From: l_n_@ducvax.auburn.edu (N.Lakshminarayanan,Auburn Univ. AL36849)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian
Subject: Story from Chandamama
Date: 19 Aug 92 21:09:18 GMT
Article-I.D.: ducvax.1992Aug19.160918.3214

=======================================================================
		The self-doubter and his experiences
				or
			Narada goes to Earth
		====================================

	Narada had often reflected on Vishnu's observation on the effect
of contact with a Great Soul. He could not quite believe it -- how did
one rise through contact with a Great Soul?
	So for the umpteenth time he put the question to Vishnu. After 
a moment's thought Vishnu said, "Go down to Earth, Narada, and roam 
about, for you will see it happen".
	Accordingly,Narada went down to Earth looking for enlightenment.
Narada rested under a tree thinking about where he would go. He looked
up the tree to find that a baby bird had just broken out of its shell
and was looking about too. Interested, he went closer (no timid 
creatures of the wild were ever afraid of Narada) to look at the little
one. The little one looked unblinking at Narada, then fell dead! How 
heart-broken was Narada--"To think that I caused him to die!".
	With a heavy heart, Narada told Vishnu his experience, and what
kind of an enlightenment was this?
	"Patience Narada, go back to Earth and look again", said Vishnu.
	So Narada went back to Earth, and this time he arrived at a 
house. The people in the house, recognizing their visitor, welcomed
him and commended him for being just in time to see their new-born
calf. Eager to see it, Narada stepped around to the cow-shed, escorted
by his host. There the awkwardly stumbling little one looked up at
Narada, faltered and fell dead! Narada was aghast. What was the matter?
"Why did the little one die on seeing me?"
	In no mood to stay, Narada apologized to his bewildered host
and hurried to Vishnu preparing to ask any number of questions.
	Confronting Vishnu, Narada started on a high note, ready to pour
out his bitterness. Vishnu gently stopped him with a restraining hand.
Again, all he would say was, "Patience Narada, go back to Earth and look
again".
	So Narada patiently went back to Earth for the third time 
to "look again".
	Now Narada came to the house of a rich man, which seemed to have
been spruced up for festivities. The people gathered were greatly 
thrilled to see their heavenly visitor, and the man of the house lost no
time ushering in Narada.
	"I am blessed with a child, Narada, and how opportune that you
should be here! Here she is and do let her have your blessings!".
	The little one stared fixedly by turns in different directions,
then turned to Narada who had stooped down to look. Narada had barely
spoken a word of admiration when the child convulsed, turned blue and
...died! This was the end. Narada was numb-struck and close to tears.
	He slowly turned his steps heavenward -- he could not 
senselessly apologize to his host this time, this was a calamity --
wondering in a daze that somewhere in all this there was an answer to
his question.
	Vishnu welcomed Narada back with kind words and a knowing 
smile. Narada knew that Vishnu had known all, so it was unnecessary 
to report his misadventure. 
	"Narada, there was tiny bird which came into the world and saw 
you, only to leave it. Then there was a calf which came into the world 
and saw you, only to leave it. Finally, there was a child who came into
the world and also saw you, only to leave it. Maybe the calf remembered
a bird,maybe the child remembered a calf,and....do I see the Great Soul?
...Do you?".
	Narada was moved beyond words and stood transfixed before his
Lord.
======================================================================

	I don't remember the exact words of this story from Chandamama, 
so I used my own words. However, only the words are mine -- I have not
added to (nor I hope, detracted from) the theme of the original story.

Ln
Xref: sparky soc.culture.indian:28276 soc.culture.tamil:962