Endowed with supreme asceticism and enveloped in the radiance of Brahmanical austerity, the great sage Narada was renowned everywhere for his mastery of law and governance. He had attained the highest dharma, surpassing all others. His mind was purified, free from passion, peaceful, gentle, upright, and he bore the banner of perfect self-control. All the gods, asuras, and humans recognized him as one realized in dharma, especially when the actions and sins of beings had diminished. In every way, Narada observed proper conduct, both in his daily life and in his mastery of the Vedas. He had performed hundreds of pure sacrifices, drinking soma and tending the sacred fire, always engaging in meritorious acts. He was deeply learned in the Rig, Sama, and Yajur Vedas, wise in justice and dharma, upright, of noble descent, advanced in age, a great traveler, and utterly sinless. Narada’s appearance reflected his inner brilliance. His topknot was smooth, his form radiant, and he wore pure, fine, divine garments, beautifully fashioned. Draped around him was a magnificent upper garment, a gift from Mahendra himself, and a new, divine girdle of gold with a shining clasp. On his ears hung beautiful earrings, divine and radiant like fire and the sun. He held aloft a splendid silver parasol of supreme luster. Having attained the highest Brahmanical splendor—so difficult for others to obtain—Narada entered the king’s palace with the dignity of Brihaspati himself. He was accomplished in all the scriptures, thoroughly versed in both the established and applied dharma of all beings, and in the proper order of righteousness. Gādhi, as he was also known, understood the supreme and melodious use of the Sāman hymns. Ever skilled in action and knowledgeable in duties, he excelled all seekers of liberation. He was versed in the many forms of Yajurvedic rites, foremost among the wise, one who understood the meanings of texts, impartial, and a resolver of doubts in the scriptures. Constantly engaged in explaining meanings, Narada himself was free from doubt and dispelled the doubts of others. By nature, he was skilled in righteousness, generous, and thoroughly learned in dharma. Narada could distinguish words with many meanings, as well as those with distinct meanings, through his understanding of omission, scriptural exceptions, and transitions in usage. He recognized usages expressing different meanings, even those not carefully examined, and was regarded as an authority in all matters of judgment. He was always honored by those skilled in the variations of sound and accent, and in the various meters and forms of speech. In every recitation, in all positions, and among the roots of words, Narada alone declared the intended meanings, indicating everything that was to be expressed. He knew the truth in intentions, recalled words and their components, and examined what was prescribed by the order of time, exactly as it was. He understood what was concealed in speech, the agreements expressed, and words that touched the heart. For himself and for others, Narada was skilled in the application of accent and sound. He knew these tones, understood them, and was a sovereign in their teaching. He grasped both the unity and diversity of spoken statements, understood the highest truths and the various distinctions. He spoke of many things as both non-different and different, considering the instructions of many regions. Narada examined the five scriptural traditions and various instructions, skilled in many meanings and thoroughly so in derivative forms. He adorned speech in letter, accent, and meaning, always explaining the sense of suffixes with reference to their roots. He knew the five classes of letters and the names of the accents. When the sage arrived, Yudhishthira rose to greet and salute him. Yudhishthira offered him a beautiful seat, and the great sage sat upon it, covered with black antelope skin. As the devarṣi sat, Yudhishthira, wise as he was, offered the proper hospitality and presented the kingdom to him as was fitting. Pleased at heart, the sage accepted that honor, blessing Yudhishthira with good wishes and inviting him to sit. Yudhishthira then sent for Krishna, who was present there. Draupadi, having heard this, purified herself and composed her mind. She went to the place where Narada was staying with the Pandavas, and, following the path of righteousness, she bowed at the feet of the divine sage. With joined palms, well-clad, the daughter of Drupada stood there respectfully. To her, Narada—the righteous, truthful, and foremost of sages—spoke various blessings, and then said, “You may go.” Thus released, Draupadi departed. After Krishna had left, the divine sage addressed all the Pandavas, with Yudhishthira at their head, in a secluded place. "Panchali is the sole, illustrious wife among you," he said. "Let a rule be established so that there may be no discord among you. Long ago, the brothers Sunda and Upasunda, united, were renowned throughout the three worlds as invincible by others. They shared one kingdom, one house, one bed, seat, and meal; yet, because of Tilottama, they struck each other down. Therefore, let friendship, which fosters mutual affection, be preserved. Do what is necessary, Yudhishthira, so that there may be no division among you." Yudhishthira, eager for wisdom, asked, "O great sage, whose sons were Sunda and Upasunda, those asuras? How did discord arise, and how did they come to kill each other? And who is Tilottama, the apsara, daughter of the gods, for whose sake, maddened by desire, those two slew each other? O possessor of austerities, we wish to hear in detail how all this happened, for my curiosity is great, O Brahman." Thus, the Pandavas, full of reverence and curiosity, sat before the sage, ready to hear the ancient tale.