One day, Narada Muni approached Lord Vishnu and asked:
“O Lord, what is this thing you call Maya? I have heard of it, but I do not understand it.”
Vishnu smiled gently and said: “Narada, if you wish to understand Maya, walk with me.”
They set out together on a long walk. After some time, Vishnu pointed to a small village and said: “Narada, I am very thirsty. Please fetch me some water from that village.”
Eager to serve, Narada went to a house in the village and knocked on the door. A beautiful young woman opened it. Narada was enchanted by her grace. She invited him in, and Narada completely forgot about Vishnu’s request.
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. Narada married the young woman, started a family, and had children. He worked hard, took care of his family, and years passed in this happy, busy life.
Then, one day, a great flood came. Narada’s home was destroyed. He struggled to save his wife and children, but the waters carried them all away. Grief-stricken, Narada cried out for help.
At that moment, Narada suddenly heard a familiar voice. “My dear Narada, where is my water?”
He turned, and there stood Lord Vishnu, smiling gently, exactly as he had when Narada first left. Not even a second had passed.
Narada bowed his head. He finally realized: “So this is Maya. It is the powerful illusion that makes us forget our true self and the eternal truth.”
Moral: Maya (illusion) makes even the wisest forget the eternal reality, binding us to worldly pleasures, duties, and sorrows. Narada’s story teaches that while life in the world has beauty, one must always remember the divine truth behind it.