the conversation, we asked that foremost of regenerate
persons to expound to us the meanings of the Vedas and the Verses in the
Mahabharata and narrate to us the incidents as well of his own birth from
Narayana. Conversant as he was with all topics of enquiry, he at first
discoursed to us on the interpretations of the Srutis and the
Mahabharata, and then set himself to narrate to us the following
incidents relating to his birth from Narayana.

"'Vyasa said, "Listen, ye disciples, to this foremost of narratives, to
this best of histories that relates again to the birth of a Rishi.
Appertaining to the Krita age, this narrative has become known to me
through my penances, ye regenerate ones. On the occasion of the seventh
creation, viz., that which was due to the primeval Lotus, Narayana,
endued with the austerest penances, transcending both good and ill, and
possessed of unrivalled splendour, at first created Brahma, from his
navel. After Brahma had started into birth, Narayana addressed him,
saying: 'Thou hast sprung from my navel. Endued with puissance in respect
of creation, do thou set thyself to create diverse kinds of creatures,
rational and irrational.' Thus addressed by the author of his being,
Brahma with his mind penetrated by anxiety, felt the difficulty of his
task and became unwilling to do what he was commenced to do. Bowing his
head unto the boon-giving and illustrious Hari, the Lord of the universe,
Brahma said these words unto him,--'I bow to thee, O Lord of the deities,
but I ask what puissance have I to create diverse creatures? I have no
wisdom. Do thou ordain what should be ordained in view of this.' Thus
addressed by Brahma, the Lord of the universe, viz., Narayana,
disappeared there and then from Brahma's sight. The Supreme Lord, the god
of gods, the chief of those endowed with intelligence, then began to
think. The Goddess of Intelligence forthwith made her appearance before
the puissant Narayana. Himself transcending all Yoga, Narayana then, by
dint of Yoga, applied the Goddess of Intelligence properly. The
illustrious and puissant and immutable Hari, addressing the Goddess of
Intelligence who was endued with activity and goodness and all the
puissance of Yoga, said unto her these words:--'For the accomplishment of
the task of creating all the worlds do thou enter into Brahma.' Commanded
thus by the Supreme Lord, Intelligence forthwith entered Brahma. When
Hari beheld that Brahma had become united w