ing penances there, standing on one foot, with arms
upraised, and with face directed towards the East, reciting the Vedas
with their branches, he is engaged in practising the severest
austerities. Whatever libations of clarified butter or meat are poured on
the sacrificial fire according to the ordinances of Brahma, by the
Rishis, by Pasupati himself, by the rest of the principal deities, by the
Daityas, the Danavas, and the Rakshasas, all reach the feet of that great
divinity. Whatever rites and religious acts are performed by persons
whose souls are entirely devoted to him, are all received by that great
Deity on his head. No one is dearer to him in the three worlds than those
persons that are awakened and possessed of high souls. Dearer even than
those persons is one that is entirely devoted to him. Dismissed by him
who is the Supreme Soul, I am coming here. This is what the illustrious
and holy Hari has himself said unto me. I shall henceforth reside with
you two, devoted to Narayana in the form of Aniruddha."'"

SECTION CCCXLV

"'Nara and Narayana said, "Deserving art thou of the highest praise, and
highly favoured hast thou been, since thou hast beheld the puissant
Narayana himself (in the form of Aniruddha). None else, not even Brahma
himself who was sprung from the primal lotus, has been able to behold
him. That foremost of Purushas, endued with puissance and holiness, is of
unmanifest origin and incapable of being seen. These words that we say
unto thee are very true, O Narada. There exists no one in the universe
that is dearer to him than one that adores him with devotion. It is for
this, O best of regenerate ones, that he showed himself unto thee. No one
can repair to that realm where the Supreme Soul is engaged in the
observance of penances, except we two, O foremost of regenerate persons.
In consequence of that spot being adorned by Him, its splendour resembles
the effulgence of a thousands Suns collected together.[1888] From that
illustrious Being, O Brahmana, from Him who is the origin of the Creator
of the universe, O foremost of all persons endued with forgiveness,
springs the attribute of forgiveness which attaches to the Earth.[1889]
It is from that illustrious Being who seek the welfare of all beings,
that Rasa (Taste) hath arisen. The attribute of Rasa attaches to the
waters which are, again, liquid. It is from Him that Heat or Light having
the attribute of form or vision has arisen. It attaches