SB 2.9.42

Lord Brahma, being the creator of all living beings in the universe, is originally the father of several well-known sons, like Daksa, the Sanakas, and Narada. In three departments of human knowledge, namely fruitive work (karma-kanda), transcendental knowledge (jnana-kanda), and devotional service (upasana-kanda), disseminated by the Vedas, Devarsi Narada inherited from his father Brahma devotional service, whereas the Daksas inherited from their father fruitive work, and Sanaka, Sanatana, etc., inherited from their father information about jnana-kanda, or transcendental knowledge. But out of them all, Narada is described here as the most beloved son of Brahma because of good behavior, obedience, meekness and readiness to render service unto the father. And Narada is famous as the greatest of all sages because of his being the greatest of all devotees. Narada is the spiritual master of many famous devotees of the Lord. He is spiritual master of Prahlada, Dhruva and Vyasa, down to the forest animal hunter Kirata. His only business is to turn everyone to the transcendental loving service of the Lord, Therefore all these features of Narada make him the dearmost son of his father, and all this is due to Narada's being a first-class devotee of the Lord. The devotees are always anxious to know more and more about the Supreme Lord, the master of all energies. As is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita: