“Bhishma said, O thou that art well acquainted with the art of questioning, this question that thou hast asked me, O sinless one, is one that touches a deep mystery.  One cannot answer it with the aid of the science of argumentation, even if one were to strive for a hundred years.  Without the grace of Narayana, O king, or an accession of high knowledge, this question of thine is incapable of being answered.  Connected though this topic be with a deep mystery, I shall yet, O slayer of foes, expound it to thee![1790] In this connection is cited the old history of the discourse between Narada and the Rishi Narayana.  I heard it from my sire that in the Krita age, O monarch, during the epoch of the Self-born Manu, the eternal Narayana, the Soul of the universe, took birth as the son of Dharma in a quadruple form, viz., as Nara, Narayana, Hari, and the Self-create Krishna.[1791] Amongst them all, Narayana and Nara underwent the severest austerities by repairing to the Himalayan retreat known by the name of Vadari, by riding on their golden ears.  Each of those cars was furnished with eight wheels, and made up of the five primal elements, and looked exceedingly beautiful.[1792] Those original regents of the world who had taken birth as the sons of Dharma, became exceedingly emaciated in person in consequence of the austerities they had undergone.  Indeed, for those austerities and for their energy, the very deities were unable to look at them.  Only that deity with whom they were propitiated could behold them.  Without doubt, with his heart devoted to them, and impelled by a longing desire to be-hold them, Narada dropped down on Gandhamadana from a summit of the high mountains of Meru and wandered over all the world.  Possessed of great speed, he at last repaired to that spot whereon was situated the retreat of Vadari.  Impelled by curiosity he entered that retreat at the hour of Nara’s and Narayana’s, performing their daily rites.  He said unto himself.—­This is truly the retreat of that Being in whom are established all the worlds including the deities, the Asuras, the Gandharvas, the Kinnaras, and the great snakes!  There was only one form of this great Being before.  That form took birth in four shapes for the expansion of the race of Dharma which have been reared by that deity.  How wonderful it is that Dharma has thus been honoured by these four great deities viz., Nara, Narayana, and Hari and Krishna!  In this spot Krishna and Hari dwelt formerly.  The other two, however, viz., Nara and Narayana, are now dwelling here engaged in penances for the object of enhancing their merit.  These two are the highest refuge of the universe.  What can be the nature of the daily rites these two perform?  They are the sires of all creatures, and the illustrious deities of all beings.  Endued with high intelligence, what is that deity whom these two worship?  Who are those Pitris whom these two Pitris of all beings adore?—­Thinking of this in his mind, and