Impelled by curiosity he
entered that retreat at the hour of Nara's and Narayana's, performing
their daily rites. He said unto himself.--This is truly the retreat of
that Being in whom are established all the worlds including the deities,
the Asuras, the Gandharvas, the Kinnaras, and the great snakes! There was
only one form of this great Being before. That form took birth in four
shapes for the expansion of the race of Dharma which have been reared by
that deity. How wonderful it is that Dharma has thus been honoured by
these four great deities viz., Nara, Narayana, and Hari and Krishna! In
this spot Krishna and Hari dwelt formerly. The other two, however, viz.,
Nara and Narayana, are now dwelling here engaged in penances for the
object of enhancing their merit. These two are the highest refuge of the
universe. What can be the nature of the daily rites these two perform?
They are the sires of all creatures, and the illustrious deities of all
beings. Endued with high intelligence, what is that deity whom these two
worship? Who are those Pitris whom these two Pitris of all beings
adore?--Thinking of this in his mind, and filled with devotion towards
Narayana, Narada suddenly appeared before those two gods. After those two
deities had finished their adoration to _their_ deities and the Rishis,
they looked at the celestial Rishi arrived at their retreat. The latter
was honoured with those eternal rites that are ordained in the
scriptures. Beholding that extraordinary conduct of the two original
deities in themselves worshipping other deities and Pitris, the
illustrious Rishi Narada took his seat there, well pleased with the
honours he had received.
Pages:
2521
2522
2523
2524
2525
2526
2527
2528
2529
2530
2531
2532
2533
2534
2535
2536
2537
2538
2539
2540
2541
2542
2543
2544
2545