The Superior Devotee - A Moral Story for Children

The Superior Devotee

A proud Devrishi Narad learns the true essence of devotion through the example of a humble farmer, teaching us humility and the power of true devotion.

Introduction

Devrishi Narad, proud of his devotion to Lord Vishnu, believed that there was no one more devoted to the Lord than himself. To teach him a lesson in true devotion, Lord Vishnu decided to show him an example.

The Journey to Find the Superior Devotee

Lord Vishnu casually asked Narad if he had met a special devotee of His on Earth. Narad, curious, set off to find the man. To his surprise, he discovered that the man the Lord spoke of was just an ordinary farmer.

Observation of the Farmer

For an entire day, Narad observed the farmer and found that he would chant Lord Vishnu's name twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed, thanking the Lord for His support. Narad couldn't understand how such an ordinary man could be the Lord’s superior devotee.

The Test Given by Lord Vishnu

The next time Narad met Lord Vishnu, he expressed his doubts. In response, the Lord gave Narad a task: “Take this bowl of oil and deliver it to Lord Shiva in Kailash. Do not spill even a drop.” Narad was focused on the task and succeeded in carrying the bowl without spilling any oil.

The Lord’s Question

Lord Vishnu then asked, "While carrying the bowl, did you chant my name like you usually do? And when you went to Earth, how many times did you chant my name?" Narad realized that he had been so focused on the task that he had forgotten to chant the Lord’s name.

Pearls of Wisdom

What did Lord Vishnu ask Narad? What happened then?

Lord Vishnu asked him, "While going about your task, did you chant my name like you usually do? And what about the time when you had gone to Earth? How many times did you chant my name then?" Narad remembered that he had completely forgotten to chant the Lord's name while undertaking both the tasks. Lord Vishnu then said, "Narad, I asked you to carry a little bowl and you forgot me in your anxiety. The poor farmer carries plenty of tensions of his own day-to-day life but still remembers me twice a day. So now tell me who is the superior devotee?"

🌟 Moral of the Story: True devotion is not measured by the frequency of prayers, but by the sincerity and faith in the heart. 🌟

Disclaimer: This story is a retelling of an episode from the scriptures. All rights belong to the original creators and publishers. If there are any concerns, please contact us.