Story from India
“What is Maya?”, One day Narada asked Lord Krishna. Krishna knowing Narada, he knows simple explanation will not satisfy him. He needs explanations with experience. Lord Krishna said.
“Narada, walk with me. I will explain what is Maya”.
They both walked for a long time. Krishna did not talk a word. Narada got puzzled by this behavior. However he did not ask Krishna what he is doing. They kept walking. Soon they could see desert land.
Krishna stopped and said
“Narada, I am parched. Could you please go and fetch some water for me? I cannot walk not even a step with out some water.”
“Lord Krishna, Don’t worry. I will got and get water for you.”
Narada left looking for water. He walked and walked. In desert land, he couldn’t find any well or water source. However, after two hours, he found a village. He quickly went towards village. He saw a beautiful young lady by the village well.
“Oh beautiful young lady, could you please give me some water” Narada asked.
“Sure sage. I can.”
Narada drank water as he enjoyed her beauty. He couldn’t take her eyes away from her. He decides to follow her home. He watched her walking in to home near the paddy field. He walked in and saw her father outside cleaning the front verandah.
“I am Narada- celestial sage. I wanted to marry your daughter.”
Knowing Narada who he is, the father did not say anything. He agreed to give her daughter to Narada. Only one condition he put forward.
“One who marries my daughter should stay here and take care of my land and agriculture. I will not live long. Do you agree, then you can have her.”
With out any hesitation, Narada agreed to this condition. They got married. Years pass by, Narada had two kids. He took care of land and agriculture. His business grew and they lived happily. Soon one monsoon, the flood came and took away all his possessions. Narada tried to rescue his wife and kids. Flood current took them away from him.
Narada started crying so loud “Oh lord, how can i live now. My kids, My family, My house… All gone.” he couldn’t stop crying. Soon he felt some one touch his shoulder
“Narada Look around, nothing happened. What you just experience is Maya. It is an illusion. You never left this place. Look, I am here, you are here. You never got married. Nothing happened. Hope you understand now. What is Maya…”
One Who Hated Books 