Varāha Mahā Purana
66 - Näradiya Pañcharãtra
Bhadräshva said:
1. I am eager to know whatever wonder you have seen or heard. Please tell me.
Agastya said:
2. Lord Janärdana is himself of the nature of wonder. The wonders I have seen about him are many and varied.
3. O king, when sage Narada once went to Šhvetadvïpa he saw there many effulgent men bearing the conch, disc and lotus.
4. Seeing them he began to ponder over as to who was Lord Vishnu among them.
5. He was unable to know who was the Lord Krishna (Vishnu) with conch, disc and mace, to whom he could offer worship.
6. Baffled thus, he began to meditate on lord Krishna, the great Narayana.
7. By this meditation for a thousand divine years, the lord became pleased with him.
8. He appeared before him and asked him what boon He could give him.
Narada said:
9. I have meditated on you for a thousand years. If you are pleased with me, tell me how I may attain you.
The great lord said:
10. O sage, those who perform sacrifice with Purushasükta and those who learn the Vedic Texts attain me.
11. In the absence of Vedas and Šhästras, those who do sacrifice in the manner ordained in the Päñcharätra attain me.
12. The Päñcharätra is for Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Våišhyas. For Šhüdras and others, what is laid down is going to the temple and utterance of my names but not my worship.
13-14. O sage, I declared this in the most ancient times for the multitude. Anyone who follows it and becomes my devotee, will retain this in his mind when the fruits of his actions disappear.
15. Others who are engulfed by the feelings caused by Rajas and Tamas, become indifferent towards me.
16. In Kruta, Tretä and Dväpara Yugas, those with the sattva element (predominating) reach me, but in Kali people have a preponderance of Rajas and Tamas.
17-18. Listen to me Närada, now, I give you another boon. This rare Pañcharätra doctrine of mine will fully dawn upon you by my blessing. You need have no doubt in this matter.
19. I can be attained through the Vedas, Päñcharätra, Bhakti and Yajña, but not by anything else even if resorted to for crores of years.
20. Telling this to Närada, the great lord disappeared, and Närada too went to heaven.
Summary of chapter 66 of the Varāha Mahā Purana is as follows:
The text presents the sublime Sārasvata Hymn, a divine eulogy addressed to Goddess Sarasvatī, the personification of speech, Vedic wisdom, musical harmony, and spiritual illumination. Maharshi Pulastya explains how reciting this sacred stotra bestows flawless memory, profound eloquence, mastery over sacred scriptures, and freedom from spiritual ignorance. The hymn extols Goddess Sarasvatī as the white-robed mother who resides upon the tongue of Pitāmaha Brahmā and illuminates the intellects of all ṛshis, seekers, and devotees across the universe.