We think that mortals alone are affected by the six inner enemies otherwise called 'arishadvargas!’ That is not true. Sages, saints and even the Devas are victims of a few enemies embedded in their nature! Pride and arrogance have led to the downfall and ruin of many a celebrated individual! It is surprising to see even great jnanis and evolved souls affected by ego or ahankara and suffer. Sage Narada is recognized as “ Brahma manasa putra”- one born of the Creator Brahma’s manas! Very often he is spoken of as the creator of trouble and confusion among Devas and mortals. He is always immersed in the thought of God Naryana, and spends his time singing the glory of the Lord in Vaikunta! But he too, once became the victim of conceit and felt that there was no greater devotee than himself! What such jnanis should not feel has now affected Narada. Omniscient Lord Vishnu wanted to teach him a lesson and bring him back to his normal self. His pride and arrogance has to be purged since they are not the qualities of great sages and saints.
Lord Vishnu summoned Narada and bade him go to a particular place where one of his devotees lived. Narada should become friends with him and spend time with him. Narada wondered how there can be a better and greater bhaktha than himself. But he had to obey the Lord and went in search of that devotee. He came upon an agriculturist who was the devotee referred to by the Lord. Narada observed his daily routine. The farmer devotee got up very early in the morning, pronounced the name of Hari ( Vishnu) only once, and left for the field! He tilled the soil throughout the day and returned home by evening. He retired to bed by night after chanting the name of Hari once more! Narada was totally disillusioned! Here he is, thinking and singing the glory of the Lord all the twenty four hours and there is the farmer who just repeats the name of the Lord just twice a day! Yet the Lord calls him a true and great devotee! He doubted the logic of the Lord and felt he should get it clarified! The farmer was fully engaged in worldly duties too!
Narada went back to Vaikunta and expressed his opinion on the farmer devotee. He questioned how the farmer can be called a true devotee. Lord Vishnu smiled and gave him a cup of oil. He asked Narada to go round the city and come back to him. But he should take care to see that not a single drop of it is spilled! Narada felt that it was an easy job to go round the city. But as he started, he knew how difficult it was to carry the cup of oil without spiling a single drop! His concentration was now on the cup of oil! He totally forgot chanting and singing the glory of the name of God! He did not think of the Lord during the entire period of his travel! Finally, after herculean effort, he succeeded in bringing back the cup of oil without spilling a single drop!
Narada thought that the Lord would be very happy and congratulate him on his successful trip. But he was in for a surprise. “ How many times did you remember me during your walk round the city?” questioned Lord Vishnu. Narada was very frank and said that he did not think of the Lord even once! He pointed out that carrying the cup of oil without spilling a single drop was so exacting and difficult that his entire concentration was fixed on it! Lord Vishnu smiled mischievously and admonished him. This one cup of oil had diverted him and made him forget the Lord! But the rustic farmer, despite his family burdens and agricultural activities remembered the Lord twice a day! Narada's ego and arrogance was blown away! He realized how the common man is involved in the cycle of Samsara and still finds time to think and worship God! That is really great! Though a jnani himself, he had lost concentration while carrying just a cup of oil! He felt sorry for his conduct and begged pardon
Sri Ramakrishna points out how great and renowned saints and jnanis are subject to spells of ignorance and Maya of the Lord! But they soon realize their faux pas and correct themselves.The common man on the other hand is unable to do so and hence is led to his doom and destruction! We have to be extremely cautious in this world as situations arise when we become proud, arrogant and conceited! Let us pray that such situations shall not meet us in our lives!
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