viz., the Rishi Vyasa, the son of Gandhavati, has himself recited this discourse unto us on the glory of Narayana, that glory which is the highest and which is immutable.  I heard it from him and have recited it to thee exactly as I heard it, O sinless one.  This cult, with its mysteries and its abstract of details, was obtained by Narada, O king, from that Lord of the universe, viz., Narayana himself.  Even such are the particulars of this great cult.  I have, before this, O foremost of kings, explained it to thee in the Hari-Gita, with a brief reference to its ordinances.[1892] Know that the Island-born Krishna, otherwise called Vyasa, is Narayana on Earth.  Who else than he, O tiger among kings, could compile such a treatise as the Mahabharata?  Who else than that puissant Rishi could discourse upon the diverse kinds of duties and cults for the observance and adoption of men?  Thou hast resolved upon performing a great sacrifice.  Let that sacrifice of thine proceed as determined by thee.  Having listened to the diverse kinds of duties and cults, let thy Horse-sacrifice go on.”

Sauti continued, That best of kings, having heard this great discourse, began all those rites that are laid down in the ordinance, for the completion of his great sacrifice.  Questioned by thee, O Saunaka, I have duly recited to thee and all these Rishis that are denizens of the Naimisha forest, that great discourse having Narayana for its topic.  Formerly Narada had recited it to my preceptor in the hearing of many Rishis and the sons of Pandu and in the presence of Krishna and Bhishma also.[1893] The Supreme deity Narayana is the Lord of all the foremost of Rishis, and of the three worlds.  He is the upholder of Earth herself of vast proportions.  He is the receptacle of the Srutis and of the attribute of humility.  He Is the great receptacle of all those ordinances that should be practised for attaining to tranquillity of heart, as also of all those that go by the name of Yama.  He is always accompanied by the foremost of regenerate persons.  Let that great deity be thy refuge.  Hari ever does what is agreeable and beneficial to the denizens of heaven.  He is always the slayer of such Asuras (as become troublesome to the three worlds).  He is the receptacle of penances.  He is possessed of great fame.  He is the slayer of the Daityas known by the name of Madhu and Kaitabha.  He is the ordainer of the ends that are attained to by persons acquainted with and observant of scriptural and other duties.  He dispels the fears of all persons.  He takes the foremost of those offerings that are dedicated in sacrifices.  He is thy refuge and protection.  He is endued with attributes.  He is freed from attributes.  He is endued with a quadruple form.  He shares the merits arising from the dedication of tanks and the observance of similar religious rites.  Unvanquished and possessed of great might, it is He that always ordains the end approachable by the Soul