Another story

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Narada is a great devotee of Narayana, and always

contemplates on Him. Doing so, he became proud that he's the

greatest devotee of Narayana. So he approached MahaVishnu

and asked him, "Oh Lord, who's your greatest

devotee?" He expected to hear his own name, but to his

utter shock, Narayana pointed to a poor pesant in a

village. Narada wanted to see who this great devotee was,

and hence set out to Bhuloka ( Earth). He came to

this village, and secretly observed this peasant. He

observed as to how many times this villager

prayed.<br><br>When the peasant got up in the morning, he prayed to

Narayana once and then went to the field. He worked in the

field the whole day, and returned in the evening. After

he returned, he freshened up , prayed to Narayana

and went to sleep. Narada cudn't believe that

Narayana pointed out to this peasant who prayed just twice

a day. So he went and asked Narayana about

it.<br><br>MahaVishnu asked Narada to come the following day. The

following day, Mahavishnu gave Narada a small vessel filled

with oil to the brim, and asked Narada to

circumambulate ( pradakshana) the garba graha (sanctum

sanctorum) 100 times, without spilling even a drop of oil.

Narada readily agreed, and with great concentration

successfully fulfilled his task. He came back to Narayana and

informed him about it. Then Narayana asked, "ok , During

the time that you circumambulated my garba graha 100

times, how many times did you think of Me?"<br>Narada

confessed that he didn't think even once.<br>Narayana

replied, " When you were given such a small task itself,

you failed to think of me even once. That farmer has

a family, and has so much of work in the fields.

Amidst his busy schedule he thinks of me twice. Who's

greater Narada?"<br><br>Narada confessed that his pride

got the better of him, and begged for forgiveness.

Needless to say, the karuna sagar readily forgave him.

<br><br>Hari Aum !!!