining from travel during this time, would stay in one place and engage in deep spiritual discussions.
The boy, just five years old—as confirmed in the eighth verse of the chapter—was immersed in this sacred environment. He quietly observed the sages, listened to their discourses, and most significantly, accepted their remnants—prasāda, the sanctified food left after the sages had eaten. This seemingly simple act had a profound effect on him. It awakened his spiritual intelligence and opened his heart to the principles of bhakti.
Tragically, his journey takes a painful turn. One day, his mother is bitten by a snake and dies suddenly, leaving him an orphan. We are told nothing of his father, and so, at the tender age of five, he is left alone. However, his prior association with the sages had instilled in him a strength and clarity that would guide him through this sorrow. Rather than being overcome with grief, he draws upon the teachings he absorbed during those months.
One especially touching element of the story is his recollection of his mother’s love. Narada remembers her with deep affection, saying she showered him with all the love she had, as he was her only possession in this world. Although she lacked material wealth or status, she gave him everything she could—her love, her care, and her protection. Her death was a pivotal moment in his life, as it would be for any child, but rather than fall into despair, he saw it as a signal to seek deeper meaning.
Determined, the young boy leaves behind what remains of his home and embarks on a journey to the forests, mountains, and rivers in search of the Supreme Lord. It marks the beginning of his path as a seeker, a path that would ultimately lead him to his exalted position as Narada Muni.
This story is not only a beautiful narrative of transformation and divine destiny; it is also a reminder of the power of spiritual association, the potency of humble service, and the enduring influence of love—even in the most modest circumstances. Narada’s tale continues to inspire, reminding us that the journey to Kṛṣṇa consciousness can begin from the simplest and most unlikely of origins.
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