Copyright © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
| Canto 6: Prescribed Duties for Mankind | Chapter 5: Nārada Muni Cursed by Prajāpati Daksha |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 6.5.44
titiksheteśvarah svayam
SYNONYMS
śrī-śukah uvāca — Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; pratijagrāha — accepted; tat — that; bādham — so be it; nāradah — Nārada Muni; sādhu-sammatah — who is an approved sādhu; etāvān — this much; sādhu-vādah — appropriate for a saintly person; hi — indeed; titiksheta — he may tolerate; īśvarah — although able to curse Prajāpati Daksha; svayam — himself.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, since Nārada Muni is an approved saintly person, when cursed by Prajāpati Daksha he replied, "tad bādham: Yes, what you have said is good. I accept this curse." He could have cursed Prajāpati Daksha in return, but because he is a tolerant and merciful sādhu, he took no action.
PURPORT
As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.21):
"The symptoms of a sādhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime." Because Nārada Muni is the most elevated of sādhus, devotees, to deliver Prajāpati Daksha he silently tolerated the curse. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has taught this principle to all His devotees:
taror api sahishnunā
amāninā mānadena
[Cc. adi 17.31]
"One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and should be ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly." Following the orders of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, one who preaches the glories of the Lord all over the world or all over the universe should be humbler than grass and more tolerant than a tree because a preacher cannot live an easygoing life. Indeed, a preacher must face many impediments. Not only is he sometimes cursed, but sometimes he must also suffer personal injury. For example, when Nityānanda Prabhu went to preach Krishna consciousness to the two roguish brothers Jagāi and Mādhāi, they injured Him and made His head bleed, but nevertheless, He tolerantly delivered the two rogues, who became perfect Vaishnavas. This is the duty of a preacher. Lord Jesus Christ even tolerated crucifixion. Therefore the curse against Nārada was not very astonishing, and he tolerated it.
Now, it may be asked why Nārada Muni stayed in the presence of Prajāpati Daksha and tolerated all his accusations and curses. Was that for Daksha's deliverance? The answer is yes. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Thākura says that after being insulted by Prajāpati Daksha, Nārada Muni should have left immediately, but he purposely stayed to hear all Daksha's strong words so that Daksha might be relieved of his anger. Prajāpati Daksha was not an ordinary man; he had accumulated the results of many pious activities. Therefore Nārada Muni expected that after delivering his curse, Daksha, satisfied and freed from anger, would repent his misbehavior and thus get a chance to become a Vaishnava and be delivered. When Jagāi and Mādhāi offended Lord Nityānanda, Lord Nityānanda stood tolerantly, and therefore both brothers fell at His lotus feet and repented. Consequently they later became perfect Vaishnavas.
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Sixth Canto, Fifth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. entitled "Nārada Muni Cursed by Prajāpati Daksha."
Copyright © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness