Once, the celestial sage Narada Muni was traveling through the worlds singing the glories of Lord Vishnu on his veena. His sweet music filled hearts with devotion and peace wherever he went.
As he walked through a forest, he came across three very different beings. Each was caught in their own worldly cycle.
First, he met a hunter.
Narada saw a hunter with a bow, chasing animals and leaving them wounded. Narada paused before him. He simply asked, “Brother, why cause suffering to these beings? They too are children of the Lord.”
The hunter, startled by the saint’s compassion, lowered his bow and thought for a while and answered. “It is my only way to live & provide for my family,” he said.
Narada smiled gently, “Then let the Lord provide. Begin by sparing life.”
Something in Narada’s eyes — calm, kind, and full of divine love — pierced the hunter’s heart. From that day, he gave up hunting, recited Rama Nama and wrote Ramayana, and attained liberation.
Narada continued his journey.
Further along, Narada visited a King who was known for his pride and power. The King welcomed him with splendor but spoke only of his conquests.
Narada listened patiently and then asked,
“Maharaja, you have conquered lands — but have you conquered your mind?”
The King was taken aback at his question. Narada continued,
“All that you build will fade, but the remembrance of the Lord never dies.”
The words echoed in the King’s heart long after Narada left. He slowly renounced his arrogance, ruled with humility, and eventually retired to meditate upon Vishnu. In time, his soul too found peace in moksha (liberation).
Narada continued his journey again.
He reached a small village where a poor woman was sweeping the floor of a temple. She bowed to him, eyes full of devotion.
“Oh sage,” she said, “I have nothing to offer but this small lamp for the Lord.”
Narada smiled, “Child, your faith itself lights the universe.”
He blessed her. In that moment, she experienced divine bliss. It was the kind of peace that sages seek for lifetimes. When her time came, she merged into the Lord’s eternal light, free from rebirth.
As Narada continued his journey singing the praises of Lord Vishnu, he acts as a bridge between the worlds. Those who saw him were changed forever. Narada never granted moksha (liberation) to anyone, nor could he. However, he held the power to ask one soul-piercing question. This question reminded them of the divine spark within. It is the very light that leads us to liberation.
If you met Narada, what would you ask him, and what would he ask you?