Naradha Muni is an ardent devotee of Lord Narayana. He keeps chanting the name of Lord Narayana every now and then. Once he grew very proud that he was the ultimate in 'Narayan Bhakthi'. He openly asked the Lord wheter HE consider him the best devotee or somebody else. Lord decided to take the false pride away from Naradha. HE said "Why not? Please come with me." They both reached a village and the Lord showed a farmer who was about to lay down for sleep. He just folded his hands and chanted 'Narayana' !

Naradha got puzzled,'Lord , do you really mean it?'.

'Ofcourse , watch him for a day and comeback to my abode.'

After watching the farmer for a day, Naradha got more confused as to how the Lord rated him better. He came back to Vaikundam asked the Lord,'Please don't play with my devotion for you. The farmer you mentioned wakes up in the morning and chants your name once and after the day is spent in his chores, again chants your name when he goes to sleep. Only twice a day. What is so great about it? In what way he is superior to me?'

Lord smiled and gave a cup filled with oil to the brim and said,' Take this cup and go around the world , not a drop of oil is to be spilled. Come back after finishing this task, I'll answer your question.'

After few days Naradha came back successfully and handed the cup back with glea. Lord said,'How many times did you chant my name when you were carrying the cup?'

Naradha replied.'My entire attention was on the cup. I did not chant your name for the past few days.'

Lord smiled and said ,' That answers your question. You are a great saint. The task given to you was very ordinary. Still you did not find time to take my name once. Look at the farmer. He is supporting a big family. He is going through all sorts of ordeals daily. Still he never forgets to take my name twice. You tell me, who is superior?'

Naradha hung his head in shame and realised that true devotion to Lord does'nt confine to a particular form.