foremost of regenerate ones, have
taken birth in the house of Dharma. Residing in this delightful and
spacious retreat we are undergoing the austerest penances. We are thus
engaged, O regenerate one, being moved by the desire of benefiting those
manifestations of the Supreme Deity, dear to all the celestials, that
will occur in the three worlds (for achieving diverse feats that are
incapable of being achieved by any other Being). In accordance with such
ordinances as are uncommon and as apply to us two only, O best of
regenerate persons, we are duly observing all excellent and high vows
fraught with the austerest penances. Thou, O celestial Rishi, endued with
wealth of penances wert beheld by us in White Island when thou wert
there. Having met with Narayana, thou hast made a particular resolution,
which is known to us. In the three worlds consisting of mobile and
immobile Beings, there is nothing that is unknown to us. Of good or evil
that will occur or has occurred or is occurring, that God of gods, O
great ascetic, has informed thee!"'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having heard these words of Nara and Narayana
both of whom were engaged in the practice of the austerest penances, the
celestial Rishi Narada joined his hands in reverence and became entirely
devoted to Narayana. He employed his time in mentally reciting, with due
observances, innumerable sacred Mantras that are approved by Narayana.
Worshipping the Supreme Deity Narayana, and adoring those two ancient
Rishis also that had taken birth in the house of Dharma, the illustrious
Rishi Narada, endued with great energy, continued to reside, thus
employed, in that retreat, called Vadari, on the breast of Himavat,
belonging to Nara and Narayana, for a thousand years as measured by the
standard of the celestials.'"

SECTION CCCXLVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'On one occasion, while residing in the retreat of
Nara and Narayana, Narada the son of Pramesthi, having duly accomplished
the rites and observances in honour of the deities, set himself to
perform thereafter the rites in honour of the Pitris. Beholding him thus
prepared, the eldest son of Dharma, viz., the puissant Nara addressed
him, saying, "Whom art thou worshipping, O foremost of regenerate
persons, by these rites and observances in connection with the deities
and the Pitris? O foremost of all persons endued with intelligence, tell
me this, agreeably to the scriptures. What is this that thou art doing?
What