Maya

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Posting fromholy_trinity (AT) googl (DOT) com

 

We are all like this in the world. A legend tells how once Narada

said to Krishna, " Lord, show me Maya. " A few days passed away, and

Krishna asked Narada to make a trip with him towards a desert, and

after walking for several miles,Krishna said, " Narada, I am thirsty;

can you fetch some water for me? " " I will go at once, sir, and get

you water. " So Narada went.

 

At a little distance there was a village; he entered the village in

search of water and knocked at a door, which was opened by a most

beautiful young girl. At the sight of her he immediately forgot that

his Master was waiting for water, perhaps dying for the want of it.

He forgot everything and began to talk with the girl. All that day

he did not return to his Master. The next day, he was again at the

house, talking to the girl. That talk ripened into love; he asked

the father for the daughter, and they were married and lived there

and had children.

 

Thus twelve years passed. His father-in-law died, he inherited his

property. He lived, as he seemed to think, a very happy life with

his wife and children, his fields and his cattle, and so forth. Then

came a flood. One night the river rose until it overflowed its banks

and flooded the whole village. Houses fell, men and animals were

swept away and drowned, and everything was floating in the rush of

the stream. Narada had to escape. With one hand he held his wife,

and with other two of his children; another child was on his

shoulders, and he was trying to ford this tremendous flood. After a

few steps he found the current was too strong, and the child on his

shoulders fell and was borne away.

 

A cry of despair came from Narada. In trying to save that child, he

lost his grasp upon one of the others, and it also was lost. At last

his wife, whom he clasped with all his might, was torn away by the

current, and he was thrown on the bank, weeping and wailing in

bitter lamentation. Behind him there came a gentle voice, " My child,

where is the water? You went to fetch a pitcher of water, and I am

waiting for you; you have been gone for quite half an hour. " " Half an

hour! " Narada exclaimed.

 

Twelve whole years had passed through his mind, and all these scenes

had happened in half an hour!

And this is Maya.

 

GOMU <gokulmuthu