The Tale of Hari the Humble Parrot

Setting: The Lush Gardens of Navadvipa

In the lush, verdant gardens of Navadvipa, there lived a cheerful and wise parrot named Hari. Hari was known not only for his vibrant feathers but also for his sweet chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. His heart was as pure as his voice, filled with love and humility.

The Arrogant Peacock, Mayura

One day, a magnificent peacock named Mayura arrived in Navadvipa. Mayura was proud of his splendid feathers and his melodious voice, but he lacked humility. He often boasted about his abilities and looked down upon the other birds.

The Challenge

Curious about Hari’s reputation, Mayura challenged him to a contest. “Let’s see who can chant the Holy Name of Krishna more beautifully,” he declared arrogantly.

Hari, with his gentle nature, accepted the challenge, not to compete but to please Krishna.

The Contest Begins

As the contest began, Mayura chanted the Holy Names with great skill and melody, but his heart was filled with pride and a desire for victory. His chant, although beautiful, lacked the sweetness of devotion.

Then, Hari began to chant. His voice was simple, not as melodious as Mayura’s, but every word he uttered was filled with love, humility, and devotion. The birds, animals, and even the trees of Navadvipa seemed to listen in rapt attention, absorbed in the purity of his chant.

The Revelation

At that moment, a gentle breeze carrying the fragrance of jasmine filled the garden. The animals felt an indescribable peace, and even Mayura was moved. He realized that while his chanting was technically perfect, it lacked the essence of devotion.

Hari’s Wisdom

After the contest, Mayura approached Hari with a changed heart and asked, “How could your chanting touch the heart in a way mine could not?”

Hari replied, “Dear Mayura, to connect with Krishna, one must be humble and tolerant. Pride in our abilities becomes a barrier in truly chanting His Holy Name. When we chant with humility and tolerance, our hearts open to Krishna’s love.”

Mayura’s Transformation

Understanding the wisdom in Hari’s words, Mayura began to reflect on his pride and arrogance. He spent days with Hari, learning to chant with humility. Gradually, his heart became filled with love and devotion for Krishna.

The Moral

The birds of Navadvipa witnessed a profound change in Mayura. He, who once was the epitome of pride, now became an example of humility and devotion. His chants were no longer just beautiful but were now imbued with the sweetness of pure love for Krishna.

Epilogue

The Tale of Hari the Humble Parrot and Mayura the Proud Peacock teaches us a valuable lesson. It shows us that humility and tolerance are essential to connect with Krishna. Only when we let go of our ego and chant with a pure heart, can we truly remember and connect with the Divine.

And so, Hari and Mayura, together in their humility and devotion, continued to fill the gardens of Navadvipa with the beautiful chanting of Krishna’s Holy Names, inspiring all who heard them to open their hearts to the path of love and devotion.

Disclaimer

This story is a creation intended to convey the teachings of Srila Prabhupada in a child-friendly manner. They are not direct extracts from scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita or the Srimad Bhagavatam but are inspired by the principles of Krishna Consciousness. These narratives aim to simplify profound spiritual concepts for young minds, serving as a gentle introduction to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings.