Ascetic Valmiki enquired of Narada, preeminent among the sages ever engaged in the practice of religious austerities or study of the Vedas and best among the eloquent. [1-1-1]
चारित्रेण च को युक्तस्सर्वभूतेषु को हित: । विद्वान्क: कस्समर्थश्च कश्चैकप्रियदर्शन: ।। १-१-३
Who is that one gifted with good conduct, given to the wellbeing of all living creatures, learned in the lore (knowledge of all things that is known), capable of doing things which others can not do and singularly handsome? [1-1-3]
Who (among men) is selfrestrained? Who has conquered anger? Who is endowed with brilliance and free from envy? Who is that when excited to wrath even the devatas, are afraid of (let alone foes)? [1-1-4]