Narada is a devotee of Lord Vishnu. But he wonders if he is the greatest devotee. However, Lord Vishnu takes devotion interesting.
The sage of Narada was dedicated to Vishnu. He was circling the world chanting his name, "Narayana, Narayana, Narayana ..."
Once, the sage Narada met Vishnu and said, "Narada, you are dear to me. I am happy with your devotion."
"Does that mean I am your devotee?" Narada asked.
Vishnu smiled and said "No".
Narada was now confused, "Is there anyone who is a bigger devotee than me?"
"Let us find out," answered the Lord.
Morning time. Vishnu took Narada to a cottage, where he found a farmer lying down. As the day dawned, the farmer woke up and clapped his hands in prayer and said, "Narayana, Narayana".
Lord Vishnu departed, saying, "See this devotee for a whole day, then visit me."
The farmer was ready and set out for his field. Narada followed him. The farmer plowed his land in the hot sun all morning.
"He never took the name of the Lord!" Narada thought to himself.
The farmer took a break to have lunch. "Narayana, Narayana" before eating. After finishing the meal, the farmer continued to plow the land.
The next day Narada met Vishnu and said, "So, Narada, do you still doubt that the farmer is my devotee?"
Narada sighed, "Lord, the farmer worked all day. He took your name only three times - when he got up in the morning, before lunch, and before he went to sleep. But I will chant your name all the time. Why do you consider him as your devotee?".
Lord Vishnu smiled and said, "I will answer your question in a minute. But can I have some water first? There is a lake on this hill. Please bring me its water in a pot. Make sure you do not drip even a drop of water."
The Narada went up the hill, found a lake, and filled the water in a pot. Putting the pot on his head, he started walking, chanting "Narayana, Narayana".
Then he stopped. "Wait, I have to be careful. Vishnu has told me that even a drop of water cannot spill."
The Narada slowly descended from the hill. His focus was on the water pot. He took one step at a time, taking care not to drop a drop of water from the pot.
Finally, he reached Vishnu at the foot of the hill. The sun was drowning. Narada carefully unloaded the pot and offered it to the Lord, then said, "Lord, not a drop of water has been spilled."
"That's a good nerve. But tell me, how many times have you taken my name?" Lord Vishnu asked.
"Prabhu, my focus has been on the water all the time. I can only take your name twice - when I start walking, and after I put the pot down," said Narada.
Lord Vishnu smiled. Narada realized that if the farmer had taken the name of the Lord three times in the day, he had taken his name only twice! "Narayana, Narayana," he fell to Vishnu's foot.
Vishnu blessed Narada. "Feeling important. I can feel the love of the farmer as I feel your love for me."
"I can feel your love for all your believers," he said.
Narada thus realized that devotion to God is love. He realizes that God loves everyone equally.
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