Yudhishthira said You have, O grandfather, described to us the duties belonging to the Religion of Liberation. You should now tell us what the foremost duties are of persons belonging to the several modes of life.

Bhishma said “The duties ordained with regard to every mode of life are capable, if well performed, of leading to heaven and the high fruit of Truth. Duties have many doors, and none of the practices enjoined by them fails to produce the desired effect.

Whoever adopts a class of duties with steady and firm faith, praises the duties adopted by him to the exclusion of the rest, О chief of Bharata's race.

This particular subject, however, which you wish me to describe was in days of yore the subject of conversation between the celestial Rishi Narada and the king of the gods, viz., Indra.

The great Rishi Narada, O king, adored of all the world, has been crowned with success. He wanders through all the worlds unimpeded, like the all-pervading wind itself.

Once upon a time he went to the abode of Indra. Duly honoured by the king of the gods, he sat close to his host.

Seeing him seated at his ease and free from exhaustion, the husband of Shachi addressed him, saying,-O great Rishi, is there any thing wonderful that has been seen by you, O sinless one?

O twice-born Rishi, crowned with ascetic success, you walk about moved by curiosity, through the universe of mobile and immobile objects, seeing all things.

O celestial Rishi, there is nothing in the universe which you do not know. Do you tell me, therefore, of any wonderful event which you may have seen, or heard of, or felt.

Thus questioned, Narada, that foremost of speakers, O king, then began to recite to the king of the gods the extensive history that follows.

Listen now to me as I recount that story which Narada told before Indra. I shall describe it in the same way in which the celestial Rishi had described it, and for the same purpose that he had in view.”