Maya: Story

Once Narada said to Krishna, "Lord, Show me Maya." A few days passed away, and Krishna asked Narada to make a trip with him towards a desert, and after walking for several miles, Krishna said, "Narada I am thirsty; can you fetch some water for me:" I will go at once,
sir, and get you water."

So Narada went. At a little distance there was a village; he entered the village in search of water and knocked at a door, which was
opened by a most beautiful young girl. At the sight of her he immediately forgot that his master was waiting 
for water, perhaps dying for the want of it. He forgot everything and began to talk with the girl. All that
day he did not return to his Master. The next day, he was again at the house, taking to the girl. That talk
ripened into love; he asked the father for the daughter, and they were married and lived there and
has children. Thus twelve years passed. 

His father-in-law died, he inherited his property. He lived, as he seemed to think, a very happy life with
his wife and children, his fields and his cattle, and so forth. Then came the flood. One night the river
rose until it overflowed its banks and flooded the whole village. Houses fell, men and animals were
floating in the rush of the stream. Narada had to escape. With one hand he held his wife, and with the
other two of his children; another child was on his shoulders, and he was trying to ford this tremendous
flood. After a few steps he found the current was too strong. and the child on his shoulders fell and was
borne away. Acry of despair came from Narada. In trying to save that child, he lost his grasp upon one
of the others, and italso was lost. At last his wife, whom he clasped with all his might, was torn away by
the current, and he was thrown on the bank, weeping and wailing in bitter lamentation. 

Behind him there came a gentle voice, "My child, where is the water? You wenttofetch a pitcher of water, and I am waiting
for you; you have been gone for quiet half an hour." "Half an hour!" Narada exclaimed. Twelve whole years
had passed through his mind, and all there scenes happened in half an hour! And this is Maya.

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