How Narada’s Ego Fell Into the Trap of Endless Samsara

The story of Narada’s illusion has been told for centuries as a gentle but powerful lesson. It is more than mythology. It is a mirror to human pride, attachment, and the fragile nature of wisdom without humility.

Narada was a celestial sage, known for his constant travels across the worlds. With his veena in hand, he spread music, knowledge, and sometimes playful mischief. People admired his wisdom, but admiration can often breed pride. Narada began to believe he was above the reach of Maya, the illusion that binds mortals in the cycle of life and death.

Ego does not arrive with noise. It arrives silently, as a whisper of superiority. For Narada, it was the thought: I cannot be touched by Maya. This quiet seed grew into pride. While ordinary beings struggled with desires, grief, and attachments, he believed he was beyond it all.

But pride has its consequences. Even the greatest sages are not beyond its grip.

Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, saw Narada’s growing arrogance. To correct it, he chose not to lecture but to teach through experience. A simple request became the doorway to a profound realization.

As Narada traveled with Vishnu, the Lord pointed toward a calm lake and asked him to fetch water. What seemed like an ordinary task turned into the beginning of an extraordinary illusion.

• When Narada bent to fill the pot with water, the world around him changed. In an instant, he was no longer the sage with a veena. He was a man of flesh and bone, subject to hunger, thirst, and desire.
• He met a woman, fell in love, and married. A family blossomed. Life became a mixture of joy and struggle. Years passed in building a home, raising children, and bearing responsibilities. Happiness filled his heart, only to be replaced by sorrow when tragedies struck.
• One day, a devastating flood swept away his family, his home, and everything he held dear. In despair, he cried out. At that very moment, the illusion dissolved.
• Narada was back at the lakeside, holding an empty pot. Vishnu stood before him, calm and smiling. Only a few seconds had passed in the real world, though Narada had lived decades in the illusion.

The experience left Narada humbled. His claim of being beyond Maya crumbled. The pain, love, and loss he felt in the illusion were no less real than any mortal’s struggles. The power of samsara had proven greater than his pride.

True wisdom, Narada realized, is not about declaring oneself untouched but about understanding the depth of life’s illusions and remaining humble before them.

The story resonates because it reflects human nature. Pride and ego often disguise themselves as strength, but they are fragile when tested by reality. Narada’s fall into samsara offers several lessons:

• Ego blinds the mind to vulnerability.
• Attachments create illusions that feel inescapable.
• Wisdom requires humility more than knowledge.
• No one is truly above the influence of Maya.
• Life itself is a teacher, often through unexpected trials.

Narada’s journey is not just an ancient tale. It speaks to modern life where pride in achievements, possessions, or even spiritual progress can make one believe they are beyond mistakes. Yet life has a way of revealing otherwise.

By remembering Narada’s experience, one can cultivate humility and accept that everyone, no matter how learned or wise, is still a student in the school of existence. The illusion of samsara is not something to dismiss but to understand with awareness and compassion.

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