These Mythology stories teach morals and values.

In the ancient realms of the universe, where the gods, sages, and celestial beings lived, there existed a remarkable person known as Sage Narada. Born to the supreme creator, Lord Brahma, and the goddess of knowledge Sarasvati. Narada was no ordinary sage. He was blessed with extraordinary abilities, allowing him to travel freely across the cosmos. With his trusty musical instrument, the Veena, and a pair of cymbals called Karatala, Narada would journey from world to world, singing hymns in praise of the divine and spreading wisdom wherever he went.

Narada’s nature was lively, and he was known for his cheerful disposition and mischievous charm. His presence was often felt as he flitted between the realms of gods and men, a messenger of divine will and a seeker of truth. Yet, despite his jovial nature, there came a time when Narada found himself troubled. He felt a deep sense of incompleteness, a haunting void within that his vast knowledge and accomplishments could not fill.

Sage Narada, despite being a learned and wise figure, found himself in a state of sorrow. He had studied the Vedas—the sacred texts that contained the deepest wisdom of the universe. He was familiar with the Puranas, which narrated the ancient stories of gods, kings, and sages. Not only that, but Narada also possessed mastery over various arts such as archery, fortune-telling, snake charming, and even perfume-making.

Yet, even with all this wisdom and skill, Narada felt there was something he was missing. He knew many things about the external world but lacked a true understanding of the Atman, the inner self, and the profound happiness, Ananda, that comes from realizing this knowledge.

This realization weighed heavily on his heart. He wondered how he could have learned so much, traveled so far, and interacted with divine beings, yet still be devoid of the ultimate joy that comes from self-realization. It was at this juncture that Narada decided to seek guidance from someone who could show him the path to true happiness—Bhoomananda—the bliss that transcends all limitations.

Narada knew that he had to approach someone who could give him insight beyond what he already knew. That person was his brother, the great sage Sanatkumara. Sanatkumara, like Narada, was a son of Brahma, but he was not born in the conventional sense. He, along with his brothers Sanaka, Sanandana, and Sanatana, was born from the mental powers of Brahma. These four brothers were known as the Kumaras, beings who chose a life of eternal celibacy and spiritual wisdom.

The four Kumaras were revered for their deep understanding of the soul and the eternal truths of the universe. They lived quiet, contemplative lives, constantly engaged in meditation and prayer. Among them, Sanatkumara was renowned as a great teacher who had the power to guide others toward enlightenment.

With his mind heavy with questions, Narada approached Sanatkumara one day, bowing respectfully before him.

“Brother,” Narada said earnestly, “I come to you in need of wisdom. I have traveled far and wide, and I have studied many things, but despite all my knowledge, I have not found true Ananda. I have heard that you possess the knowledge that can lead to this eternal bliss. Please, teach me the path to attain Ananda.”

Sanatkumara looked at his younger brother with compassion. He could see that Narada was sincere in his quest for truth and was ready to take the next step in his spiritual journey. However, before offering any instruction, Sanatkumara wanted to assess what Narada already knew.

“Tell me, Narada,” Sanatkumara said calmly, “what knowledge do you already possess? What have you learned so far in your studies Narada?”

Narada then told all that he had studied. He recounted his knowledge of the Vedas, the Puranas, and the various arts he had mastered. He spoke of his understanding of rituals, philosophy, and even practical skills like archery and fortune-telling.

When Narada finished, Sanatkumara smiled and said, “The vast knowledge you have accumulated, from the sacred Vedas to the art of making perfumes, is certainly impressive. However, all of these are merely Nama-matra—they are only names. This knowledge, while valuable in its own right, can only take you so far on the spiritual path. To attain Ananda, you must go beyond these names and external forms.”

Sanatkumara explained to Narada that in order to achieve true happiness and fulfillment, one must cultivate certain essential qualities. The first of these was Shraddha—a deep sense of respect and faith in the pursuit of higher knowledge. Without Shraddha, it would be impossible to remain dedicated to the spiritual path.

Next came Nishttha—the quality of unwavering dedication and focus. Sanatkumara emphasized that a seeker must remain steadfast in their pursuit of truth, undistracted by worldly pleasures or temporary gains.

Finally, the most important quality was Vijijnasa—the intense desire to know the truth. It was not enough to passively learn from books or teachers; one had to actively seek and yearn for the understanding of the deeper, spiritual truths.

Narada listened attentively, realizing that while he had accumulated vast knowledge, he had not fully developed these qualities within himself.

Sanatkumara continued, “Narada, true happiness, or Sukha, does not come from Alpa—the feeling of being limited or confined by the material world. When one identifies too strongly with the finite, with their possessions, their status, or even their limited knowledge, they cannot experience the boundless joy that the soul is capable of.

“To attain Ananda, one must seek Bhooma—the infinite, the boundless. It is in this state of limitlessness, where one is no longer tied to the narrow confines of individuality, that true joy resides. This is Bhoomananda, the happiness that comes from unity with the infinite.”

Sanatkumara explained that this Bhoomananda was not merely a state of accumulating more knowledge or power, but rather a profound realization that one is part of the entire cosmos, connected to everything and everyone. It was a state where the boundaries between the self and the universe dissolved, and in that unity, one experienced the ultimate bliss.

“Those who attain this state of Bhoomananda,” Sanatkumara said, “are no longer touched by death, sickness, or sorrow. They transcend the limitations of the body and mind, and in doing so, they realize their true nature as eternal beings of pure consciousness.”

Hearing his brother’s words, Narada felt a great sense of peace wash over him. He now understood that the knowledge he had been seeking was not something that could be learned from Vedas or rituals. It was a state of being, a realization of the infinite nature of the self.

With his heart lighter and his mind clearer, Narada bowed deeply to Sanatkumara, expressing his gratitude.

“Thank you, brother,” Narada said. “You’ve helped me find real happiness, I am eternally grateful.”

From that day onward, Narada no longer felt the void within himself. He knew that the path to true bliss lay not in the accumulation of more knowledge or possessions but in the realization of the infinite nature of the self and the universe.

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Moral of the story:

The story of Narada’s quest for Bhoomananda teaches us that while knowledge and worldly accomplishments are valuable, they are not enough to bring lasting happiness. True fulfillment comes from realizing our connection to the infinite, from transcending the limitations of the material world and embracing the boundless joy that lies within.

The qualities of Shraddha, Nishttha, and Vijijnasa are essential for any seeker who wishes to attain this state of eternal bliss. Through dedication, faith, and the deep desire to know the truth, we too can experience the joy of Bhoomananda.