Narada Muni’s Encounter with the Beggar
The Beggar’s Plea
Once, Narada Muni was walking somewhere, and there was a beggar sitting on the roadside. The beggar saw Narada Muni and ran towards him, pleading, “O Saint! I am not getting any charity today. Can you please fill up my begging bowl?”
Narada Muni’s Response
The beggar did not know that Narada himself was penniless. Narada replied, “I don’t have anything. But, I will give a recommendation letter to Kuber. He is the treasurer of Heaven, and he would definitely help you.”
The Letter to Kuber
So, Narada wrote a letter to Kuber:
‘Dear Kuber,
I am sending a beggar with his begging bowl. Please see to it that the bowl is filled.
Yours very affectionately,
Narada.’
The beggar was very pleased and went to Kuber, showing him the letter.
Kuber’s Efforts
Kuber was happy to see the letter from Narada and immediately ordered his servants to do the needful and give a lot of wealth to this poor man. After some time, his servants came running to Kuber and told him that even after emptying the whole treasure house, the bowl could not be filled. They were perplexed and were wondering what was wrong.
Narada Muni’s Revelation
Meanwhile, Narada Muni came that way, and when he heard the situation, he asked the beggar to show him the bowl. He asked him to turn it upside down to see whether there was any hole at the bottom. When the beggar did that, they found that it was not a begging bowl but a human skull! This explained why it was not getting filled even after emptying the whole treasure.
Moral of the Story
So please remember, as long as our senses are materially contaminated, the human mind always hankers and cannot be satisfied even if Kuber’s treasure is awarded to it. Due to this unsatisfied mind, we always suffer. So please take shelter of the Holy Names and Shastras and always be satisfied with whatever Krishna has blessed you with and continue sincerely in your devotional service.
There is a famous saying that goes as follows: “There is enough in this world for every man’s need; But not for even one man’s greed.” So, may we remember this and always be attached to Krishna’s Lotus Feet.
Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita verse 18.54: brahma-bhutah prasannatma na shocati na kaankshati
samah sarveshu bhuteshu mad-bhaktim labhate paraam
“One who is thus transcendentally situated, at once realizes the Supreme Brahman. He never laments nor desires to have anything; he is equally disposed to every living entity. In that state, he attains pure devotional service unto Me.”
As soon as we become brahma-bhuta, a living entity who is in search of Sri Krishna – the first reward which the Lord bestows is transcendental bliss, and so we become “prasannatma” – fully joyful. In that stage, the devotee never laments or desires.
(Story from Puranas)
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
PS: I humbly request all the devotees to please forward and share this moral/instructive story they hear so that everyone can be benefited by hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
