Work as Worship: Narada's Lesson in Devotion

Work is Worship: The Story of Narada and the Farmer

Work as Worship: Narada's Lesson in Devotion

Long, long ago, in a peaceful land filled with forests, rivers, and small villages, there lived a great sage named Narada. Narada was known all over the world for his deep love for Lord Vishnu. He wore simple clothes, carried a musical instrument called a veena, and always walked with a gentle smile on his face.

Every day, Narada woke up early in the morning and chanted the name of Lord Vishnu.
“Vishnu… Vishnu… Vishnu…”
He chanted while walking, while resting, and even while traveling from one place to another. His heart was always filled with devotion. People who saw him would say, “Narada is the greatest devotee of Lord Vishnu.”

Narada traveled from village to village, forest to forest, and even to heavenly places. Wherever he went, he sang songs about Lord Vishnu and taught people to remember God. Over time, a small thought came into Narada’s mind.

He began to wonder, “I chant Lord Vishnu’s name all the time. I never forget Him. Am I the greatest devotee in the whole world?”

This thought stayed in his mind for many days. Finally, Narada decided to ask Lord Vishnu Himself.

One quiet morning, Narada sat in deep prayer. Soon, Lord Vishnu appeared before him, shining with divine light and kindness.

Narada bowed down and said politely,
“O Lord Vishnu, you know everything. I have one question in my heart.”

Lord Vishnu smiled and said,
“Ask me, Narada.”

Narada said,
“Lord, I chant your name day and night. I travel everywhere singing your praise. Am I your greatest devotee?”

Lord Vishnu gently smiled and replied,
“No, Narada.”

Narada was shocked. His eyes grew wide.
“No?” he asked softly. “Then, Lord, is there someone who loves you more than me?”

Lord Vishnu said calmly,
“Yes, there is.”

Narada felt surprised and curious.
“Who is that devotee, Lord?” he asked.

Lord Vishnu said,
“Come with me, and I will show you.”

In a moment, Lord Vishnu and Narada appeared near a small village. At the edge of the village was a tiny mud cottage. Inside the cottage, a poor farmer was sleeping peacefully after a long day of work.

Lord Vishnu said,
“This farmer is one of my greatest devotees.”

Narada looked carefully. The farmer had no fine clothes, no books, and no prayer beads. Narada thought, “How can this simple farmer be a greater devotee than me?”

The next morning, Narada and Lord Vishnu followed the farmer quietly. The farmer woke up early, washed his face, and folded his hands.

He said softly,
“O Lord Vishnu, thank you for this new day.”

Then he ate a simple meal and went to his fields. All day long, he ploughed the land under the hot sun. His hands were rough, and sweat ran down his face. At lunchtime, he sat under a tree, closed his eyes, and said,
“Lord Vishnu, thank you for this food.”

In the evening, after returning home tired, he again folded his hands and said,
“Lord Vishnu, thank you for taking care of me and my family.”

Narada was confused.
“Lord,” Narada said, “this farmer only took your name three times the whole day. I chant your name hundreds of times! How can he be a greater devotee than me?”

Lord Vishnu smiled but did not answer. Instead, He said,
“Narada, I want you to bring me some water.”

He pointed to a lake on top of a nearby hill and continued,
“Fill this pot with water and bring it to me. But be careful. Do not spill even one drop.”

Narada took the pot and climbed the hill. He filled the pot with water until it was full. As he walked down, he focused very hard.

“Be careful… don’t spill… walk slowly,” he said to himself.

Narada was so careful that he forgot to chant. Only twice did he softly say,
“Vishnu… Vishnu…”

Finally, he reached Lord Vishnu and gave Him the pot. Not a single drop had fallen.

Lord Vishnu asked kindly,
“Narada, how many times did you chant my name while walking?”

Narada replied honestly,
“Only two times, Lord. I was too focused on the pot.”

Lord Vishnu smiled and said,
“Now you understand.”

Narada bowed his head. Lord Vishnu explained gently,
“True devotion is not about how many times you say my name. It is about love, faith, and sincerity in the heart.”

He continued,
“The farmer works hard all day. He remembers me only a few times, but when he does, his heart is full of love and trust. He never forgets me in his heart, just like you never forgot the water pot.”

Narada’s eyes filled with tears.
“I understand now, Lord,” he said. “Devotion comes from the heart, not from counting words.”

Lord Vishnu placed His hand on Narada’s head and said,
“I love all my devotees equally. I look at their hearts, not their actions.”

From that day onward, Narada changed. He no longer thought about being the greatest devotee. Instead, he focused only on loving Lord Vishnu with a pure heart.

Narada traveled the world again, but this time he taught people a simple lesson:
“Love God with your whole heart. Do not judge others. Everyone shows devotion in their own way.”

And so, the story of Narada and the Simple Farmer teaches us a beautiful message for children and adults alike. True devotion is simple, pure, and full of love. God does not count how many prayers we say. He feels the love inside our hearts.

THE END

Moral of the Story:
True devotion comes from the heart, not from how often we pray or speak God’s name.

Comprehension Questions (Understanding the story)

  1. Who is Narada?
    Answer: Narada is a great sage who loves Lord Vishnu and travels from place to place singing His praises.

  2. What instrument did Narada carry?
    Answer: He carried a veena, which is a musical instrument.

  3. Why did Narada decide to ask Lord Vishnu a question?
    Answer: He wanted to know if he was the greatest devotee of Lord Vishnu because he always chanted His name.

  4. Who did Lord Vishnu show Narada as an example of a great devotee?
    Answer: A simple farmer who loved God with his heart.

  5. How many times did the farmer chant God’s name during the day?
    Answer: Only a few times—three times during the day.

  6. What task did Lord Vishnu give Narada to show him the lesson?
    Answer: He asked Narada to carry a pot of water from the lake on the hill without spilling a drop.

  7. Why did Narada not chant God’s name while carrying the water?
    Answer: He was too focused on carrying the pot carefully and not spilling any water.

Thinking/Reflective Questions (Encouraging deeper understanding)

  1. Why do you think Lord Vishnu said the farmer was a great devotee, even though he didn’t chant often?
    Answer: Because true devotion is about love and sincerity in the heart, not just the number of prayers.

  2. What did Narada learn from carrying the water pot?
    Answer: He learned that true devotion is being fully sincere and focused in your heart, like the farmer was, not just repeating words.

  3. How is the farmer’s devotion different from Narada’s devotion?
    Answer: Narada chanted often with words, while the farmer showed love and gratitude to God in everything he did, even if silently.

  4. Can someone be a devotee even if they don’t pray all the time? Why?
    Answer: Yes, because what matters is the love and faith in the heart, not the number of prayers.

  5. What does this story tell us about judging others?
    Answer: We shouldn’t judge others’ devotion or goodness by appearances; everyone shows love in their own way.

Moral/Value-Based Questions (Applying lessons to life)

  1. What is the main lesson of this story?
    Answer: True devotion comes from the heart, with love, faith, and sincerity, not from counting prayers or words.

  2. How can we show love or devotion in our daily life, like the farmer did?
    Answer: By being grateful, helping others, working sincerely, and remembering God or values with love in our hearts.

  3. Why is it important to have love and sincerity in everything we do?
    Answer: Because actions done with love and sincerity are more meaningful than just doing them mechanically or for show.

  4. Have you ever felt grateful for something, like the farmer was grateful for his food and family? How did it feel?
    Answer: (Open-ended for the child to reflect on personal experiences.)


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