Once sage Naradha sat in meditation in the foot of Himalayan mountains. Indra got a fear that Naradha might be meditating with an aim to rule the heavens. So he sent the apsaras to deviate Naradha. They did their best by dancing and singing, however couldn't pull out Naradha from his meditation. They pleaded mercy of the sage and left the place. Naradha felt happy about himself for not getting diverted by anyone.
Naradha then went to Kailash and narrated the incident to Lord Shiva. Hearing the words the Lord understood his boastful inner thoughts. Shiva advised Naradha to keep the incident to himself and not to tell it to anyone else.
This made Naradha think that Shiva was envying his dedicated meditation. He then went to Vaikunta and narrated the incident to Lord Vishnu. Perumal understood his secret thoughts and immediately decided to set Naradha right. He praised Naradha immensely. The sage left to bhuloka after that.
On his way he saw a place which he has never seen. The King Shilanidhi, of that city, was giving his daughter Vishwamohini, in swayamvara that day. Naradha went to the palace and saw that the princess was beautiful than any other maiden he has seen in the three lokas. Seeing her face he was able to deduce that the person that would marry her will be young and prosperous ever.
Naradha got into the mood of marrying her. He wanted to present himself in such a way that she wouldn't refuse him. So, he prayed to Vishnu and asked Hari to gift him with the face of Hari. Naradha more than requesting, demanded the Lord on his wish as it was his first wish. The Lord agreed and gave him the face if Hari.
Naradha went to the palace and placed himself in the line where the kings of near and far were seated. The princess came there and saw Naradha. She turned her face in disgust and moved further and garlanded Vishnu who was also in the line.
This made Naradha very angry. He then saw himself in a mirror and found that his face was now that of a monkey. Naradha realized that the Lord played trick with words on him. The word Hari means both Vishnu and monkey.
He was very furious and cursed Vishnu for stealing his would-be wife. He said Vishnu would be born as king in earth and that someone would steal his wife and make him feel the state of Naradha. He further said that during that time the Lord has to seek the help of monkeys.
At this point the Lord removed Maya from there. There was no such city or king or princess. Naradha realized his mistake and asked for pardon. Vishnu said it is his boastful and egoistic thought that made him behave so. Naradha asked Vishnu to negate the curse that he gave to the Lord. However the Lord said it has been written on his head already and that it would take its course. The Lord then disappeared. Naradha kept repenting for what he had done for the rest of the period till Ramavathar was over.
Beating one's own drums is by itself a sin. Let's try to be modest to the extent that we can and remember that everything happens is because of the Lord and nothing can be achieved without his will.
Om namo Narayanaya!!!
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