They said to Narada, “O exalted one, you should not speak thus. The sages of old have said that way should be given to one who is superior or abler. We that stand blocking each other's way are equal to each other in every respect. If properly judged, there is no superiority or inferiority between us." Having been thus addressed, Narada recited the following words.
तावूचतुर्नारदं नैतद् भगवन् पूर्वकर्मकादिभि-विशिष्टस्य पन्था उपदिश्यते समर्थाय वा आवां च सख्यं परस्परेणोपगतौ तच्चावधानतोऽत्युत्कृष्टमधरोत्तरंपरिभ्रष्टं नारदस्त्वेवमुक्तः श्लोकत्रयमपठयत्॥