Attention Quote by Deepak Chopra
““In India they tell a fable about this: There was once a great devotee of Vishnu who prayed night and day to see his God. One night his wish was granted and Vishnu appeared to him. Falling on his knees, the devotee cried out, "I will do anything for you, my Lord, just ask." "How about a drink of water?" Vishnu replied. Although surprised by the request, the devotee immediately ran to the river as fast as his legs could carry him. When he got there and knelt to dip up some water, he saw a beautiful woman standing on an island in the middle of the river. The devotee fell madly in love on the spot. He grabbed a boat and rowed over to her. She responded to him, and the two were married. They had children in a house on the island; the devotee grew rich and old plying his trade as a merchant. Many years later, a typhoon came along and devastated the island. The merchant was swept away in the storm. He nearly drowned but regained consciousness on the very spot where he had once begged to see God. His whole life, including his house, wife, and children, seemed never to have happened. Suddenly he looked over his shoulder, only to see Vishnu standing there in all his radiance. "Well," Vishnu said, "did you find me a glass of water?””
About This Quote
Source Story: Traditional Indian fable retold by Deepak Chopra, 2010
A devotee seeks a simple request from God, leading to unexpected love, wealth, loss, and a reminder that divine encounters may be ordinary.
In simple terms: Divine moments can appear as mundane requests.
Seek meaning in everyday experiences.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- life decisions
- relationship choices
- personal loss
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the water request symbolize?
- How do we recognize divine presence?
The story simplifies complex theology.