Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

 

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

Our Guru told this beautiful story once “Once Lord Vishnu and Sage Narada went on a walk. During the course of their talk, Narada asked “Pray Lord, tell me who is the greatest of your devotees?”

Narada considered himself to be the greatest Bhaktha (devotee) of the Lord. He was a Brahmachari (celibate) always singing and reciting the name of the Lord. So, who else could it be, he thought? He was silently smiling expecting the Lord to utter his name. even after knowing this fact, it gave him great pleasure to hear the same from the Lord’s mouth!

But the answer that the Lord gave was something that he didn’t expect. “To know that, we have to go to my devotee’s house”!!!

Narada was disappointed – but obviously!

After the long walk, they entered a remote village. On the outskirts of that village was a small piece of land. There was a small hut in the corner of that field. They both knocked on the door of that hut – but of course in disguise.

A frail-looking farmer opened the door. The Lord said, “We are travelers. It is already dusk. We request you to let us stay at your place for today. We’ll leave tomorrow morning”.

The farmer welcomed them with open arms saying “Narayana has sent guests. How can I not serve them? Please come in”.

He gave them water and said “Narayana! Please wash your feet”.

When the Lord and Narada washed their feet, he handed them a towel to wipe their feet saying “Narayana”.

Like this, as he gave them a seat to sit (aasan), food to eat, or a cot to lie on, he would utter “Narayana” once!

Contd....

# me my Guru stories, Narada and Lord Vishnu, who's the greatest bhaktha of all, devotee, upanishad stories, Vedic stories, Vedic itihaasa, Land called India and its scriptures, stories from Indian Scriptures, attitude of devotion, devotion, devotee, loving God, Prayer, rituals and love, 

also read https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2020/02/devotee.html 

Pointers to understand the post:

"During the course of their talk, Narada asked “Pray Lord, tell me who is the greatest of your devotees?”

Narada considered himself to be the greatest Bhaktha (devotee) of the Lord." - Sage Narada himself assumed that he was the greatest bhaktha!!! What audacity!?

The real bhaktha would be so immersed in his bhakthi that he would not even get a thought to ask such a question. 

Why? Because, he is so lost in loving the Lord that he has no time to compete with any other person in any field - even if it be as a bhaktha!

Humility is the first quality that develops in a spiritual person. Anyone who is in competing mode can ASSUME HE IS in spiritual mode or path but his competing streak and nature become his enemy for the same. 

Look within! Listen to your words! Ask yourself one question at the end of the day "Did I make a statement that reflected the competing nature in me?" If you find it, first, nib it immediately. Don't justify it!. Just kill it.