First story for retelling

[Guest guest]

Here is the text of the story of Narada Muni, part I. If any of your

students are capable of reading and writing this story, let them also try.

 

 

NARADA MUNI (I)

 

23. O Muni, in the last millenium, I was born as the son of a certain

maidservant engaged in the service of brahmanas who were following the

principles of Vedanta. When they were living together during the four

months of the rainy season, I was engaged in their personal service.

 

24. Although they were impartial by nature, those followers of the

Vedanta blessed me with their causeless mercy. As far as I was concerned, I

was self-controlled and had no attachment for sports, even though I was a

boy. In addition, I was not naughty, and I did not speak more than

required.

 

25. Once only, by their permission, I took the remnants of their food,

and by so doing all my sins were at once eradicated. Thus being engaged, I

became purified in heart, and at that time the very nature of the

transcendentalist became attractive to me.

 

26. O Vyasadeva, in that association and by the mercy of those great

Vedantists, I could hear them describe the attractive activities of Lord

Krsna. And thus listening attentively, my taste for hearing of the

Personality of Godhead increased at every step.

 

27. O great sage, as soon as I got a taste of the Personality of

Godhead, my attention to hear of the Lord was unflinching. And as my taste

developed, I could realize that it was only in my ignorance that I had

accepted gross and subtle coverings, for both the Lord and I are

transcendental.

 

28. Thus during two seasons - the rainy season and autumn - I had the

opportunity to hear these great-souled sages constantly chant the

unadulterated glories of the Lord Hari. As my devotional service began, the

coverings of the modes of passion and ignorance vanished.

 

29. I was very much attached to those sages. I was gentle in behavior,

and all my sins were eradicated in their service. In my heart, I had strong

faith in them. I had subjugated the senses, and I was strictly following

them with body and mind.

 

30. As they were leaving, those Bhaktivedantas, who are very kind to

poor-hearted souls, instructed me in that most confidential subject, which

is instructed by the Personality of Godhead Himself.

 

31. By that confidential knowledge, I could understand clearly the

influence of the energy of Lord Sri Krsna, the creator, maintainer and

annihilator of everything, and knowing that, I could return to Him and

personally meet Him.

 

 

Narada Muni to Vyasadeva

Srimad Bhagavatam Canto One

Chapter 5, Verses 23 to 31