Narada gets to know about the Creator whom Nara And Narayana Worship
After Yudhisthira was crowned as King of Hastinapur, Lord Krishna freed amazing Bhishma from all of his sufferings before his death and asked him to alleviate Yudhisthira from mourning over the lifeless Kshatriyas by the way of advising him on Dharma. Yudhisthira asked, Which god should a Grihastha, Brahmachari, vanaprastha and Sannyasi worship if they want to achieve success? How can man attain eternal heaven? By what means can he attain ultimate welfare? By what method should he perform oblations for the gods and ancestors? What state does a free man attain? What is the nature of salvation? What should a man who has gone to heaven do, so that he does not fall from heaven? Who is the God of the gods and the father of the ancestors?
Bhishma replied, Although this subject is very difficult to understand, still it has to be explained to you. My father Shantanu had told me that Lord Narayana is the soul, four-dimensional and eternal deity of the entire universe. He had once appeared as the son of Dharma. In the Satyayuga of Swayambhu Manvantara, there were four incarnations of Lord Vasudeva, Nara, Narayana, Hari and Krishna.
Among them, Narayana and Nara Badarikaashram were seated on a golden chariot and performed severe penance. That beautiful chariot of his was equipped with eight wheels and many creatures were attached to it. Both of them became very weak while doing penance. The veins of their bodies became visible. Due to penance, their brightness had increased so much that even the deities found it difficult to look at them. Only the one on whom they were kind could have the darshan of those two Gods. Certainly, as per the wish of both of them, with the inspiration of Antaryami in his heart, Narada descended on the Gandhamadana mountain.
When it was time for the daily rituals of Lord Nara and Narayana there, at that very time Naradji had a great desire to see them. He started thinking that this is the place of the same Lord, within whom the entire world including gods, demons, Gandharvas, eunuchs and great serpents reside. First They existed in only one form; then to expand the lineage of religion, they appeared in four idols. At this time, these four Gods Nara, Narayana, Krishna and Hari have greatly blessed the religion.
"These two are the Supreme Beings. What is this daily routine of theirs? These two illustrious gods are the fathers and deities of all living beings. Which god do these two extremely intelligent brothers worship and which ancestors do they worship?", Thinking this in his mind, Naradaji was inspired by devotion towards Lord Narayana and suddenly appeared near those gods. When Lord Nara and Narayana finished worshipping the gods and ancestors, they saw Naradaji and worshipped him in the manner prescribed in the scriptures. Devarishi Narada looked towards Lord Narayana with a happy heart and asked him, You are the mother, father and eternal Guru of the entire world, yet which god and which ancestor do you worship today?
Lord said, "Brahmin! The question which you have asked is a confidential matter for yourself. A devout man like you should know this. That which is subtle, unknowable, unmanifested, immovable and permanent, which is beyond the senses, objects and all existences, is the inner soul of all living beings; Therefore, he is called by the name of Kshetragya, he is called Trigunatita and Purusha. From Him, the Trigunamaya Avyakta has originated. It has been called the indestructible Avyakta Prakriti, situated in the manifest sense. That Supreme Being in the form of God is the cause of the origin of both of us, know this. We both worship him and consider him as our god and ancestor. There is no other god or ancestor greater than him. We should know that He is our soul; Therefore we worship him only.
He has established the dignity of religion which takes people on the path of progress. Brahma, Rudra, Manu, Daksha, Bhrigu, Dharma, Tapa, Yama, Marichi, Angira, Atri, Pulastya, Pulah, Kratu, Vashishtha, Parmeshthi, Surya, Moon, Kardam, Krodha and Vikrita - these twenty-one Prajapatis were said to be born from the same Supreme Soul. And we follow and worship the eternal religion and dignity of the same God. The best Dwija achieve their desired things by knowing exactly the works related to the gods and ancestors that are performed for that purpose. Among the creatures living in heaven, those who pay obeisance to that Supreme Soul, by His grace, attain the best path which gives results as per His orders.
One who is free from all actions, five senses of knowledge, five senses of action, five vital organs, seventeen qualities in the form of mind and intellect, those who are situated after renouncing fifteen arts, only they are free, The principle of the scriptures is that the movement of free men is determined by God. Has been done. He is said to be blessed with all the good qualities. He is realized through Gyana Yoga. Knowing that both of us have emerged from Him, we both worship that eternal God. The four Vedas, the four Ashrams and the people who take shelter in various types of Matokas worship Him with devotion and He quickly grants them all the best results.
For those who always remember Him and take refuge in Him with utmost devotion, the biggest benefit they get is that they enter into His form. Narada! You have devotion and love for God. Your devotion towards us also remains intact. That is why we have described this confidential matter before you and you have got an auspicious opportunity to hear it."
Naradaji said, "For the purpose for which you have incarnated in four forms in the house of religion, fulfil that purpose for the welfare of the people. Now I am going to see your Adivigraha located in Shweta dvip. I always respect the Gurus. Never share anyone's secret with others. I have not revealed it before. I have studied the Vedas myself, performed penance and never told any lie. As per the command of the scriptures, I have protected my hands, legs, abdomen and upper body.
I always have equal feelings towards enemy and friend. I constantly take refuge in the Supreme Lord Shri Narayan and worship Him with utmost devotion. Due to all these special reasons my conscience has become pure. In such a condition, how can I not have the darshan of the eternal God?" Lord Narayana ordered him to go. Narada with excellent yoga flew towards the sky and suddenly reached Mount Meru and disappeared.
Narada Muni looked towards the north-west from there and saw the wonderful sight described earlier. The huge island famous by the name of Shweta in the northern part of Kshirsagara appeared in front of him. Scholars have described that island as thirty-two thousand yojanas higher than Mount Meru. The residents there are devoid of senses, foodless, effortless and full of knowledge. they smell so good. There In that island men are of white complexion and are free from all kinds of sins. Their body and bones are as strong as a thunderbolt. They consider respect and insult equal. Their organs are divine. They are endowed with the strength generated by the influence of Yoga. The shape of their head is like an umbrella and their voice is as deep as the thunder of clouds. They have four equal sides. His feet are decorated with hundreds of lotus-like lines. Their mouths have sixty white teeth and eight molars. With their tongues, they also lick Mahakaal, which is as bright as the sun and holds the entire universe in its mouth. From whom the entire world has come into existence, all the worlds have appeared, the Vedas, the Dharma, the peaceful sages and all the Gods who are their confirmation, the residents of the white island hold in their hearts with devotion that God with infinite power.
Ref: Mahabharata Book Shanti Parva