Chapter 230

“Yudhishthira said, ‘What man is there who is dear to all, who gladdensall persons, and who is endued with every merit and every accomplishment?’

“Bhishma said, ‘In this connection I shall recite to thee the words thatKesava, asked by Ugrasena, said unto him on a former occasion.’

“Ugrasena said, ‘All persons seem to be very solicitous of speaking ofthe merits of Narada. I think that celestial Rishi, must really bepossessed of every kind of merit. I ask thee, tell me this, O Kesava!’

“Vasudeva said, ‘O chief of the Kukkuras, listen to me as I mention inbrief those good qualities of Narada with which I am acquainted, O king!Narada is as learned in the scriptures as he is good and pious in hisconduct. And yet, on account of his conduct, he never cherishes pridethat makes one’s blood so hot. It is for this reason that he isworshipped everywhere. Discontent, wrath, levity, and fear, these do notexist in Narada. He is free from procrastination, and possessed ofcourage. For this he is worshipped everywhere. Narada deserves therespectful worship of all. He never falls back from his words throughdesire or cupidity. For this he is worshipped everywhere. He is fullyconversant with the principles that lead to the knowledge of the soul,disposed to peace, possessed of great energy, and a master of his senses.He is free from guile, and truthful in speech. For this he is worshippedwith respect everywhere. He is distinguished by energy, by fame, byintelligence, by knowledge, by humility, by birth, by penances, and byyears. For these he is everywhere worshipped with respect. He is of goodbehaviour. He dresses and houses himself well. He eats pure food. Heloves all. He is pure in body and mind. He is sweet-speeched. He is freefrom envy and malice. For this he is everywhere worshipped with respect.He is certainly always employed in doing good to all people. No sindwells in him. He never rejoices at other people’s misfortunes. For thishe is everywhere worshipped with respect. He always seeks to conquer allearthly desires by listening to Vedic recitations and attending to thePuranas. He is a great renouncer and he never disregards any one.[869]For this he is everywhere worshipped with respect. He casts an equal eyeon all; and, therefore, he has no one whom he loves and none whom hehates. He always speaks what is agreeable to the hearer. For this he iseverywhere worshipped with respect. He is possessed of great learning inthe scriptures. His conversation is varied and delightful. His knowledgeand wisdom are great. He is free from cupidity. He is free also fromdeception. He is large-hearted. He has, conquered wrath and cupidity. Forthis he is everywhere worshipped with respect. He has never quarrelledwith any one for any subject connected with profit or pleasure. Allfaults have been torn away by him. For this he is everywhere worshippedwith respect. His devotion (to Brahma) is firm. His soul is blameless. Heis well-versed in the Srutis. He is free from cruelty. He is beyond theinfluence of delusion or faults. For this he is worshipped everywherewith respect. He is unattached to all such things as are objects ofattachment (for others). For all that he seems to be attached to allthings.[870] He is never long subject to the influence of any doubt. Forthis he is everywhere worshipped with respect. He has no yearning forobjects connected with profit and pleasure. He never glorifies his ownself. He is free from malice. He is mild in speech. For this he iseverywhere worshipped with respect. He observes the hearts, differentfrom one another, of all men, without blaming any of them. He iswell-versed in all matters connected with the origin of things. He neverdisregards or shows hatred for any kind of science. He lives according tohis own standard of morality. He never suffers his time to pass awayfruitlessly. His soul is under his control For this he is everywhereworshipped with respect. He has toiled in subjects that deserve theapplication of toil. He has earned knowledge and wisdom. He is neversatiated with yoga. He is always attentive and ready for exertion. He isever heedful. For this he is everywhere worshipped with respect. He hasnever to feel shame for any deficiency of his. He is very attentive. Heis always engaged by others in accomplishing what is for their good. Henever divulges the secrets of others. For this he is everywhereworshipped with respect. He never yields to transports of joy onoccasions of making even valuable acquisitions. He is never pained atlosses. His understanding is firm and stable. His soul is unattached toall things. For this he is everywhere worshipped with respect. Who,indeed, is there that will not love him who is thus possessed of everymerit and accomplishment, who is clever in all things, who is pure inbody and mind, who is entirely auspicious, who is well-versed with thecourse of time and its opportuneness for particular acts, and who iswell-acquainted with all agreeable things?'”