Chapter 348
Janamejaya said, ‘I have heard from thee the glory of the divine andSupreme Soul. I have heard also of the birth of the Supreme Deity in thehouse of Dharma, in the form of Nara and Narayana.
Chapter 349
Janamejaya said, “The illustrious Hari becomes gracious unto them thatare devoted to him with their whole souls. He accepts also all worshipthat is offered to Him agreeably to the ordinance.
Chapter 350
Janamejaya said, “The Sankhya system, the Pancharatra scriptures, and theAranyaka-Vedas,–these different systems of knowledge or religion,–Oregenerate Rishi, are current in the world.
Chapter 351
Janamejaya said, “O regenerate one, are there many Purushas or is thereonly one? Who, in the universe, is the foremost of Purushas? What, again,is said to be the source of all things?”
Chapter 352
‘Brahma said,–‘Listen, O son, as to how that Purusha is indicated. He iseternal and immutable. He is undeteriorating and immeasurable. Hepervades all things.
Chapter 353
“Sauti said, ‘After Vaisampayana had explained to king Janamejaya in thisway the glory of Narayana, he began to discourse on another topic byreciting the question of Yudhishthira and the answer that Bhishma gave inthe presence of all the. Pandavas and the Rishis as also of Krishnahimself. Indeed, Vaisampayana began by saying what follows.[1924]
Chapter 354
“Bhishma said, ‘In an excellent town called by the name of Mahapadmawhich was situate on the southern side of the river Ganga, there lived,
Chapter 355
“The guest continued, ‘For all that, O Brahmana, I shall endeavour toinstruct thee duly. Listen to me as I recite to thee that which I haveheard from my preceptor.
Chapter 356
“The host replied, ‘I have heard these words of thine, that are soconsoling, with as much gratification as is felt by a person heavilyloaded when that load is taken off his head or shoulders.
Chapter 357
“Bhishma said, ‘Proceeding by many delightful forests and lakes andsacred waters, the Brahmana at last arrived at the retreat of a certainascetic.