O
son of Kunti, assuming diverse forms do I rove at will through the Earth,
the region of Brahma himself, and that other high and eternal region of
felicity called Goloka. Protected by me in the great battle, thou hast
won a great victory. That Being whom, at the time of all thy battles,
thou beheldest stalking in thy van, know, O son of Kunti, is no other
than Rudra, that god of gods, otherwise called by the name of Kaparddin.
He is otherwise known by the name of Kala,[1881] and should be known as
one that has sprung from my wrath. Those foes whom thou hast slain were
all, in the first instance, slain by him.[1882] Do thou bend thy head
unto that god of gods, that lord of Uma, endued with immeasurable
puissance. With concentrated soul, do thou bend thy head unto that
illustrious Lord of the universe, that indestructible deity, otherwise
called by the name of Hari. He is none else than that deity who, as I
have repeatedly told thee, has sprung from my wrath. Thou hast, before
this, heard, O Dhananjaya, of the puissance and energy that reside in
him!"'"

SECTION CCCXLIV

Saunaka said, "O Sauti, excellent is this narrative which thou hast
recited. Verily, these ascetics, having heard it have all been filled
with wonder. It is said, O Sauti, that a discourse that has Narayana for
its topic, is more fruitful of merit than sojourns unto all the sacred
retreats and ablutions performed in all the sacred waters on the Earth.
Having listened to this discourse of thine that has Narayana for its
topic, that is sacred and capable of cleansing one of every sin, all of
us have certainly become holy. Adored of all the worlds, that illustrious
and foremost of deities is incapable of being beheld by the deities with
Brahma numbering among them and all the Rishis. That Narada was able to
obtain a sight of the God Narayana, otherwise called Hari, was due, O son
of Suta, to the special grace of that divine and puissant Lord. When,
however, the celestial Rishi Narada had succeeded in obtaining a sight of
the Supreme Lord of the universe, residing in the form of Aniruddha,
why did he again proceed so quickly (to the retreat of Vadari on the
breast of Himavat) for beholding those two foremost of godly of Rishis
viz., Nara and Narayana? Do you, O Sauti, tell us the reason of such
conduct on the part of Narada."

Sauti said, "During the continuance of his snake-sacrifice, Janamejaya,
the royal son of Parikshit, availing himself of an in