ulgence is as immeasurable as Brahma itself, with sins all
destroyed, capable of beholding through the prosperity of his penances
both this and the other world at once, and the equal of the celestial
Rishis in the region of the Creator, roved according to his pleasure
through the triple world. One day, rising up at dawn, he wished to
perform his ablutions, and for that purpose went to the river Ganga as
she issued out of the pass known by the name of Dhruva and plunged into
the stream.[858] At that time the thousand-eyed Indra also, the wielder
of the thunderbolt, and the slayer of Samvara and Paka, came to the very
bank where Narada was. The Rishi and the deity, both of souls under
perfect command, finished their ablutions, and having completed their
silent recitations, sat together. They employed the hour in reciting and
listening to the excellent narratives told by the great celestial Rishis
descriptive of many good and high deeds. Indeed, with concentrated
attention the two were engaged in such pleasant discourse on ancient
history.[859] While sitting there they beheld the rising Sun casting his
thousand rays right before him. Seeing the full orb, both of them stood
up and hymned his praises. Just at that time they beheld in the sky, in a
direction opposite to that of the rising star of day, some luminous
object, resplendent as blazing fire and that seemed to be a second star
of day. And they saw, O Bharata, that that luminous object was gradually
approaching towards them both. Riding upon Vishnu's vehicle adorned with
Garuda and Surya himself, that object blazed forth with unrivalled
splendour, and seemed to illumine the three worlds. The object they saw
was none other than Sree herself, attended by many Apsaras endued with
splendid beauty. Indeed, she looked like a large solar disc herself,
possessed of effulgence resembling that of fire. Adorned with ornaments
that looked like veritable stars, she wore a wreath that resembled a
garland of pearls. Indra saw that goddess called Padma having her
habitation in the midst of lotuses. Descending from her foremost of cars,
that unrivalled lady began to approach towards the lord of the three
worlds and the celestial Rishi Narada. Followed by Narada, Maghavat also
proceeded towards that lady. With joined hands, he offered himself up to
her, and versed as he was with all things, he worshipped her with
reverence and sincerity never surpassed. The adorations over, the lord of
c