ally Vishnu himself, that great Lord of the
universe. Exceedingly fortunate and commendable were those ancestors of
mine, since they had Janarddana himself for looking after their temporal
and spiritual prosperity. Adored of all the worlds, the holy Narayana is
capable of being beheld with the aid of austerities alone. They, however,
succeeded in beholding Narayana, adorned with the beautiful whirl on his
chest. More fortunate than my ancestors was the celestial Rishi Narada,
the son of Pramesthi. Indeed, I think that Narada, who transcends all
destruction, was endued with an energy that was not little, for repairing
to White-Island he had succeeded in beholding the person of Hari. Indeed,
it is evident that the sight he had obtained of the Supreme Lord was due
to only the grace of that Being. Fortunate was Narada inasmuch as he had
succeeded in beholding Narayana as existing in the form of Aniruddha.
Having beheld Narayana in that form, why did Narada hasten once more to
the retreat of Vadari for the purpose of beholding Nara and Narayana?
What was the reason, O ascetic, of this step taken by Narada? How long
also did Narada the son of Pramesthi, after his return from White Island
and arrival at Vadari and meeting with the two Rishis Nara and Narayana,
live there, and what conversations had he with them? What did those two
high-souled and foremost of Rishis say unto him? It behoveth thee to say
all this unto me!'"

"Vaisampayana said,[1883] 'Salutations unto the holy Vyasa of immeasurable
energy. Through his grace I shall recite this narrative having Narayana
for its topic. Arrived at White Island, Narada beheld the immutable Hari.
Leaving that spot he quickly proceeded, O king, to the mountains of Meru,
bearing in his mind those weighty words that Paramatma (the Supreme Lord)
had said unto him. Arrived at Meru he became filled with wonder at the
thought, O king, of what he had achieved. And he said unto himself, "How
wonderful is it! The journey I have performed is a long one. Having
proceeded to such a distance, I have come back safe and sound." From the
mountains of Meru he then proceeded towards Gandhamadana. Traversing
through the skies he quickly alighted upon that extensive retreat known
by the name of Vadari. There he beheld those ancient deities, viz., those
two foremost of Rishis, (called Nara and Narayana), engaged in the
practice of penances, observing high vows, and devoted to the worship of
their own selv