What are the benefits of being in the company of devotees?”

Once the great sage Narada Muni went to Vaikuntha and asked Lord Vishnu, “O Lord, what are the benefits of being in the company of devotees?”

The Lord smiled and said, “O my dear Narada, go to a forest on Earth. There you will find a banyan tree, on the left branch of which will be a parrot’s nest. In the nest will be a newborn parrot. Ask that parrot’s baby this question; it will answer you.”

Following Lord Vishnu’s instructions, Narada Muni went to the tree. As soon as he arrived, an egg broke open, and a tiny parrot emerged from it.

Narad approached the bird and asked, “Little bird, please tell me what is the effect of associating with devotees?” As soon as these words were spoken, the little bird fell down and died.

Shocked and saddened, Narada Muni returned to Lord Vishnu and told him what had happened. Lord Vishnu, smiling once again, directed Narada to a village where a calf had just been born to a Brahmin. The Lord instructed, “Ask the calf questions and find your answers.”

Narada went to the village and found a newborn calf. As the calf began to stand on its feet, Narada asked, “Dear calf, tell me what is the reward of living with devotees?” As soon as he finished his question, the calf fell down and died.

Now deeply saddened, Narada Muni thought, “What a sinner I am! It seems I am the cause of two deaths.” Overwhelmed with grief, he returned to Vaikuntha and told Lord Vishnu everything.

The Lord consoled him, saying, “Don’t worry, it’s not your fault. A foal has just been born in the stable of the King of Kashi. Go and ask the foal the answer.”

Hesitant, but obedient, Narada went to the stable and carefully asked the foal the same question. As before, the foal died as soon as he finished asking.

Deeply disappointed, Narada Muni returned to Lord Vishnu. Seeing his anguish, Lord Vishnu smiled and said, “Despite all your suffering, you still haven’t found your answer. Now do one thing: a son has been born to the king of Kashi. Go and ask that child your question.”

Fearing he would cause another death, Narada protested, “Lord, enough! I don’t want to die anymore. My question should not be answered. I am already burdened with guilt; I don’t want to burden my conscience with the death of a prince.” But the Lord assured Narada, “This time you will definitely get the answer to your question.”

Very reluctantly, Narada went to the palace of the king of Kashi. The birth of the prince was a joyous occasion in the palace. When the king saw Narada Muni, he considered himself doubly fortunate and immediately took his son to the sage for blessings.

Narada lovingly took the child in his arms and softly asked, “Child, please tell me what is the fruit of living with devotees?”

Narada was astonished when the child cooed, “O best of sages, have you not yet understood?

I was the same little bird you questioned at the banyan tree. Because of a little contact with a saint like you, I was liberated from that tiny body and born as a calf.

When you questioned me in the form of a calf, I left that body and was born as a horse. Then, through a brief contact with you, I attained the most precious human form as the prince of the kingdom of Kashi.

This is the fruit of ‘sadhu sanga’—a short association with devotees. O sage, I am grateful to you for bringing me to this state.”

Finally, Narada Muni’s doubts were dispelled. He was no longer saddened by the death of the animal babies. Instead, he realized the immense power of even a brief encounter with a devotee.

He blessed the prince and happily continued on his way, singing the glories of the Lord.

This story beautifully illustrates the transformative power of associating with devotees, even for a short time. The association of a pure devotee can elevate the soul above various life forms, ultimately leading to the highest achievement of human life—spiritual enlightenment and an intimate relationship with God.