Chapter 19 - Nārada Meets Nara and Nārāyaṇa

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Skanda said:

1-4. Then he saw the two divine, ancient, excellent sages performing a great penance. They were established in their Ātmans and were great performers of religious observances. By their refulgence they superseded the Sun who illuminates all the world. They were characterised by Śrīvatsa and were worthy of worship. They had circular mass of matted hair. Their arms (palms?) were characterised by lotus. They had discus-sign on (the soles of) their feet. Their chests were broad (and well developed). They had long arms and wore white, fine, compact silken garment. They had excellent faces with high foreheads, excellent eyelashes and beautiful nose. They were endowed with auspicious characteristics, divine form with excessively brilliant lustre.

5. Approaching them with humility, he circumambulated them. He devoutly prostrated himself before them (touching the ground). He stood before them with palms folded in reverence.

6-7. Then, both of the sages, the abodes of penance, glory and lustre, broke their silence at the end of the rituals perfomed in the first part of the day. They worshipped (received) Nārada by offering Pādya and Arghya in a quiet manner. They sat on their seats and Nārada on one of Kuśa grass.

8. When they were seated there, the place shone like an enclosure of sacrifice illuminated by fires having huge flames after receiving oblation of ghee.

9. Then Nārāyaṇa addressed Nārada who had taken rest, was received with hospitality and respect and was seated comfortably there.

Śrī Nārāyaṇa said:

10. O Brāhmaṇa, was eternal Lord, the Supreme Soul, the great cause (source) of both of us seen by you in the Brahmadhāma (residence of Brahman)?

Nārada said:

11. Venerable Sir! It is through your favour that I saw the Supreme Lord Vāsudeva staying in his imperishable residence.

12. Being sent by him to serve you both, I have come here only. I shall always stay with you remaining exclusively devoted to him.

Śrī Nārāyaṇa said:

13. You are blessed; you are favoured (by God) that the Lord Himself was seen by you. Neither a Deva not a sage has ever seen him, O Brāhmaṇa.

14. Those devotees only who by exclusive devotion unto him have attained imperishable equality with him, (can) see him who is the cause of everything.

15. That the Supreme Person, the Lord of divine form, is very difficult to be seen, is the purport of a true statement of mine, O Nārada.

16. None other than his devotee is more dear to him in this world. Hence he manifested himself to you, O excellent Brāhmaṇa.

17. His person is enveloped by a mass of lustre. His mysterious form transcends Guṇas. Complete bliss constitutes his form. He is forever pure and imperishable.

18. He does not have a form, complexion, age of the ordinary type (or derived from Prakṛti). Whatever he has is divine including his weapons. He alone is the highest resort of devotees exclusively attached to him.

19. Devotion to Vāsudeva is performed by persons who have realized the one-ness of Ātman and Brahman and who have desisted from Guṇas. He is endowed with such qualities.

20. Who is capable of describing the greatness of this Supreme Soul, who is the master of incomprehensible, infinite powers, O great sage?

21-22. He is the Soul of souls, imperishable Soul, unsoiled and pure like the firmament, visible only to persons endowed with divine vision, who is pure existence, the Puruṣa born of Vasudeva. He is endowed with all auspicious qualities, attributeless, the master of all rulers. He, the knower of Brahman, the master is knowable through superior knowledge. He should be propitiated.

23. He who pleases that Lord of divine form with penance solely devoted to him, and pious devotion, is the most blessed.

24. Therefore, O divine sage, you also propitiate him with exclusive pious devotion, and perform penance here for some time, O dear one.

25. With your soul extremely purified with penance, you will (be in a position to) know truly all the glory of the Lord, the great soul, as will be described by me.

26. Know that penance is the means of attaining all objectives (and) his heart, O sage. The Lord is not won over by a person who has not performed extreme penance.

Skanda said:

27. Addressed thus by revered Nara-Nārāyaṇa, he (Nārada) was pleased. Being desirous of performing penance, the highly intelligent one spoke.