Happily passing their days in the
domestic mode of life, they were treated by the Brahmanas with great
respect. Possessed of great fame and prosperity, they were employed in
teaching and officiating in sacrifices. After his disciples had gone
away, Vyasa remained in his asylum, with only his son in his company.
Passing his days in anxious thoughtfulness, the great Rishi, possessed of
wisdom, kept silent, sitting in a retired corner of the asylum. At that
time Narada of great ascetic merit came to that spot for seeing Vyasa,
and addressing him, said these words of melodious sound.
"'Narada said, O regenerate Rishi of Vasishtha's race, why are Vedic
sounds silent now? Why art thou sitting silent and alone engaged in
meditation like one taken up with an engrossing thought? Alas, shorn of
Vedic echoes, this mountain hath lost its beauty, even as the Moon shorn
of splendour when assailed by Rahu or enveloped in dust.[1751] Though
inhabited by the celestial Rishis, yet shorn of Vedic sounds, the
mountain no longer looks beautiful now but resembles a hamlet of
Nishadas.[1752] The Rishis, the deities, and the Gandharvas, too, no
longer shine as before in consequence of being deprived of Vedic
sound!--Hearing these words of Narada, the Island-born Krishna answered,
saying,--O great Rishi, O thou art conversant with the declarations of
the Vedas, all that thou hast said is agreeable to me and it truly
behoves thee to say it unto me! Thou omniscient, thou hast seen
everything.
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