origin of the universe, uniform, and the supreme
actor, that which transcends all pairs of opposites, and is inactive,
has, choosing to be manifested, been pleased to assume this one blessed
form, (for though double, the two but represent the same form). This Nara
and Narayana (the displayed forms of Supreme Brahman) have taken birth in
the race of Dharma. The foremost of all deities, these two are observers
of the highest vows and endued with the severest penances. Through some
reason best known to Him, I myself have sprung from the attribute of His
Grace. Eternal as thou art, for thou hast ever existed since all the past
creations, thou too hast sprung from His Wrath. With myself then, these
deities, and all the great Rishis, do thou adore this displayed form of
Brahma, and let peace be unto all the worlds without any delay.'--Thus
addressed by Brahma, Rudra forthwith cast off the fire of his wrath, and
set himself to gratify the illustrious and puissant God Narayana.[1879]
Indeed, he soon placed himself at the disposal of the adorable
boon-giving and puissant God Narayana. That boon-giving God Narayana, who
hath his wrath and the senses under control, soon became gratified and
reconciled with Rudra. Well-adored by the Rishis, by Brahma, and by all
the deities, that great God, the Lord of the universe, otherwise called
by the name of Hari, then addressed the illustrious Isana and said these
words:--'He that knows thee, knows me. He that follows thee, follows me.
There is no difference between thee and me. Do thou never think
otherwise. The mark made by thy lance on my chest will from this day
assume the form of a beautiful whirl, and the mark of my hand on thy
throat will also assume a beautiful shape in consequence of which thou
shalt, from this day, be called by the name of Sreekantha.'"

"'The blessed and holy one[1880] continued. "Having mutually caused such
marks on each other's person, the two Rishis Nara and Narayana thus made
friends with Rudra, and dismissing the deities, once more set themselves
to the practice of penances with a tranquil soul. I have thus told thee,
O son of Pritha, how in that battle which took place in days of yore
between Rudra and Narayana, the latter got the victory. I have also told
thee the many secret names by which Narayana is called and what the
significations are, O Bharata, of one of those names, which, as I have
told thee, the Rishis have bestowed upon the great God. In this way,