Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.1321

c8.1321

(v) Born as a worm. There is a story about Nārada being born as a worm. On the approach of a chariot the worm moved quickly away from its route lest its wheel should crush it to death. The King seated in the chariot burst into laughter at the above sight when the worm told him as follows:— "There is nothing to be laughed at in my action. In every birth the body is much dear to the ātman (soul). Just as you love your body I also love and protect my body. (Mahābhārata).