Narad Muni was a Vedic sage and devotee of Lord Vishnu who travelled spreading wisdom and news. Known as the first journalist, he knew all news from around the universe and was considered a messenger of the gods. Narad tempted Rishi Valmiki to write the Ramayana by narrating the story of Lord Rama. He played an important role in the Mahabharata by advising Yudhisthir on dharma during the Pandavas' exile. Narad Jayanti is celebrated as Patrakar Diwas or Journalist's Day in honor of Narad's role as a precursor to modern journalists.

1. NARAD MUNI : The First Journalist on Earth
Compiled By : Pratyush Mondal

2. Who is Narad Muni?
•Dev Rishi Narad or Narad Muni is the son of Brahma
•He is a Vedic sage and a devotee of Lord Vishnu
•A travelling musician, storyteller who carried news and enlightening wisdom
•He appears in various Hindu texts alike Ramayana, Mahabharata as well as
in the mythologies of the Puranas
•He is depicted carrying Khartal and Veena
•He is famous for singing songs and “Narayan-Narayan” chants in praise of
Lord Vishnu
•He is termed as the first journalist on Earth.

3. Narad Muni: The Journalist Among Sages
•He is known for gossiping and knows all the news from around the
universe.
•He is also known for creating fights among people by spicing up facts.
•He is known as the Messenger of the Gods.
•If you have watched and noticed him in TV serials (you certainly did), you
may have seen his appearance made out to be that of a reporter and public
relations management expert.
•His visits are always with a purpose; he always enters the scene with his
Veena (instrument) chanting Narayan-Narayan (Salutations to Vishnu,
Maintainer among the Trinity).

4. •Although famous for appearing at the right moment at the right place, he
was equally infamous for never keeping a secret safe.
•He has many devotees in the world of communications; they revere him as
their Guru.
•He also tempted Rishi Valmiki to write the Ramayana. Only when Narad
narrated the story of Lord Rama, the perfect man and the other events of
Ramayana, did Valmiki agree to pen down the great epic as a poem.
•He is often believed to be a master of 64 Vidyas : A legendary figure, this
sage was an institution in itself! His greatest skill was to convey certain
ideas (of his liking, of course) to perfection. He was a mobile encyclopedia.
•Narad is regarded as the ‘mind’ of God. He could always anticipate what
God was planning.
•Narad is also known for his “Bhakti Sutras” which tells about several
natures of “Bhakti” , the methods by which Bhakti can be practiced and
developed and how “Bhakti” is superior to Karma & Yoga etc.

5. •He played an important role in the Mahabharata too: Narad is said to have
accompanied the Pandavas in their exile. He was the one who showed Yudhisthir
the right path of Dharma.
•He is credited with having taught humans, the importance of living a righteous
life as he was passionate about spreading the importance of devotion and faith.
•There is a temple in Karnataka dedicated to him.
In the hamlet of Chitageri, you will find a beautiful island in the Krishna
River. This island is called Korva and is popularly known as Naradgadde.

6. Narad Jayanti : “Patrakar Diwas”
Narad Jayanti is commemorated on the day after full moon
day in Vaishakh month i.e. April or May. Sage Narad is a
precursor of modern day journalist and mass
communicator. So the day is also called ‘Patrakar Diwas’
and is celebrated in this form across the country.

7. References
Facts & Figures :
•Narad Muni the Divine Messenger - Om Books Editorial Team
•Speaking Tree (http://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/the-legacy-of-narad-
muni)
•Topyaps (http://topyaps.com/facts-about-narad-muni)
•Festivals of India (http://www.festivalsofindia.in/NaradJayanti/)
Illustrations & Images :
•Google Images
•Wikipedia
•Speaking Tree
•The Hindu FAQs
•Free Press Journal