SCENE 1: BRAHMALOK
The camera travels through the cosmos with voice-over and enters Brahmalok, where Lord Brahma sits on his lotus seat with eyes closed.
Voice-over: When Lord Brahma created this universe, he also brought forth several Manas Putras (mind-born sons) to help expand it.
(Five Manas Putras appear one by one before Brahma.)
Voice-over: Among these Manas Putras was Devarshi Narad, a highly virtuous, radiant, and learned sage, and an ardent devotee of Lord Narayan. While Lord Brahma wanted all his Manas Putras to contribute to the expansion of the universe, Narad chose the path of devotion instead, ignoring Brahma’s instructions. This angered Brahma, and he cursed Narad with a dreadful curse, the likes of which no one in the world could bear…
Thunder and lightning roar. Brahma opens his eyes and glares at Narad, who becomes terrified.
Brahma (angrily): You have disobeyed me, Narad! Henceforth, you shall no longer be my Manas Putra. Instead, you shall descend to Earth as the son of a servant woman. This is my curse upon you…
All present are terrified. Brahma sprinkles water from his kamandalu on Narad. The force throws Narad down from Brahmalok to Earth. All of Brahma’s sons watch in astonishment. Brahma then closes his eyes again.
Thunder and lightning effects.
Cut to screen text: “Many years later…”
A village on Earth
SCENE 2: DAY / DHARTILOK
NARAD, MAN 1 & 2
We see a desolate place where an old, destitute sage (Devarshi Narad) sits on a platform, playing his veena. His music is filled with sorrow and compassion. (SAD TRACK OF VEENA)
As he plays, his fingers bleed, yet he does not stop. Passersby look at him in astonishment.
Man 1: Who is this extremely old sage, always playing the veena in such a mournful tone? And now his condition seems even more pitiable.
Man 2: Perhaps he is a great saint, a mahatma, constantly remembering God. But who knows if his prayers even reach the Lord…
Intercut.
SCENE 3: DAY / VAIKUNTH-LOK
LAKSHMI & VISHNU
The seven gates of Vaikunth open one by one, and we enter Vaikunth Lok. Lord Vishnu watches the elderly Narad playing the veena. His face is sorrowful, and his eyes are filled with tears. Seeing this, Goddess Lakshmi is shocked.
Lakshmi (voice-over): I am seeing tears in my Lord’s eyes for the first time…
As the camera builds up, we see tears about to fall from Vishnu’s eyes. Lakshmi moves forward, catches the tear in her palm, closes her eyes, and places it in her hair, saying:
Lakshmi: If even a single tear of yours were to fall in Vaikunth, it would cause great calamity, my Lord… And this world would hold me responsible for failing to serve the Sustainer of the Universe.
Vishnu: Do not say so, Devi. Come, take your place…
Lakshmi sits gracefully.
Lakshmi: Have I made some mistake, my Lord? Have I caused you any suffering that you are so troubled?
Vishnu: How can there be any mistake from someone capable of correcting mine, my beloved? Your heart is such that you cannot harm even an insect, so causing me sorrow is impossible.
Lakshmi: Then why are there suddenly tears in your eyes, O Sustainer? You are free from all pain, and yet… This world exists because of you. If tears fall from your eyes, this universe would drown in sorrow…
We charge the camera onto Narayan.
Vishnu: It is true that the existence of this universe is linked to me, but it is equally true that every particle of this creation draws its existence from me. Therefore, I am bound to every living being. That is why if even one small devotee suffers or faces danger, it is natural that I too experience sorrow.
Lakshmi (shocked): Which devotee are you speaking of, my Lord? And what danger threatens them?
Vishnu: I am speaking of Devarshi Narad, his sorrow, and the danger that has befallen him…
Lakshmi, shocked, asks:
Lakshmi: Danger to Devarshi Narad?
Vishnu: Yes, Devi… look…
Camera charges on flowers as Lakshmi reacts.
SCENE 4: DHARTI LOK / A BRAHMAN HOUSE
NARAD / BRAHMAN AND HIS WIFE
We open the scene with the same old man (Devarshi Narad) walking while chanting Narayan Narayan, carrying his veena. After walking a short distance, he looks up to the sky and says:
Old Narad (with compassion): O Lord, O Sustainer of the Universe! I am not sorrowful because I have been cursed by the Supreme Father Brahma. I am sorrowful because for years I was denied your darshan, separated from you. Now I wish to come into your presence. Please hear this humble Narad’s prayer, my Lord…
As he says this, sunlight falls on Narad’s eyes, and they begin to close.
Old Narad: Bhiksha dehi… Grant me alms…
As he is about to fall to the ground, a Brahman and his wife run up and hold him.
Brahman: Careful, brother! You almost fell…
Old Narad (in an old voice): I fell long ago… now I am merely trying to rise.
Brahman’s Wife: It seems no one has offered alms to him for a long time…
Old Narad: Yes… I need alms… please give me something…
Brahman: Don’t worry, Bhikshukdev, come with us. We will give you a full meal…
The Brahman and his wife help Narad and take him along.
Dissolve.
SCENE 5: DHARTI LOK / BRAHMAN HOUSE
We see the impoverished, frail Narad sitting inside the hut. The Brahman tries to give him water with his own hands.
Brahman: Here, please drink a little water first…
Wife: After that, we will provide you a full meal and also offer you dakshina.
Narad refuses to drink, his throat dry.
Old Narad: No, Brahmandeva. I have vowed that until I receive alms, I cannot accept food or water…
Brahman’s Wife: But we just said, O Bhikshuk, that we will give you both alms and charity. So why are you worried?
Brahman: Savitri, bring the meal first, while I continue to serve him…
Savitri: Yes, Swami, I am bringing it now…
Savitri enters with the food. The Brahman wipes Narad’s sweat with his cloth and speaks:
Brahman: We have never seen you before… Which village are you from, and is there no one in your family to take care of you? How have you reached our region, Baba?
Savitri, setting the food down, says:
Savitri: First, let him eat something, Swami. Then we can explain everything… Here, please eat, Baba…
Narad looks at the food.
Narad: But I cannot accept this…
Both are astonished, exchanging glances.
Brahman: But why, O Bhikshukdev?
Old Narad: Because I need your leftover food, as alms…
We charge the camera on the Brahman couple—they are shocked.
Brahman: What are you saying, Bhikshuk? How can we give you our leftovers?
Narad: But I only want your leftover food as alms, Brahmandeva…
Savitri: Doing so would destroy all our merit and dharma. We cannot do it, O Bhikshukdev…
Narad: Then I cannot accept anything from you.
Brahman: I understand, Savitri… Perhaps until now, whatever alms he received was always leftover food. That is why he has grown accustomed to receiving only leftovers. How cruel and merciless people can be… Bring some fruits and clothes for him…
Savitri: Yes, Swami…
Savitri returns with a basket of fruits, food, and clothes.
Savitri: Here you go, Baba…
Old Narad (dry throat): I said, all this is useless for me… I only want your leftover food…
The couple exchanges astonished looks again.
Brahman (folding hands): O Bhikshukdev, if we are giving you clean food, why do you repeatedly demand leftovers and make us share the burden of sin?
Savitri: We cannot give you our leftovers… you must take the clean food, or we will not let you leave…
Brahman (folding hands): Please accept this as our humble request…
Old Narad: Very well… I will accept this alms, but it will not accept me…
Both are stunned. As Narad touches the food to take it, it turns into ashes. They are shocked.
Savitri (astonished): What, Swami? Everything turned to ashes the moment he touched it…
Brahman (astonished): Yes… but what is this mystery?
Savitri: Surely, this Bhikshukdev is under the effect of a curse, Swami…
Brahman: Yes. And if we had given him our leftovers, the curse could have affected us too. Forgive us, Bhikshukdev, we cannot fulfill this wish…
Narad: Then I must leave empty-handed… May you both be well…
With that, Narad rises unsteadily. Full charge on Narad’s hopeless face.
SCENE 6: VAIKUNTH LOK
VISHNU / LAKSHMI
Back to Vishnu and Lakshmi. Lakshmi, shocked, says:
Lakshmi: This is Devarshi Narad, my Lord…?
Vishnu: Yes, Devi. This is his impoverished incarnation. Due to a curse, Devarshi Narad must live such a life.
Lakshmi: But this is a grave danger for him… Does this not mean his life is near its end? Which curse do you refer to? And why has Devarshi Narad taken this impoverished incarnation, my Lord?
Vishnu: You will know the answer, my beloved. But first, could you kindly cook some rice for me as soon as possible…
Lakshmi: Certainly, my Lord. I will bring it now…
She leaves. We charge on Vishnu, who closes his eyes and calls Garud.
Vishnu: Garuddev, wherever you are, come before me…
Cut to camera traveling from Vaikunth to Dhartilok.
SCENE 7: EXT / DAY
GARUD DEV
We open the scene showing Garud sitting in meditation atop a mountain. Suddenly, he hears Narayan’s voice and opens his eyes.
Garud Dev: Why has the Lord suddenly remembered me? Surely, some urgent task awaits… I am coming, my Lord…
Garud transforms into a bird form and flies into the sky.
Cut.
SCENE 8: DHARTI LOK / BRAHMAN HOUSE
NARAD / BRAHMAN AND HIS WIFE
We montage Narad going from house to house, begging for alms. No one offers him leftover food; all fold their hands in refusal.
Intercut: Garud is shown flying toward Vaikunth.
SCENE 9: VAIKUNTH LOK
VISHNU / LAKSHMI / GARUD
We open the scene: Lakshmi brings rice on a banana leaf. Vishnu takes it and begins to consume it. Lakshmi watches, astonished.
Lakshmi (v/o): Why is the Lord suddenly eating rice? Surely there is a divine play behind this… but what?
Garud arrives, bows to Vishnu.
Garud: Salutations, Narayan. Salutations, Mother Lakshmi! What good fortune that you remembered me, my Lord… Please command me!
Vishnu wraps the remaining rice (leftover) on the banana leaf. Lakshmi and Garud react. Vishnu says:
Narayan: Beloved Garud! My greatest devotee, Devarshi Narad, currently living a cursed life on Earth, is near the end of his earthly life. Therefore, you must feed him my leftover rice.
Garud: Certainly, my Lord. Any other orders?
Narayan: Since Devarshi Narad has no family on Earth, you must also perform his funeral properly so he can be freed from the curse and return to the Supreme Abode.
Garud: As you command, my Lord. Where shall I find Devarshi Narad on Earth?
Narayan: He is in a village in the eastern part of Dhartilok, densely populated by Brahmans. You must reach there swiftly, Garud Dev.
Garud: Yes, my Lord. Salutations.
Garud departs, carrying the rice wrapped on a banana leaf. Full charge on Lakshmi.
Lakshmi: What a strange curse, my Lord… That only your leftovers can free Devarshi Narad? If that was so, why was this not done earlier?
We charge on Vishnu.
Narayan: Devi, as you know, Brahma created his Manas Putras to protect and operate this universe divinely. Devarshi Narad is one of those Manas Putras, born from Brahma’s own mind. Brahma intended for Narad, like his other sons, to contribute to the universe’s expansion. But with Narad, a very unusual event occurred…
Cut to…
SCENE 10: BRAHMADEV LOK
BRHMADEV / NARAD / DAKSH / RISHI ATRI / MARICHI / RISHI BHRIGU
We open the scene with a wide shot, showing Daksh, Rishi Atri, Rishi Marichi, and Rishi Bhrigu standing together before Brahmadev.
All Rishis (together): Salutations, O Supreme Father Brahmadev!
Brahmadev, seated on a lotus, opens His eyes.
Brahmadev: Be immortal!
Daksh Prajapati: You remembered us, Father?
We charge on Brahmadev, looking around and asking:
Brahmadev: Yes… but why hasn’t Narad come? Where is he lagging behind?
At that moment, we show a full buildup as Narad enters, chanting “Narayan Narayan.”
Narad (smiling): Narayan Narayan! How could I lag behind, Father? I came first, merely pausing to behold your Brahmalok… Please accept Narad’s salutations at your feet… Greetings, my brothers!
All the Rishis smile at Narad.
Rishi Atri: O Supreme Father, now that Narad has arrived… please tell us why you remembered us?
Brahma: O my Manas Putras, you are my most capable and brilliant children. I wish each of you to contribute to the continuation and expansion of the universe I have created.
Daksh: Certainly, Father. It is every son’s duty to contribute to his father’s work.
Bhrigu: Yes, Father. We are all at your service. Please command us on how we can fulfill your desire…
Brahma: By marriage!
All are shocked and exchange glances.
All Sons: By marriage??
Brahma: Yes, sons. When you are bound in wedlock through the marital knot, the children born from these unions will ensure the continuous expansion of my creation. Therefore, each of you must marry.
Rishi Marichi: But we have never considered marriage, Father…
Narayan (happily): What is there to think, brothers? Before the command of Father, we must all bow. And the wedding garland is not a venomous snake that bites the moment it touches the neck, Father…
Brahma is delighted by Narad’s words.
Brahma: Wonderful, my son Narad, wonderful! It seems you are the most capable and sensible of all my Manas Putras.
Narad: Thank you, Father.
Daksh glares at Narad in anger; Narad turns away.
Daksh: Excuse me, Father… How can Narad, the youngest among us, know anything about marriage and family, yet he tries to impose his thoughts on us?
Narad (passionately): Knowledge or not, I gain experience every day by observing.
Bhrigu: What sudden knowledge of marriage has come to you, Narad? Let us also know…
Atri: And has any Rishi, sage, or ascetic ever been happy after marriage?
Narad: Why? Is Mahadev and Narayan not happy after marriage? (to Brahma) Father, whenever I visit Kailash or Vaikunth, I always see them content. Therefore, I can confidently say that we will also remain happy after our marriages.
Daksh: If Narad knows so much about marriage, why not let him be married first, Father?
Narad: And I will not refuse, Father.
Brahma: You have pleased me greatly today, Narad. At the right time, I shall grant you a boon.
Narad: Thank you, Father!
Brahma: I have decided that tomorrow all of you will be married together. So after your bath and preparations, proceed to the wedding mandap.
Daksh: But Father…
Brahma closes His eyes. Narad quietly slips away.
Bhrigu: Supreme Father has entered Yog Nidra…
Daksh (angrily): Brothers, whatever happened today is all because of Narad…
Daksh looks around; Narad is gone.
Daksh: Where has Narad gone now?
Rishi Atri: He tricked us all into the marriage trap and ran away…
Daksh: We could have explained to Father that we do not want marriage, and he might have agreed, but Narad did not leave him alone.
Marichi: What shall we do now?
Daksh: Whatever Father desires. None of us can disobey his command.
Dissolve…
SCENE 11: DAY / SAROVAR
Narad
The next day, the sun rises. Narad happily heads to the river for a bath, his mind bubbling with thoughts of marriage.
Narad: Good that I slipped away from Brahmalok quickly. Otherwise, all my brothers together would never have let me leave… Narayan Narayan! Let me bathe quickly so I reach the wedding first, and Father may grant me a few more boons…
As Narad steps into the river, another Narad appears before him, laughing.
Narad: Who are you?
Shadow Narad (laughing): I am the inner soul, which resides in every deity, demon, and human, but seldom manifests outside.
Narad: Why have you come out of me? Don’t you see, my wedding is today, and I am so happy…
Shadow Narad: I see… but you cannot yet see what will happen to you after the marriage.
Narad: What? What will happen?
Shadow Narad: Your freedom will be taken away.
Narad: How?
Shadow Narad: Look over there…
Shadow Narad shows Narad a young ascetic performing tapasya while his wife is trying to wake him.
Ascetic’s Wife: I ask you, will you get up or not? O great one who performs penance! If you were to perform tapas and japa, why did you marry me? Look, I am telling you for the last time—get up quickly and help me with household chores, or else it won’t be good… Seems like you won’t listen… wait, I’ll show you…
The ascetic does not get up. The woman leaves. Narad looks worried.
Narad (astonished): But what is this woman going to do…?
Shadow Narad: What every wife does after marriage—to trouble her husband. Just watch…
We see her return with three small children. She places one in her husband’s lap, and the other two on his shoulders. The children start pulling his hair.
Children: Get up, Father! Take us for a walk!
The ascetic does not open his eyes.
Children: Get up, Father! We want sweets!
Woman: Until you get up, these children won’t let you rest… remember that.
The children pull his hair and pinch him; finally, the ascetic rises and folds hands:
Ascetic: I never thought such a mistake would happen… otherwise, I would never have considered marriage even in a dream… Come, tell me the household tasks; I am ready to do them, and from today, I shall end tapas and japa.
He places his rosary aside. The woman is happy and leaves with her husband and children. Narad is astonished.
Narad: But this is such a grave injustice to that poor ascetic…?
Shadow Narad: Not injustice, Narad. Punishment… the punishment of marriage. Has anyone ever truly been happy after marriage?
Narad: Then how are Mahadev, Narayan, and Brahmadev happy?
Shadow Narad: Because they are the Tridev, they manage this universe. You are not them, Narad. Your Father Brahmadev deliberately trapped you so you can serve him, ensuring his work continues. Once you marry, Narad, you will never escape this crisis… the choice is yours.
Shadow Narad disappears. Narad flashes into the ascetic’s position; the children pull his hair. Narad snaps back.
Narad: No… where have I landed? What trick can I use to avoid this future crisis called marriage…
Cut…
SCENE 12: DAY / WEDDING MANDAP
Narad + Brahma + All Manas Putras + Junior Male & Female
We see a wedding mandap decorated in an ashram. Five altars are prepared for the havan. All gods and Rishis enter the mandap as wedding guests, welcomed by Vishwakarma and Kubera.
Kubera: Greetings, guests. Please proceed here…
Vishwakarma: Welcome to the marriage of Brahmadev’s Manas Putras, guests. Please come in…
All enter the mandap. Then Rishi Agastya arrives with five veiled brides.
Vishwakarma: Welcome, O revered Rishi…
Agastya: (looking to the sky) O Brahmadev, as you commanded, I have brought five brides. Please grant them your darshan…
Brahmadev appears. Everyone bows.
Agastya: Greetings, Brahmadev. Daughters, from now on, these will be your in-laws.
Five Daughters: Greetings, Father.
Brahmadev: May you always be fortunate, daughters… Are all preparations complete, Vishwakarma?
Vishwakarma: Yes, Father.
Agastya: Then, without further delay, summon the five Manas Putras who are to be married to these five brides…
Kubera: I shall bring them immediately, Rishi…
Dissolve…
We see all of Brahma’s Manas Putras present before Brahma as grooms—except Narad. Brahma looks puzzled.
Brahma: Have you all arrived? But where is my dear son Narad? Why is he not visible?
Kubera: Narad is still preparing in his chamber, Brahmadev. He said he will take a little time to come.
Daksh (sarcastically): Of course, Narad will take time… he must look better than the rest.
Marichi: He is making the most commotion for the wedding…
Agastya: We must also pay attention to the auspicious time for the wedding, Brahmadev…
Brahmadev: Correct. Narad will arrive soon; until then, all of you take your places near the yagna platform… Come, daughters…
All Manas Putras sit with a bride near the yagna platform.
Intercut: We see Narad pacing nervously in his room, worried about the wedding.
Narad: Somehow, I delayed Kubera, saying I am coming later. But once I go to the mandap, I cannot escape this crisis called marriage… My four brothers will be married, and Father will marry me too. What shall I do? What plan can I devise to avoid this marriage…?
Suddenly, Narad’s shadow appears again.
Shadow Narad: What is there to think, Narad? I am here. I will tell you the way…
Narad: You’re back??
Shadow Narad: Be thankful I arrived at the right time. Otherwise, no one would have saved you from this crisis…
Narad (happily): Can you really get me out of this crisis?
Shadow Narad: Surely… but you must do one task.
Narad: I am ready to do anything. Just tell me the way to escape this marriage…
Freeze…
