Lord Vishnu telling to Narada about the True Devotion

One day Sage Narada visited Lord Vishnu and and said that he wanted to know who was his favorite devotee Actually Narada was staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu and this made Narada boastful and he was expecting praise from Lord Vishnu. 

But Narada was shocked when he heard that Lord Vishnu referred a farmer on earth as his favourite devotee. Narada decided to test the devotion of the farmer. He visited farmer's house early morning and noticed that the farmer after feeding cows and short prayer went to field for work. In the evening the farmer returned and again after the short prayer and spending time with family went to sleep. 

Sage Narada was puzzled that how this farmer could be the devotee of Lord Vishnu who remember His name just twice a day.Narada returned to Lord Vishnu and asked him about His basis of judgement. 

Lord Vishnu said that before the answer there was one task which Narada had to do. He gave an earthen pot of water and told him to walk around earth and return without dropping single drop of water. Narada followed his order and went ahead. But while walking he was too engrossed and careful that no drop of water should be fall on earth. He returned. 
Lord Vishnu telling Narada about true devotion
Now, Lord Vishnu asked Narada how many times did he remember him or utter his name while doing task. Narad replied that he was too concentrating on task and it was not possible for him to remember lord or utter his name. Lord Vishnu answered that farmer was also loaded with responsibilities but still he managed to take some time for remembering him . 

This was clear message to Narada who felt overwhelmed that lord has so mercifully shown him that he should not feel proud on his feeling of devotion. 

Lord Vishnu also said that “Those who Selflessly remember me while doing their duties are ever dearer to me than those who ignore their responsibilities and then chant my name day and night in expectation of some favor".

Also read about Lord Vishnu's Matsya Incarnation:
http://krishnaseva.blogspot.com/2014/06/lord-vishnus-matsya-avtaar-story.html

*** Hare Krishna ***