The Busy Householder and the Power of Chanting
Narada Muni’s Encounter with the Busy Householder
Once Narada Muni met a householder and preached to him about the value of chanting the holy names of Lord Rama.
However, the man responded much like many people in the modern world:
“It is nice to chant, Narada, but you know, I am so busy I have no time! I have so many duties to perform every day. I need to work and take care of my wife and children. So many duties, so no time to chant!”
Narada Muni, ever wise and understanding, asked, “Is there any little free time in your busy day?”
The man thought for a moment and replied, “I do not know! The only free time I have is when I am sitting in the toilet. There, I have some free, undisturbed minutes!”
“Wonderful, then you start chanting the holy names of Lord Rama when you are in the toilet!” Narada Muni said happily and went away.
The Householder Begins to Chant
The busy man began chanting every day when he was in the toilet. While modern people often read books or newspapers during this time, our spiritual man chanted the holy names of Rama.
Hanuman’s Reaction
Hearing the intensity of chanting the names of his master, Hanuman started searching for the source. “Who is so devotedly chanting the names of my master?” he wondered. Finally, Hanuman found the man chanting “Rama, Rama” while sitting in his toilet.
Seeing this, Hanuman became very angry. He thought, “Who is this man who so disrespectfully chants the holy names of Rama while sitting in such an impure place as a toilet? I will finish him!” Hanuman started kicking the man with his legs but could not move him even an inch. Hanuman tried even harder but was not successful.
Baffled, Hanuman thought, “I am one of the most powerful persons in the universe, but I cannot even touch this man. What is happening?”
Narada Muni’s Explanation
At that moment, Narada Muni appeared on the scene and asked, “Hanuman, what is happening?”
“I am trying to kick this man who chants the holy names of my Lord Rama in the toilet, but I cannot do anything to him. Help me!” Hanuman pleaded.
Narada Muni smiled and explained, “My dear Hanuman, when one is chanting the holy names of Lord Rama, he is personally associating with Lord Rama. The Lord and His names are not different, so who can hurt a person who is chanting? Because he is so busy in life, this is the only place he can chant. The holy name cannot be contaminated even by chanting in a dirty place such as the toilet.”
Understanding the glories of the holy names of his Lord Rama, Hanuman continued chanting, and our busy man continued chanting in the toilet even up to this day.
Moral of the Story
By chanting the holy name, we associate with the Lord. So why not always chant and be in personal association with God? Chanting the holy names transcends all material conditions and environments.
Prayer
Let us pray for the strength and determination to chant the holy names of the Lord in all circumstances, recognizing the immense power and protection that comes with this practice.
Hare Krishna Mahamantra: 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 so that everyone can benefit by hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
