The great sage Maitreya said: The four great Kumāra sages headed by Sanaka, as well as Nārada, Ṛbhu, Haṁsa, Aruṇi and Yati, all sons of Brahmā, did not live at home, but became ūrdhva-retā, or naiṣṭhika-brahmacārīs, unadulterated celibates.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana
श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराणम्
मूल श्लोकः
मैत्रेय उवाच । सनकाद्या नारदश्च ऋभुर्हंसोऽरुणिर्यतिः । नैते गृहान् ब्रह्मसुता ह्यावसन्नूर्ध्वरेतसः
maitreya uvāca | sanakādyā nāradaśca ṛbhurhaṃso'ruṇiryatiḥ | naite gṛhān brahmasutā hyāvasannūrdhvaretasaḥ
SB 4.8.1