In the home of a devout brāhmaṇa, a virtuous woman gave birth to an extraordinary son. All the women present gathered around to witness the auspicious arrival of the boy, marveling at his beauty, which surpassed even that of Kāmadeva, the god of love. His face shone with a radiance greater than the moon, his hands and feet were charming, his cheeks lovely, and his entire form was captivating to behold. The infant’s two hands moved restlessly as he cried out, seeking the comfort of his mother’s breast. The brāhmaṇa welcomed both mother and child with loving care, tending to them as if they were his own. This boy was no ordinary child: he remembered his past births, was endowed with deep knowledge, and constantly recalled ancient mantras. In that household, the glories, names, and virtues of Krishna were always sung. Wherever a verse connected to Krishna was heard, the boy would be so moved that his whole body became covered in dust, and he would yearn to offer even that dust as a sign of devotion. The affection between mother and son was such that, if she called him for breakfast, he would be eager to respond. At this point, Shaunaka, a wise sage, inquired about the meaning behind the boy’s name. Sauti, the storyteller, explained that at the time of his birth, the mother had not given him water, and thus he was called Narada. This boy, Narada, would later give both water and knowledge to others, sharing generously with his peers. By the power of the sage Narada alone, this remarkable child had come into being. Shaunaka pressed further, asking how the great sage came to be known as Narada. Sauti replied that Narada had once given a son to Kashyapa, and thus earned the name. When Shaunaka wondered how the son of Brahma, born in a shudra womb, could be called Narada, Sauti explained that the boy had given water to his own throat, which was why he was remembered as Narada. Indeed, a boy was born from Narada’s throat, and Sauti invited his listeners to hear attentively the account of the child’s early life. The Gopika boy, as he was known, grew day by day in the brāhmaṇa’s house. One day, a group of brāhmaṇas arrived at the home, coming discreetly, as if they had brought relief from the harsh midday sun. At the proper time, four eminent sages presented the boy with fruits and roots, and the fourth sage joyfully bestowed upon him the Krishna-mantra. One night, as the child’s mother walked along a path, her virtuous life bore its fruit: she was taken up at once to Vaikuntha, Vishnu’s celestial realm, in a divine chariot. When morning came, the boy, accompanied by the brāhmaṇas, left the brāhmaṇa’s house. The sons of Brahma, having fulfilled their purpose, departed and returned to their own abode. There, after bathing, the boy recited the Vishnu mantra he had received from the brāhmaṇa. In the midst of a great and fearsome forest, at the foot of an ashvattha tree, he continued his devotions. At this point, Shaunaka asked Sauti about the supreme wealth, the highest gift, that Shri Hari bestows. Sauti replied that Brahma had once given, with great devotion, a mantra of twenty-two syllables—so rare that even the Vedas scarcely reveal it—to the wise Kumara. The mantra was: “Om, Shri, obeisance to the Lord of the rasa circle.” Along with this, Brahma gave a great hymn to the Supreme Person and a potent protective charm. This charm took the form of a circle of light, shining with the brilliance of ten million suns. The Vaishnavas, the devotees of Vishnu, meditate upon this radiant form in their innermost hearts: a vision of the Lord with the hue of a fresh raincloud, and eyes as lovely as autumn lotuses.