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In his past life Narada Muni was the son of a simple maidservant who served saintly devotees of the Lord. He was her only child, and she bound him with motherly affection.
Narada loved to listen to visiting sages when they described the glorious activities of Lord Krishna. As his heart became purified, His taste for hearing the pastimes of Lord Krishna increased.
Narada was a quiet, well-behaved and self-controlled boy. He served the sages with care and attention, and they blessed him with their mercy. Once, he took permission to eat the food they had left over. Be eating those remnants, all his sins immediatly disappeared.
When Narada was only five years old, his mother went out to milk their cow, and was suddenly bitten by a poisonous snake and died. Although dependent upon her love, he saw this as the hand of the Supreme Lord, Who always desires the best for His devotees.
Narada Muni headed north through many cities, farms, valleys, gardens and natural forests. He climbed over hills and mountains, and passed by lakes filled with lotus flowers, alive with buzzing bees and singing birds.
Narada Muni wandered alone through many frightening forests and caves, which were playgrounds for vicious snakes, jackals and owls.
Thus travelling, Narada felt very tired, thursty and hungry. He drank water and took a bath in a nearby lake, which relieved him from his exhaustion.
Refreshed, Narada Muni sat in the shade of a large banyon tree and began to meditate upon the Supersoul within himself, as he had learned from the sages in his hermitage.
When Narada Muni began to meditate upon the lotus feet of Lord Krishna with love, tears flowed from his eyes, and the Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna immediatly appeared on the lotus of his heart.
Narada Muni became overwhelmed with such happiness, he could see neither himself, nor the Lord. Upon losing the beautiful vision of the Lord, he became disturbed and suddenly stood up.
Krishna spoke to Narada Muni with pleasing words, "You will not see Me again in this lifetime. However, because of your great desire to see Me, you will become freed from all material desires and become My eternal associate.
Hearing these words, Narada Muni completely devoted himself to Lord Krishna. The Lord blessed him with eternal remembrance, and stopped speaking. Thankful for these blessings, Narada Muni offered his heartfelt obeisances.
Fully satisfied Narada Muni thus travelled all over the universe, chanting the holy name and fame of Lord Krishna. He was humble and never envious of anyone.
In time Narada Muni became fully absorbed in thinking of Krishna and therefore had no other attachments. Completely free from all material impurities, Narada Muni quit his material body, and was awarded a spiritual body as an associate of the Lord.
At the end of time, Lord Narayana lay down within the water of devastation. Narada Muni, along with all creative elements, entered into the Lord. After billions of years, at the time of universal creation, Narada Muni again appeared from the Lord's transcendental body.
Because of his fixed devotional service to the Lord, Narada Muni can travel everywhere--both in the spiritual world and in the material world.
While he travels, Narada Muni constantly sings the transcendental message and glories of the Lord. He plays a stringed instrument called a vina, which was a present from Lord Krishna, and is completely charged with transcendental sound.
The Supreme Lord Sri Krishna, Whose glories and activities are pleasing to hear, at once appears on the seat of any person's heart, as soon as one begins to chant about His holy activities.
Those who are always full of worries can cross the ocean of ignorance on the most suitable boat--the constant chanting of the transcendental names and activities of the Personality of Godhead:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare
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