---
title: A Story from Raja Yoga
description: A story extracted from Raja Yoga book written by Swami Vivekananda
---

There was a great god-sage called *Narada*. Just as there
are sages among mankind, great *Yogis*, so there are great
*Yogis* among the gods. *Narada* was a good *Yogi*, and very
great. He travelled everywhere.

One day he was passing through a forest, and he saw a man
who had been meditating until the white ants had built a
huge mound round his body, he had been sitting in that
position so long. He said to *Narada*, “Where are you going?”
*Narada* replied, “I am going to heaven.” “Then ask God when
He will be merciful to me; when I will attain freedom.”
Further on *Narada* saw another man. He was jumping about,
singing, dancing, and said, “Oh, *Narada*, where are you going?”
His voice and his gestures were wild. *Narada* said, “I am going
to heaven.” “Then, ask when I will be free.” So *Narada* went on.

In the course of time he came again by the same road, and there
was the man who had been meditating till the anti-hills had
grown round him. He said “Oh, *Narada*, did you ask the
Lord about me?” “Oh, yes.” “What did He say?” “The
Lord told me that you would attain freedom in four more
births.” Then the man began to weep and wail, and said, “I
have meditated until an ant-hill has been raised around me,
and I have four more birth yet!”

*Narada* went to the other man. “Did you ask my question?”
“Oh, yes. Do you see this tamarind tree? I have to tell you
that as many leaves as there are on that tree, so many times
you will be born, and then you will attain freedom.” Then the
man began to dance for joy, and said, “I will have freedom
after such a short time.” A voice came, “My child, you will
have freedom this minute.” That was the reward for his perseverance.

He was ready to work through all those births, nothing discouraged
him. But the first man felt that even four more births must
be too long. Only perseverance like that of the man who was
willing to wait æons will bring about the highest result.