Mah?bh?rata is an ocean. One incident is sufficient to know that K???a is N?r?ya?a or Vi??u.
Yudhisthira reflected on the sage?s reply. Then he asked, ?O learned sage, in this world our lives are dedicated to the Brahmins. If it pleases you, kindly tell us about a Brahmin?s greatness and glory.?
In response the RSI recounted numerous ancient histories. His audience was rapt in wonder. He also described the creation of the universe, which he had personally witnessed, and the nature of the destruction that occurs at the end of Brahma?s day, a period of millions of years. He described how he had floated on the causal water out of which creation occurs, as it rose and covered the lower and middle planets. At the end of that inundation, he had seen a wonderful child lying on a banyan leaf.
?I was struck with amazement. I could not understand how a child could have survived when the entire universe was destroyed. The boy was effulgent and His face was as beautiful as the moon. His eyes resembled full-blown lotuses and His body was a blackish color. He lay there smiling and sucking His toe. Then on His chest I saw the mark of privates and thought that it must be Visnu, although I could not be sure.
As I approached Him He said, ?My child, I know you are eager to rest. O Markandeya, enter My body and rest awhile. I am pleased with you.?
?When the boy addressed me I lost all sense of my identity and forgot my material designations. He opened His mouth and I felt myself drawn into it. Suddenly entering His stomach I beheld the whole earth with all its cities and kingdoms. I wandered about for some time, seeing all the familiar sights, including the Ganges and her tributaries, the Himalayas, and the forests in which I had performed asceticism. I also saw the race of celestials headed by Indra, as well as the races of ksatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras.
?Although I wandered about within that boy?s body for a long time I never did find its limit. Confused, I began to worship the Supreme Lord with my thoughts and words. Suddenly, I found myself emerging again and once more I saw Him lying on the banyan leaf. I worshipped that immeasurably powerful being who had swallowed up the entire universe, and I placed my head at His feet. I asked Him who He was and about His purpose. Why was He lying there with the universe held in His body?
?The child spoke in such a way that my material illusions were completely dispelled. He told me that He was the original Supreme Person from whom everything emanates and into whom it enters at its end. I was amazed to hear Him speak of His own glories. He is known as Visnu, Narayana and Hari, but He possesses innumerable other names. That all-knowing personality then told me that I should remain within His body until Brahma again awoke and recreated the universe. He disappeared from my sight and I found myself back within the varied creation I had seen within Him.?
Finishing his narration, Markandeya looked across at Krishna. ?King Yudhisthira, that lotus-eyed boy whom I saw at the end of the creation has now appeared as Krishna. He has become your relative and friend. Without doubt you should know Him to be the ancient Supreme Person, the inconceivable Hari, and the original Personality of Godhead. He granted me the boon that my memory would never fail and that my death would come only when I wanted it. Seeing Krishna sitting here wearing a yellow silken garment, I am remembering that boy. Do not doubt that it was He whom I saw in the waters of devastation. O hero among men, this entire creation rests within Him even as air rests within ether. Take refuge in Krishna, for there are none superior to Him.?
Hearing the rsi?s words, the Pandavas bowed down before Krishna. Krishna smiled gently and spoke comforting words to them. He glanced affectionately at Markandeya, who gazed back at Krishna with love.
in the AnshanSanrva of the mahabharatha we have the Vishnu sahasranaamam
"The unfading Vasudeva is said to be the lord of righteousness. The Rishis, the Pitris, the deities, the great (primal) elements, the metals, indeed, the entire mobile and immobile universe, has sprung from Narayana. Yoga, the Sankhya Philosophy, knowledge, all mechanical arts, the Vedas, the diverse scriptures, and all learning, have sprung from Janardana. Vishnu is the one great element or substance which has spread itself out into multifarious forms. "- Bhishma
again in anushasan parva this is said "He is the sun, the dispeller of all darkness. He is the Creator of all. Do thou, O hero, approach that Krishna! "
again in the same parva this is said "Whatever is noble and meritorious in the universe, indeed, whatever of good and of evil exists, all that is Kesava who is inconceivable. Hence, it is absurd to think of anything that is superior to Kesava. Kesava is even such. More than this, He is Narayana, the highest of the high, immutable and unfading. He is the eternal and immutable cause of the entire mobile and immobile universe with its beginning, middle, and end, as also of all creatures whose birth follows their wish."
Hindus, Can you cite few references/verses from Mahabharata where Krishna is addresse
