CONCEIT IS TO DEVOTION WHAT CANKER IS TO BUDS

ONCE upon a time conceit entered into the heart
of Narada, and he thought there was no greater
devotee than himself. Reading his heart, the Lord
said: "Narada, go to such and such a place. A great
devotee of mine is living there. Cultivate his
acquaintance; for he is truly devoted to Me."
Narada went there and found an agriculturist who
rose early in the morning, pronounced the name of
Hari (God) only once and, taking his plough, went
out and tilled the ground all day long. At night he
went to bed after pronouncing the name of Hari
once more. Narada said to himself:
"How can this rustic be a lover of God? I see him
busily engaged in wordly duties, and he has no
signs of a pious man about hirn." Then Narada
went back to the Lord and spoke what he thought
of his new acquaintance. Thereupon the Lord said:
"Narada, take this cup of oil and go round this city
and come back with it.
But take care that you do not spill even a single
drop of it." Narada did as he was told, and on his

return the Lord asked him, "Well, Narada, how
many times did you remember Me in the course of
your walk round the city?" "Not once, my Lord,"
said Narada, "and how could I, when I had to
watch this cup brimming over with oil?" The Lord
then said: "This one cup of oil did so divert your
attention that even you did forget Me altogether.
But look at that rustic, who, though carrying the
heavy burden of a family, still remembers Me twice
every day."