Daksha cursed Narada ji!

( From- Bhagavata Purana)

King Parikshit was curious to know the details of creation, how and with what power the Supreme Lord brought for the subsequent creation. Thus he said, ‘O revered sage! Tell me in detail about that creation which I desired to know from you alone!’

Hearing the wonderful query from the Royal sage Parikshit, the venerable sage spoke unto him, ‘Listen, O king of Kings! ———-

With the intention of expanding his lineage, Daksha Prajapati begot through wife Aksini (daughter of Prajapati Panchajana also known as Panchajani) ten thousand sons called Haryasvas. He asked his sons to lead a householder's life and continue to beget children. All the Haryasvas were learned and virtuous. Being obedient, they carried out their father’s order and set forth to western direction. At last they reached a lake called Narayana Saras, where river Sindhu joins the sea. At the very touch of that sacred lake they were immediately drawn to the spiritual ambiance and their minds were attracted by the ascetic lifestyle of Paramahansas! When they practised severe austerities, then at that time celestial sage Narada reached there. 

The muni said, ‘Oh Haryasvas! How is that without knowing anything about married life, about knowing the limits of earth, you wish to create progeny? The whole effort would be futile without knowing the true self of the Supreme Lord who controls everything! This earth is that place where the subtle body causes pleasure, pain, merits, demerits and many more like an agricultural farm yielding varieties of cereals! Entangled with three gunas like- satva, raja and tamah, man forgets the consciousness and about existence of the Supreme Soul which is independent, self-manifested and controls everything! A person does not go through this life-cycle of repeated birth and death after attaining to the self- illuminating Brahman within him! One should never be attached to this worldly pleasure- a hurdle to the path of Moksha! Renouncing all the karmas, one should follow the spiritual path!

Narada muni advised them to follow the principles of renunciation by observing hard penances and chanting the hymns of Lord Vishnu! Being convinced with Narada muni’s speech, the Haryasvas went to the path of liberation and they never returned back!

Hearing the disappearance of his good children, Daksha’s heart was filled with grief. Lord Brahma consoled him to try another chance. Once again, Daksha begot 1000 sons from Panchajani.  They were called Sabalasva. Like their elder brothers, Sabalasvas were also commanded by their father to beget progeny. In a similar manner, they went to the sacred lake Narayana where their elder brother attained liberation! They followed rigid vows and severe penances near the lake. The sage Narada met those sons of Daksha also and spoke to them in the same way as he told their elder brothers. He convinced them the ethic sense of a good child how to follow the path trodden by their elder brothers! Having controlled their mind, they went for final liberation and never returned back!

Prajapati Daksha was shocked to receive this inauspicious news of his thousand sons! He was overwhelmed with grief! Knowing the consequences of his own karma, Narada muni approached Daksha Prajapati. Beholding the celestial sage, Daksha lost his temper! He became furious thinking Narada ruined the life of his sons before they could do their duties of procreation!

Enraged Daksha said, ‘O Wretch! Pretending as a holy man, you have already done enough harm to my sons! You have ruined the lives of my good children! I wished my sons to create progeny but you spoiled everything! You misguided them by showing the path of mendicants! Before knowing the value of Karma, they were deprived of the bliss in both the worlds- here and hereafter, as they have not repaid their debts to the Sages, manes and gods. 

O sinful person! You have destroyed the continuity of my race. I curse you that you could never settle in one place! You will never get a permanent resting place while wandering through the whole universe!’ 

Narada muni was a noble, pious man. Smilingly he accepted the curse saying, ‘So it be!’ He had that power to retaliate but being a noble sage he simply accepted his brother’s curse!

He was cursed but the curse became a blessing in disguise! He was the only one who could travel anywhere, anytime! He could travel in both the material and spiritual world, transmitting them transcendental messages! 

He is widely known as a mischief-maker and a quarrel-monger but whatever mischief he made, the ultimate result was beneficial and good for others! He is one of the greatest devotees of Lord Vishnu! Yes, he is known as a travelling musician and excellent story-teller. He is the one who always carries the news (good or bad) and enlightening wisdom! Everytime a curse is not bad, sometimes a curse turns into a blessing in disguise!