Work and Worship!!

Hi Friends... This last day of this year, Let me share something I came across which sounded interesting and at the same time thought provoking!! It is related to the Work and Worship…

We all know that sage Narada is a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and he chants restlessly the name of the Lord “Narayana…! Narayana…!” Narada was in pride that he is the greatest devotee of Vishnu in this entire universe. Lord Sri Hari having realized his inner thought called Narada and told “Narada…you please go to a particular village and meet my devotee over there…And you know he is my true devotee!” Narada couldn’t believe this, so went on to meet the person suggested by the Lord to just disprove the fact.

The Person, the Lord Vishnu suggested is a poor peasant. Daily when he wakes up he chants the name of “Vishnu” and starts his work. All the day long, he is so busy in his work sowing seeds…farming his land etc. He comes home tired, spends some time with family. Before he goes to sleep, he chants the name of “Vishnu” and ends his day. Narada returns back and complains to Vishnu “O Lord, I chant thousand times your name daily and how can I be comparable with that farmer over there who takes your name just twice”

Lord Vishnu smiles and hands a bowl filled with Oil to Narada...and asks him with a smile “Narada…!! A small test for you!! Take this bowl of oil and make a complete round around Vaikuntam and remember that not even single drop should spill from it”.

Narada takes up the challenge and completes the task successfully. Now Vishnu asks him “Dear Narada, now tell me how many times you chanted my name while going around Vaikuntam this time”.

Narada Replied “Come on Lord…I was so tensed not to spill even a drop of oil…So I did not get a chance to chant your name”

Lord Vishnu answers him “See Narada…this small bowl of oil diverted your attention away from me…Now look at the farmer, who in spite of bearing the burden of his family, he chants my name twice…” Narada realizes the truth and discards the pride he had a moment before. It is the work we do with utmost respect that makes us closer to the lord and not anything else. No matter call the divine by any name…Allah, Rama or Jesus, Just remember to chant the name of the divine once a day and you are there in his heart forever!

This is the story told by Sri Rama Krishna Paramahamsa!

Thanks a lot, friends for your continuous support and encouragement all this year for the blog!!

Wish you all a prosperous and happy new year …Wish all the success in 2011 and in new decade to start!!