es. Both of those adorable persons bore on their chests the
beautiful whirls called Sreevatsa, and both had matted locks on their
heads. And in consequence of the effulgence with which they illumined the
world they seemed to transcend the very Sun in energy. The palms of each
bore the mark called the swan's foot. The soles of their feet bore the
mark of the discus. Their chests were very broad; their arms reached down
to their knees. Each of them had four "Mushkas".[1884] Each of them had
sixty teeth and four arms.[1885] The voice of each was as deep as the
roar of the clouds. Their faces were exceedingly handsome, their
foreheads broad, their brows fair, their cheeks well-formed, and their
noses aquiline. The heads of those two deities were large and round,
resembling open umbrellas. Possessed of these marks, they were certainly
very superior persons in appearance. Beholding them, Narada became filled
with joy. He saluted them with reverence and was saluted by them in
return. They received the celestial Rishi, saying "Welcome", and made the
ordinary enquiries. Beholding those two foremost of Beings, Narada began
to reflect within himself,--"These two foremost of Rishis seem to be very
like, in appearance, unto those Rishis respected by all, whom I have seen
in White-island." Thinking in this way, he circumambulated them both and
then sat down on the excellent seat made of Kusa grass that had been
offered unto him. After this, those two Rishis that were the abode of
penances, of famous achievements, and of energy,--and were endued with
tranquillity of heart and self-restraint, went through their morning
rites. They then, with controlled hearts, worshipped Narada with water to
wash his feet and the usual ingredients of the Arghya. Having finished
their morning rites and the observances necessary for receiving their
guest, they sat down on two seats made of wooden planks.[1886] When those
two Rishis took their seats, that place began to shine with peculiar
beauty even as the sacrificial altar shines with beauty in consequence of
the sacred fires when libations of clarified butter are poured upon them.
Then Narayana, seeing Narada refreshed from fatigue and seated at his
ease and well-pleased with the rites of hospitality he had received,
addressed him, saying these words.

"'Nara and Narayana said, "Hast thou seen in White Island the Paramatma
(Supreme Soul), who is eternal and divine, and who is the high source
whence we