Nārada spoke to Brahmā, describing the nature of worldly existence as perishable and fleeting, like a dream—insignificant, untrue, and ultimately the cause of death. He likened its pleasures to the flesh on a hook, which delights the fish even as it leads to its capture and demise. Having uttered these words, Nārada fell silent before the Creator. Brahmā, overcome by anger at his son’s words, cursed him, O twice-born. He declared, “You will become a playful deer, eager for women, greedy, and lustful; charming to those blessed with steady youth and abundant beauty. You will possess knowledge of the science of love and be exceedingly attached to passion. Among the Gandharvas, you will have a beautiful, melodious voice, skilled in singing. Wise, sweet-spoken, calm, virtuous, handsome, and of good intellect, you will enjoy a divine hundred thousand years in a secluded forest with them.” Yet Brahmā added, “O child, by associating with Vaiṣṇavas and partaking of food left by Vaiṣṇavas, I will again grant you that ancient divine knowledge.” After speaking thus, Brahmā, lord of the world, became silent before his son. Nārada responded, “Alas! The anger of the ascetic creator has not fallen upon me. A wise man should abandon or curse a son who goes astray. May my birth be among those devoted to Brahman, in whatever wombs they may be. If a son of the sustainer of the worlds has no devotion to Hari’s feet, let him be born with remembrance of past lives and devotion to Hari, even in the wombs of swine. I desire the honey-like devotion to the lotus feet of Govinda. O grandsire, even the holy places wish for the touch of Vaiṣṇavas. By the mere instruction of a mantra, men are liberated in Bhārata. By merely receiving the mantra, sins accumulated over millions of births are destroyed. Sons, wives, disciples, servants, and also relatives—a guru who, having gained the trust of disciples, shows them the wrong path—what kind of teacher is he, what kind of father, what kind of master, what kind of son?” “O Four-faced One, I have been cursed by you without fault. With armor, hymns, and worship, Manu along with his mind—may you, O father, be unworthy of worship among all beings for three kalpas. Now, O virtuous one, your share in sacrifices and in vows is lost.” Having spoken thus, Nārada became silent before his father. By the influence of Upabarhana the Gandharva, Nārada underwent this transformation. Then, once again, Nārada became a great sage. Sauti continued: All the sages, O best of Brahmins, performed creation, except for Nārada. From Marīci’s mind was born Kaśyapa, the lord of creatures. From Pracetas’ mind was born Gautama. From Manu and Śatarūpā three daughters were born, and two sons delightful to the mind: Priyavrata and Uttānapāda. Manu gave Ākūti to Ruci and Prasūti to Dakṣa. From Prasūti, by the seed of Dakṣa, sixty daughters were born. One, Satī, was given to Śiva; thirteen were given to Kaśyapa.