Prayers by the Personified Vedas 243

will tell you a story which took place long, long ago. There was a great
meeting of the denizens of the heavenly planets, and almost all the
important brahmacaris, such as the four Kumaras—Sanat, Sanandana,
Sanaka and Sanatana Kumara—attended. Their discussion was on the
subject matter of understanding the Absolute Truth, Brahman. You were
not present at that meeting because you went to see My expansion Ani-
ruddha, who lives on the island of Svetadvipa. In this meeting, all the
great sages and brahmacaris very elaborately discussed the point about
which you have asked me, and it was very interesting. The discussion was
so delicate that even the Vedas were unable to answer the intricate ques-
tions raised.

Narayana Rsi told Naradaji that the same question which Naradaji had
raised had been discussed in that meeting in Janaloka. This is the way of
understanding through the parampara, or disciplic succession. Maharaja
Pariksit was sent to Sukadeva Gosvami; Sukadeva Gosvami referred the
matter to Narada, who had in the same way questioned Narayana Rsi, who
had put the matter to still higher authorities in the planet of Janaloka,
where it was discussed among the great Kumaras—Sanat, Sanatana, Sanaka
Kumara and Sanandana. These four brahmacdris are recognized scholars
in the Vedas and sastras. Their unlimited volumes of knowledge, backed
by austerities and penances, are exhibited by their sublime, ideal character.
They are very amiable and gentle in behavior, and for them there is no
distinction between friends, well-wishers and enemies. Being transcenden-
tally situated, such personalities as the Kumaras are above all material
considerations and are always neutral in respect to material dualities. In
the discussions held among the four brothers, one of them, namely
Sanandana, was selected to speak, and the other brothers became the
audience to hear him.

Sanandana said, ‘‘After the dissolution of the whole cosmic manifesta-
tion, the entire energy and the whole creation in its nucleus form enters
into the body of Garbhodakagayi Visnu. The Lord at that time remains
asleep for a long, long time, and where there is again necessity of creation,
the Vedas personified assemble around the Lord and begin to glorify Him,
describing His wonderful transcendental pastimes. It is exactly like a king:
when he is asleep in the morning, the appointed reciters come around his
bedroom and begin to sing of his chivalrous activities, and while hearing
of his glorious activities, the king gradually awakens.

“The Vedic reciters or the personified Vedas sing thus: ‘O unconquer-
able, You are the Supreme Personality. No one is equal to You or greater
than You. No one can be more glorious in His activities. All glories unto
