Pujya Swamiji’s Devrishi Narad Jayanti Discourse: Don’t Spread Fake News

On the beautiful holy day of Narad Jayanti, we celebrate the birthday of Devrishi Narada ji, who was both a Vedic sage, the son of Lord Brahma – and, the universe’s first journalist. He was the news bringer – he made the news and brought the news and shared the news and whatever he shared was always for the betterment of humanity.

Pujya Swamiji so beautifully linked the traditional story of Devrishi Narad Muniji to our current times, saying that – because news is so rapidly and readily available online – it is easy to spread fake news and misinformation. “It is,” He said, “the digital virus of our times – a virus that sometimes causes conflict and violence and aggression. And, as we strive to contain the Coronavirus, we must also defeat this digital virus, as well.”

“The greatest way,” He continued, “that we can celebrate and remember the birthday of Narad ji is to pledge that we will not spread or proliferate fake or inauthentic news. Matkar forward – Don’t forward it! Rather, that we will share only the news that brings health and faith and trust and wellness to people’s lives. This is the way to honor Narad ji’s legacy.”