succeeded in beholding Narayana as existing in the form of Aniruddha.  Having beheld Narayana in that form, why did Narada hasten once more to the retreat of Vadari for the purpose of beholding Nara and Narayana?  What was the reason, O ascetic, of this step taken by Narada?  How long also did Narada the son of Pramesthi, after his return from White Island and arrival at Vadari and meeting with the two Rishis Nara and Narayana, live there, and what conversations had he with them?  What did those two high-souled and foremost of Rishis say unto him?  It behoveth thee to say all this unto me!’”

Vaisampayana said,[1883] “Salutations unto the holy Vyasa of immeasurable energy.  Through his grace I shall recite this narrative having Narayana for its topic.  Arrived at White Island, Narada beheld the immutable Hari.  Leaving that spot he quickly proceeded, O king, to the mountains of Meru, bearing in his mind those weighty words that Paramatma (the Supreme Lord) had said unto him.  Arrived at Meru he became filled with wonder at the thought, O king, of what he had achieved.  And he said unto himself, ’How wonderful is it!  The journey I have performed is a long one.  Having proceeded to such a distance, I have come back safe and sound.  From the mountains of Meru he then proceeded towards Gandhamadana.  Traversing through the skies he quickly alighted upon that extensive retreat known by the name of Vadari.  There he beheld those ancient deities, viz., those two foremost of Rishis, (called Nara and Narayana), engaged in the practice of penances, observing high vows, and devoted to the worship of their own selves.  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