Surrender
Abhidevananda
banyan tree. One day they spotted Narada Muni, the companion of Vishnu,
walking nearby.
They hailed Narada and asked of him a favor. Each of the devotees
wanted to know from Vishnu whether their meditation would bear fruit so
that one day they might be blessed to enjoy the eternal bliss of
oneness with Vishnu. Narada agreed to ask Vishnu on their behalf,
promising to return with any reply after one week.
Seven days later, Narada came again. He told the two spiritual
aspirants that Vishnu had been pleased to respond to their question.
Turning to the first man, he remarked: "Vishnu said that your wish will
be granted after only ten years more meditation." The man was shocked.
He exclaimed: "Ten years more! I have already been meditating for ten
years. I cannot wait so long again." Saying that, he departed.
To the second aspirant, Narada said: "I am sorry, but Vishnu's reply to
you is that you will have to go on meditating for as many years as
there are leaves on this banyan tree." The second devotee started
dancing in ecstasy.
Narada was confused. He said: "Perhaps you did not understand what I
said. There are thousands of leaves on this tree, and therefore you
will have to perform meditation for many, many lifetimes before your
heart's desire will be attained."
The devotee said: "I understand, but I do not mind. At least Vishnu has
been kind enough to tell me that one day I will be with Him."
Vishnu happened to be watching this scene at that very moment. Pleased
with the response of the second devotee, Vishnu gave him salvation then
and there.