12.331
Janamejaya said.
O Brāhmaṇa, you have recounted a very great narrative. Upon hearing it, all the sages were filled with the utmost astonishment. (12-331-1)
This, indeed, is the unsurpassed ocean of knowledge, extracted by churning with the intellect from the vast expanse of the hundred-thousand-versed narrative of the Bhārata. (12-331-2)
Just as fresh butter comes from curds, sandalwood from the Malaya mountain, the Āraṇyaka from the Vedas, and nectar from herbs, (12-331-3)
O Brahman, this unsurpassed nectar of stories, well-extracted and supported by the tales of Nārāyaṇa, has indeed been spoken by you, O treasure of austerity. (12-331-4)
He is truly the Lord, the glorious God, the creator of the essence of all beings. O best of the twice-born, behold the splendor of Nārāyaṇa, which is difficult to look upon. (12-331-5)
Where, at the end of a kalpa, all—Brahma and the other gods, sages, Gandharvas, and every moving and unmoving being—enter; I think there is no purifier greater than that, either in heaven or here. (12-331-6)
Visiting all hermitages and bathing in all sacred places do not give as much fruit as the story of Nārāyaṇa does. (12-331-7)
We have indeed been completely purified here by hearing this story of Hari, the Lord of the universe, from the beginning, which destroys all sins. (12-331-8)
It is not a wonder that my noble Dhananjaya, with Vāsudeva as his helper, has achieved the highest victory there. (12-331-9)
I think there is nothing unattainable for him even in the three worlds, for Viṣṇu, the lord of the three worlds, was his friend and helper. (12-331-10)
O Brahman, all my ancestors were truly blessed, for Janardana was present for their welfare and supreme good. (12-331-11)
Even by austerity, the Lord worshipped by the world is not visible; those who have seen Him directly, adorned with the mark of Śrīvatsa, are truly blessed. (12-331-12)
Among them, Nārada, born of Brahmā, is indeed the most blessed; I do not know any sage of lesser splendor than the imperishable Nārada. It was he who, having reached Śvetadvīpa, saw Hari himself. (12-331-13)
By the grace of the gods, that manifestation became visible to him; at that time, he saw the god present in the body of Aniruddha. (12-331-14)
O sage, what indeed is the reason that Nārada again ran towards the Badarī hermitage to see Nara and Nārāyaṇa? (12-331-15)
After returning from Śvetadvīpa, Nārada, the son of Brahmā, reached the hermitage at Badarī and met with those two sages. (12-331-16)
How long did he stay, which stories did he ask about, and when he returned from Śvetadvīpa, or in that great soul? (12-331-17)
What did the two great-souled sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa say? Please tell me all of that truthfully and in full detail. (12-331-18)
Vaiśampāyana said.
I offer obeisance to the divine Vyāsa of immeasurable splendor, by whose grace I shall narrate this story of Nārāyaṇa. (12-331-19)
After reaching the white great continent and seeing Hari, the imperishable, Nārada returned, O king, and swiftly came to Meru, carrying in his heart the burden of what the Supreme Self had spoken. (12-331-20)
O king, afterwards he himself became greatly afraid; but having gone far along the path, he returned here safely. (12-331-21)
Then, from Mount Meru, he proceeded to the Gandhamadana mountain. He swiftly descended from the sky towards the vast Badari. (12-331-22)
Then he saw the two gods, ancient and foremost among rishis, engaged in great austerity, firmly established in the self, and observing great vows. (12-331-23)
They are more brilliant than the Sun, the illuminator of all worlds; marked with the Śrīvatsa symbol, worthy of worship, and bearing a mass of matted hair. (12-331-24)
Those two, having arms and feet like a net, with wheel marks on their feet, broad chests, long arms, and likewise possessing four testicles. (12-331-25)
He had sixty teeth, eight fangs, a voice like the sound of a mass of clouds, two mouths, broad foreheads and beautiful jaws, with beautiful eyebrows and noses. (12-331-26)
On the heads of those two gods, there was a royal umbrella of similar appearance; thus, endowed with auspicious marks, they were known as great persons. (12-331-27)
Seeing those two, Nārada was delighted and, being honored by them, addressed them with words of welcome and was then asked about his well-being. (12-331-28)
With his mind turned inward, having seen the two supreme persons, he became one who, there, has attained the good state—those who are indeed honored by all beings. (12-331-29)
In Śveta-dvīpa, I saw two such excellent sages; thinking thus in my mind, and after circumambulating them, I sat down nearby on the auspicious seat made of kuśa grass. (12-331-30)
Then those two sages, clothed in the glory of austerity, fame, and splendor, endowed with tranquility and self-control, performed the morning ritual. (12-331-31)
Afterwards, O king, having worshipped Nārada with water for the feet and arghya, the two unperturbed ones sat on the two seats, having performed the rites due to a guest. (12-331-32)
As those were seated there, that place shone forth, just as a sacrificial altar shines with fires having great flames from ghee-offerings. (12-331-33)
Then Nārāyaṇa spoke these words to Nārada, who was comfortably seated, rested, had been properly received as a guest, and was pleasantly situated. (12-331-34)
Even now, that Lord, the eternal supreme self, whose supreme nature of both of us you have seen in Śvetadvīpa. (12-331-35)
Nārada said.
I have seen the splendid, imperishable person who bears the universal form. All the worlds, as well as the gods with the sages, are present there. Even today, I see him, and I see you two as eternal. (12-331-36)
The very characteristics by which Hari, who possesses the unmanifest form, is endowed—by those same characteristics, you two, who possess the manifest form, are indeed endowed. (12-331-37)
I saw you both there beside that god; today I have come here, having been sent by the Supreme Self. (12-331-38)
Who indeed in all the three worlds could be equal to him in brilliance, fame, and prosperity, except you two, the sons of Dharma? (12-331-39)
Previously, the name called kṣetrajña was spoken to me by him; and the manifestations that will be, have also been described as they will occur. (12-331-40)
There, those men who are white, devoid of the five senses, awakened, all of them are devotees of the Supreme Person. (12-331-41)
They always worship the god; with them, he delights as well. The Lord, the Supreme Self, is indeed fond of dear devotees and is especially fond of the twice-born. (12-331-42)
He always delights in being worshipped, for he is dear to devotees; he is the enjoyer of the universe, all-pervading, divine, a friend and affectionate to devotees. He is the creator, the cause and the effect, and possesses immense strength and brilliance. (12-331-43)
He, by austerity, is to be united with the self which is indeed beyond Śvetadvīpa; that radiance, thus well-known, is illuminated by its own light. (12-331-44)
That peace which exists in the three worlds among the perfected ones whose selves are cultivated; by this auspicious intellect, the firm vow is undertaken. (12-331-45)
There, the sun does not shine, nor does the moon shine forth. The wind does not blow; in the Lord of the gods, austerity that is difficult to perform is practiced. (12-331-46)
Having set up an eight-leveled altar of height on the earth, the all-consuming god stood on one foot, with arms raised and facing north. Reciting the Vedas with all their parts, he performed austerities that were extremely difficult to accomplish. (12-331-47)
That which Brahmā, the sages, Paśupati himself, as well as the rest—the foremost among the wise, the Daityas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas—(all know or do). (12-331-48)
Serpents, divine birds, Gandharvas, Siddhas, royal sages, and all those who always offer oblations to gods and ancestors according to prescribed rules—all of that attends at the feet of that god. (12-331-49)
All actions that are well-performed by those whose minds are steadfastly focused, the god himself accepts with his head. (12-331-50)
There is no one dearer to him than I among the awakened great souls in the three worlds; therefore, I have gone exclusively to him. Here also, I have arrived, sent forth by the Supreme Self. (12-331-51)
Thus, the blessed god Hari himself has declared this to me. I shall always remain here, intent on that, together with you both. (12-331-52)
