Narada

A famous sage in Hindu mythology,
equally renowned for his qualities as a
musician and as a gossip. Narada plays a
stringed instrument known as the vina,
serving as the bard to the gods. His
ambition as a musician apparently
exceeds his actual skill, since several of
his mythic stories describe him being
humbled. In his capacity as wandering
musician, he also conveys news and
gossip. In many cases Narada’s newsbearing is the vehicle advancing the plot
in a story. According to one famous
story, he requests that Vishnu give a
demonstration of his magic (maya).
Vishnu sends him to a nearby farmhouse for some water, where Narada
meets an enchantingly beautiful
woman. Forgetting all about his errand,
the two fall in love, are married, and have
several children. After several years of
wedded bliss, severe floods wash away
his home and drown his family. As he
mourns his loss, he finds himself back
on the side of road with Vishnu, who is
still asking him to go to the farmhouse to
get some water.