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Naarad Jee's Moh
Although Naarad Jee is a Devarshi, still he gets deluded very soon and loses his way. Then Bhagvaan Vishnu has to bring him on the way. There are two incidents, so far known to me, I write them here.

(1) Naarad Moh in Maanas
This incident has been cited by Tulasee Daas Jee in the Baal Kaand of his "Raam Charit Maanas" as a reason of Raam Avataar. Once Naarad Jee was doing Tapasyaa. Seeing him doing Tapasyaa, as usual Indra got worried and he sent Kaamdev to disturb his Tapasyaa. But Naarad Jee did not get disturbed so Kaamdev got scared Muni's Shaap and held his feet. Naarad was not angry at all and consoled him with his sweet words, so he came back. Now Naarad Jee was very proud. He went to Indra's assembly and narrated this incident. Everybody there admired Naarad Jee.

Naarad Jee got very happy, so he went to Shiv Jee and told everything to him too. Shiv considered him his own so he suggested that as he has told this incident to him, he should not tell it anybody else. Even if somebody mentions it you should try to hide it. But Naarad Jee didn't like Shiv's advice, so he went to Brahmaa Jee. Once he went to Vishnu and told this incident with pride that he had won Kaamdev. Hearing this Vishnu got worried. He thought that Naarad should be brought on the way otherwise he will be swayed away. Naarad Jee left the place. As he was on his way he saw a city. He thought that was a new city, he had never seen it, so he entered the city. There he saw that its king Sheelnidhi was busy in his daughter's Swayamvar. 

As he went to the palace, the king greeted him and asked the good and bad omens of his daughter Vishwamohinee. His daughter was very beautiful. Naarad Jee got attracted to her and told him that that she would be married to an immortal and invincible being. King got very happy to hear this. Now Naarad Jee thought, "Why not I should marry her?" So he went to Vishnu considering Him as his best well wisher. He said to Him - "Give me your own beauty so that the princess should choose me as her husband. Do something which is good for me soon." Hari said - "Surely I will do the same which is best for you." And He went away.

Naarad Jee thought that he has got Hari's beauty so he immediately went to the princess Swayamvar and started waiting foe princess to come. There were many Devtaa and Hari Himself too. She came and started looking for a suitable. Naarad was sure that the princess would her Varmaalaa in his neck only, but surprisingly she didn't even look at him. Rather she put the Varmaalaa in Hari's neck and He took her to His Lok. Naarad Jee got very angry as what had happened. In the meantime, Shiv's two Gan started laughing looking at him, then said to him - "Rishi Jee, go and see your face first" and ran away in fear of Devarshi's Shaap.

Naarad Jee went to a pond and saw his shadow in its water. Hari gave him a monkey's face. Seeing this he filled with anger and went to Hari's place. On the way he met Hari flanked with Lakshmee and the princess. As Hari saw him, He asked - "Hey Muni, Where are you rushing to?" Naarad Jee said - "What do you think yourself? There is nobody elder to you that is why you think that you can do whatever you like? This time you are dealing with me. I give you Shaap that you should take birth as a human being on Earth. As I am grieved in separation of that princess, you should also grieve in the separation of your wife. And since you have given me monkey's face, only monkeys will help you." Hari bent His head and accepted his Shaap. 

Then Naarad saw that there was neither Lakshmee Jee nor that princess, only Hari was standing smiling. Seeing this Naarad understood that it was all Hari's Maayaa. Naarad Jee also came into senses. He fell down on His feet and asked His forgiveness. He wished that his Shaap go false, but Hari said - "Don't worry Naarad, It was all by my inspiration. You had lost my Bhakti so I had to bring you on your right path. I accept your Shaap. Go and do Jaap of Shankar's hundred names. You will get peace in your heart." Naarad Jee went away. On the way he saw those two Gan, so he gave them Shaap - "Go and become Raakshas on Prithvi. You will win Trilok and Vishnu will give you Mukti when He will be born as human being on Prithvi." Shankar's Gan went away after bending their heads to Naarad Jee.

So that is how he was affected by Hari's Maayaa

(2) I read this story in a book "Dialog with Death" by Eknath Easwaran. This book is about Kath Upanishad. Once Naarad Jee went to Krishn and said to Him - "Could you explain me the secret of your magic, called Maayaa?" Krishn hesitated a while because understanding His Maayaa could take a whole life, but then considering him his favorite He said - "Why not? Let us sit down in the shade of this tree then I will explain it to you. But Naarad, it is very hot, would you bring a glass of cool water for me first?" Naarad said - "Why not? You just wait, I come back soon." And Naarad proceeded in one direction.

As he went forward he saw a line of thatched huts. But those huts were not so near as they looked. Naarad also felt so much heat while going there that he thought that he would ask for two glasses of water instead of one, one for himself and one for Krishn. As he arrived in the village, he knocked the first door. The door opened and there stood a most beautiful girl Naarad had ever seen before. She smiled at Naarad and Naarad felt something in his heart and body he had never felt before. He stammered a little and could only utter - "Will you marry me?" The girl agreed and both got married. They started their blissful married life.

After a while children started coming. All this made Naarad a staunch householder. Naarad and his wife became so engrossed in their new life, a little private world, quietly building their dreams. Years passed, the children grew up, went to school, got married, and in time Naarad got grandchildren too. Now Naarad became the father of the village, everybody respected him. He and his wife would look at each other and say - "Don't you think that being grandparents is the greatest bliss of our life?"

Then came a great flood. The whole village was filled with water. Just everything he loved and lived for - his land, cattle, house, even his wife, children and grandchildren - all were swept away in that flood. Only he alone remained alive in that village. Unable to watch the destruction, he cried for help - "Krishn, Krishn". At once the flood disappeared and there was standing Krishn, as he left Him before coming to this village. Krishn asked - "Naarad, Where is my glass of water? Have you brought it?"

This was another time he was affected by Hari's Maayaa.

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