Kartik Mahatmya Adhyay 14: Narad Ji and the Missing Jewel

This is Adhyay 14 of the Kartik Mahatmya. Lord Shiva sends Narad ji to Jalandhar's court for the sake of the devas. Narad ji describes the glory of Kailash, praises Jalandhar's wealth and then tells him one jewel is missing. Greed wakes in Jalandhar's heart, and this is where his end begins.

The full list is on the Kartik Mahatmya Katha page.

संक्षेप में: शिवजी के भेजे नारद जी जलंधर की सभा में पहुँचे और कहा कि तुम्हारे पास एक रत्न नहीं है। यहीं से जलंधर के अंत का आरंभ हुआ। पूरा लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें →

The story

The devas were deeply unhappy. Indra and the others prayed to Lord Shiva, who fulfils the wishes of his devotees. Shiva ji called Narad ji and sent him to do this work for the devas.

Narad ji arrived at Jalandhar's court. Jalandhar washed his feet, seated him with respect and asked where he had come from and how he could serve him. Narad ji said he had come from Mount Kailash. There he had seen a forest of kalpavriksha trees spreading over ten thousand yojanas, hundreds of Kamadhenu cows and a golden world shining with chintamani jewels.

There he had also seen Lord Shiva with Mata Parvati. The Lord had three eyes, a fair form and the moon on his forehead. Narad ji said he had begun to wonder whether anyone else in the three worlds had such splendour.

Hearing this, Jalandhar proudly showed Narad ji all that he owned. Narad ji praised it. Jalandhar had the swan chariot of Brahma ji, the elephant Airavat, the horse Uchchaihshrava, the kalpavriksha and the treasure of Kuber. He truly was lord of the three worlds, Narad ji said.

Then came the words that changed everything. Narad ji told the daitya king that he still lacked one jewel, and without it all this splendour was dull. Greed and delusion rose in Jalandhar's heart. He asked where this jewel was. Narad ji pointed toward Kailash, where Jagadamba Parvati dwells with Lord Shiva. His work done, he left by the path of the sky.

Narad ji knew that anyone who casts an evil eye on Jagadamba is sure to be destroyed. The chapter says this is where the end of Jalandhar began.

The teaching of this chapter

Jalandhar already had everything Narad ji could name, and still one remark was enough to unsettle him. The chapter's lesson is that a person who has everything and still looks at what belongs to someone else calls his own ruin upon himself. Contentment is the greatest wealth.

Frequently asked questions

Who sent Narad ji to Jalandhar?
Lord Shiva sent him, after Indra and the other devas prayed to him in their distress.

What did Narad ji say he saw on Kailash?
A forest of kalpavriksha trees across ten thousand yojanas, hundreds of Kamadhenu cows, a golden world shining with chintamani jewels, and Lord Shiva with Mata Parvati.

What treasures did Jalandhar have?
Narad ji names the swan chariot of Brahma ji, the elephant Airavat, the horse Uchchaihshrava, the kalpavriksha and the treasure of Kuber.

What was the missing jewel?
When Jalandhar asked where it was, Narad ji pointed toward Kailash, where Jagadamba Parvati dwells with Lord Shiva.

Why did Narad ji say this to Jalandhar?
He had been sent for the devas' work, and he knew that whoever casts an evil eye on Jagadamba is sure to be destroyed.

Previous chapter: Adhyay 12 and 13: Lord Vishnu Battles Jalandhar