Swami Vivekananda

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Posted by: " Bhakta Dhruva " bhakta_dhruva

 

Story Of Narada & Krishna (MAYA AND FREEDOM)

 

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 be held his wife, and with the 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.

 

-Swami Vivekananda

(From Jnana-Yoga Complete Works Vol.2)