Vaisampayana said –
While the illustrious Pandavas were seated in that Sabha along with the principal Gandharvas, there came, O Bharata, unto that assembly the celestial Rishi Narada, conversant with the Vedas and Upanishadas, worshipped by the celestials acquainted with histories and Puranas, well-versed in all that occurred in ancient kalpas (cycles), conversant with Nyaya (logic) and the truth of moral science, possessing a complete knowledge of the six Angas (viz., pronunciation, grammar, prosody, explanation of basic terms, description of religious rites, and astronomy).
He was a perfect master in reconciling contradictory texts and differentiating in applying general principles to particular cases, as also in interpreting contraries by reference to differences in situation, eloquent, resolute, intelligent, possessed of powerful memory. He was acquainted with the science of morals and politics, learned, proficient in distinguishing inferior things from superior ones, skilled in drawing inference from evidence, competent to judge of the correctness or incorrectness of syllogistic statements consisting of five propositions.
He was capable of answering successively Vrihaspati himself while arguing, with definite conclusions properly framed about religion, wealth, pleasure and salvation, of great soul and beholding this whole universe, above, below, and around, as if it were present before his eyes. He was master of both the Sankhya and Yoga systems of philosophy, ever desirous of humbling the celestials and Asuras by fomenting quarrels among them, conversant with the sciences of war and treaty, proficient in drawing conclusions by judging of things not within direct ken, as also in the six sciences of treaty, war, military campaigns, maintenance of posts against the enemy and stratagems by ambuscades and reserves.
He was a thorough master of every branch of learning, fond of war and music, incapable of being repulsed by any science or any course, of action, and possessed of these and numberless other accomplishments. The Rishi, having wandered over the different worlds, came into that Sabha. And the celestial Rishi of immeasurable splendour, endued with great energy was accompanied, O monarch, by Parijata and the intelligent Raivata and Saumya and Sumukha. Possessing the speed of the mind, the Rishi came thither and was filled with gladness upon beholding the Pandavas.
The Brahmana, on arriving there, paid homage unto Yudhishthira by uttering blessings on him and wishing him victory. Beholding the learned Rishi arrive, the eldest of the Pandavas, conversant with all rules of duty, quickly stood up with his younger brothers. Bending low with humility, the monarch cheerfully saluted the Rishi, and gave with due ceremonies a befitting seat unto him. The king also gave him kine and the usual offerings of the Arghya including honey and the other ingredients. Conversant with every duty the monarch also worshipped the Rishi with gems and jewels with a whole heart. Receiving that worship from Yudhishthira in proper form, the Rishi became gratified.
From: The Mahabharata-BOOK 2- SABHA PARVA
Original Sanskrit Text
वैशम्पायन उवाच।
अथ तत्रोपविष्टेषु पाण्डवेषु महात्मसु।
महत्सु चोपविष्टेषु गन्धर्वेषु च भारत।।
वेदोपनिषदां वेत्ता ऋषिः सुरगणार्चितः।
इतिहासपुराणज्ञः क्रियाकल्पविशेषवित्।।
`स्तुतस्तोमग्रहस्तोभपदक्रमविभागवित्।
शिक्षाक्षरविभागज्ञः पुराकल्पविशेषवित्
आदिकल्पार्थवेत्ता च कल्पसूत्रार्थतत्त्ववित्।
ब्रह्मचर्यव्रतपर ऊहापोहविशारदः।।
नृत्तगान्धर्वसेवी च सर्वत्राप्रतिमस्तथा।
अष्टादशानां विद्यानां कोशभूतो महाद्युतिः’।।
न्यायविद्धर्मतत्त्वज्ञः षडङ्गविदनुत्तमः।
ऐक्यसंयोगनानात्वसमवायविशारदः।।
वक्ता प्रगल्भो मेधावी स्मृतिमान्नयवित्कविः।
परापरविभागज्ञः प्रमाणकृतनिश्चयः।।
पञ्चावयवयुक्तस्य वाक्यस्य गुणदोषवित्।
उत्तरोत्तरवक्ता च वदतोपि बृहस्पतेः।।
धर्मकामार्थमोक्षेषु यथावत्कृतनिश्चयः।
तथा भुवनकोशस्य सर्वस्यास्य महामतिः।।
प्रत्यक्षदर्शी लोकस्य तिर्यगूर्ध्वमधस्तथा।
साङ्ख्ययोगविभागज्ञो निर्विवित्सुः सुरासुरान्।।
सन्धिविग्रहतत्त्वज्ञस्त्वनुमानविभागवित्।
षाङ्गुण्यविधियुक्तश्च सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः।।
युद्धगान्धर्वसेवी च सर्वत्राप्रतिघस्तथा।
एतैश्चान्यैश्च बहुभिर्युक्तो गुणगणैर्मुनिः।।
लोकाननुचरन्सर्वानागमत्तां सभां नृप।
नारदः सुमहातेजा ऋषिभिः सहितस्तदा।।
पारिजातेन राजेन्द्र पर्वतेन च धीमता।
सुमुखेन च सौम्येन देवर्षिरमितद्युतिः।।
सभास्थान्पाण्डवान्द्रष्टुं प्रीयमाणो मनोजवः।
जयाशीर्भिस्तु तं विप्रो धर्मराजानमार्चयत्।।
तमागतमृषिं दृष्ट्वा नारदं सर्वधर्मवित्।
सहसा पाण्डवश्रेष्ठः प्रत्युत्थायानुजैः सह।।
अभ्यवादयत प्रीत्या विनयावनतस्तदा।
तदर्हमासनं तस्मै सम्प्रदाय यथाविधि।।
गां चैव मधुपर्कं च सम्प्रदायार्घ्यमेव च।
अर्चयामास रत्नैश्च सर्वकामैश्च धर्मवित्।।
तुतोष च यथावच्च पूजां प्राप्य युधिष्ठिरात्।
Source: सभापर्वणि पञ्चमोऽध्यायः।। 5।।
