There is an old story of a seeker named Narada, who had the dream of becoming a saint and an accomplished ascetic. In order to transcend the entrapments of the common world he emptied his life and sought refuge in the realm of the spirit and in the heights of the holy hills. He spent all his time following spiritual practices in remote mountain caves. He avoided all the temptations of life and practiced austerities from dawn until night. He meditated and fasted and abstained in order to remove the stain of this world from his soul. He also sought to draw down the attention of the great god Vishnu.
Vishnu came before the bare-boned ascetic in a resplendent and dignified form; but he also came with a little desire, as we shall see. After commending the saint for his efforts, the god offered to fulfill any wish that the holy man might have. After all, even the gods like to play god. When offered the fulfillment of his wish, the saint did not hesitate. Like many before him, Narada wanted to know what the god of creation knew. He wanted to understand the power and genius behind all the manifestations of this earthly realm.
Vishnu was not exactly pleased by this request. He gently suggested that the holy man try another wish. But Narada was as single-minded on this subject as he had been in practicing his austerities. Even in the face of the divine, the saint would not budge. Vishnu had offered to grant a wish and the holy man had responded with his request. An agreement had been reached and even the gods are subject to certain agreements, so Vishnu beckoned to Narada to follow him.
The saint and the god began to walk along together, and eventually entered a wide desert. As they proceeded under the intensity of the blazing sun, Vishnu suddenly announced that he was thirsty. He asked Narada if he would be kind enough to go on ahead where there seemed to be a village and bring back a drink of water to cool his thirst.
Narada hastened off to the village and went directly to the first house he found. He knocked on the simple door and waited in a heightened state of devotion due to his errand of seeking water for the divine. Yet he also felt his own great thirst. When the door swung open before him, a graceful young woman appeared. She greeted him kindly and welcomed him inside. As he stepped across the threshold he gazed upon the beauty of the woman standing silently before him. She seemed to be the most beautiful being he had ever laid his eyes upon.
As he drank in her beauty, Narada neglected to ask for the drink of water. He simply followed her into the coolness of the house. Once inside, he was graciously received by the young woman’s parents who treated him as an honored guest. They made him comfortable, brought him sweet drinks and made friendly conversation. Soon enough, in the cordiality of that house and amidst an exchange of glances with the young woman, Narada simply forgot that he was on an errand from god.
After a time, and how else could it be, Narada and the young woman became engaged and were married with the blessing of her parents. The saint soon learned the joys of marriage as well as the hardships of a peasant’s life. With one thing after another, a dozen years passed somehow. Narada found himself with three children and many responsibilities in this world. When the old parents passed on, Narada and his beloved wife inherited the farm and worked hard to preserve the land and sustain the family.
One year, they were assaulted by a great flood as torrential rains poured unceasingly from the sky. Narada took the hand of his wife and those of his older children. He placed the youngest child on his shoulder and struggled to lead them all through the raging waters to dry land and safety. But he could not hold them all together against the flood and the youngest child slipped into the rushing waters.
The story of Narada and Vishnu will conclude in Michael’s next post
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