sūta uvāca atha taṁ sukham āsīna upāsīnaṁ bṛhac-chravāḥ devarṣiḥ prāha viprarṣiṁ vīṇā-pāṇiḥ smayann iva
Synonyms
sūtaḥ—of the name Uvacha—said; uvāca—Therefore; atha—him; tam—comfortably seated; sukham āsīnaḥ—unto one sitting nearly; upāsīnam—greatly respected; bṛhat-śravāḥ—The great Rishi amongst the Gods; devarṣiḥ—said; prāha—unto the Rishi amongst the Brahmin; viprarṣim—one who carries veena by his hand; vīṇā-pāṇiḥ—apparently smiling.
Translation
Suta Goswami said, "Thus the sage amongst the gods (Narada) who was comfortably seated addressed the Rishi amongst the Brahmin (unto Vedavyasa) apparently smilings."
Purport
Narada was smiling because he knew well the great sage Vedavyasa and the cause of his disappointment. As he will explain gradually the cause of Vyasdevas's disappointment was due to insufficiency in catering the science of devotional service. Narada knew the defect and it was confirmed by the then position of Vyasa.