Let me tell you the beginning of the Bhāgavata Purāṇa as it unfolds, honoring the sacred sages and their timeless wisdom. First, reverence is offered to that extraordinary sage whose heart dwells within all living beings, whom Dvaipāyana called out to in distress as he departed for renunciation, and whom even the trees addressed as their son, having become one with him in spirit. At the sacred forest of Naimiṣa, the assembly of sages gathered and respectfully greeted Sūta, the wise storyteller whose mind was vast and whose expertise lay in savoring the nectar of divine stories. Among them, the venerable Śaunaka spoke, his words radiant, addressing Sūta, whose brilliance was likened to millions of suns and whose teachings dispelled the darkness of ignorance. Śaunaka implored him: “Please tell us the essence of these stories, the elixir for our ears.” He continued, “When devotion, knowledge, and detachment arise, discernment grows. How do the Vaiṣṇavas, O Sūta, dispel the delusion of Māyā?” Concerned for the welfare of all in the dreadful age of Kali, where most living beings have become demonic and suffering abounds, Śaunaka asked, “What is the ultimate means of purification for those afflicted?” “Tell us,” he said, “the supreme good, the best among all auspicious things, the purest of the pure, and the eternal practice that leads to attaining Kṛṣṇa. For while the philosopher’s stone grants worldly happiness and the celestial tree bestows heavenly riches, a pleased guru gives Vaikuṇṭha, the rarest of gifts, even for yogis.” Sūta replied with warmth, “Because affection has arisen in your heart, O Śaunaka, I will speak after careful consideration. I shall share with you the conclusion of all teachings, which destroys the fear of worldly existence. That which increases the flood of devotion and brings satisfaction to Kṛṣṇa, I will tell you—listen attentively.” He explained, “To remove the terror of being devoured by the serpent of time, the scripture Śrīmad Bhāgavata was spoken by Kīra in the Kali age. There is nothing else so effective for purifying the mind; only those with merit from previous births obtain the Bhāgavata.” Sūta then described a wondrous event: “When King Parīkṣit sat in assembly to hear the story, and Śuka was present, the gods gathered, bringing a pot of nectar. Bowing to Śuka, they requested, ‘Give us the nectar of stories, for we have brought this nectar.’ When the exchange was made, the king was to drink the nectar, and the gods would drink the nectar of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. But where is nectar, where are stories in this world, where is glass, where is the great jewel? Brahmarāta, after considering thus, laughed at the gods.” Recognizing those who lacked devotion, Śuka did not give them the nectar of stories, for the tales of the Bhāgavata are difficult to obtain even for the gods. Witnessing the king’s liberation, even the creator was astonished; in Satyaloka, the unborn bound a scale and weighed the means of liberation. Other works are minor compared to this one, which is great in its gravity. Therefore, all the sages were filled with the highest wonder. They regarded the Bhāgavata scripture as the very form of the Lord, for in the age of Kali, simply by reading or hearing it, one immediately attains the fruit of Vaikuṇṭha. This scripture was heard within seven days and, in every way, bestows liberation. Long ago, the compassionate Sanaka and his brothers spoke it to Nārada. Though Nārada heard it from the divine sage due to his connection with Brahman, the method of hearing it in seven days was explained by the Kumāras. At this point, Śaunaka asked, “How could Nārada, who is free from worldly ties and ever-moving, feel affection or form a connection with those present at the ritual?” Sūta responded, “I shall recount to you the narrative, imbued with devotion, which Śuka spoke to me in secret, considering me his disciple. Once, in the city of Viśālā, four pure sages gathered for the sake of holy association, and there they saw Nārada.” The Kumāras addressed him, “O Brāhmaṇa, why is your face downcast and your mind troubled? Where are you hastening to, and from where have you come? You seem empty-hearted, as if you have lost your wealth, like an ordinary man. This does not befit one who is free from attachment—tell us the reason.” Nārada replied, “I have traveled the earth, thinking it to be the highest, visiting Puṣkara, Prayāga, Kāśī, and also the Godāvarī. I wandered among holy places such as Harikṣetra, Kurukṣetra, Śrīraṅga, Setubandha, and others, moving here and there. Nowhere did I find happiness that brings satisfaction to the mind; at present, the earth is afflicted by Kali, the friend of unrighteousness.” He described the decline: “Truth, austerity, purity, compassion, and charity no longer exist. The unfortunate beings live only to fill their bellies and speak deceitfully. People are dull, of poor understanding, unfortunate, and afflicted. The good are few, absorbed in hypocrisy, and even the renunciants maintain households. Young women rule the household, brothers-in-law give counsel, daughters are sold out of greed, and discord arises between husband and wife. The āśramas are obstructed by foreigners, as are the holy rivers; many temples of the gods have been destroyed by the wicked. There is no yogī, nor any accomplished one, nor a wise man, nor a person of good conduct; in the wildfire of Kali, all spiritual practices have been reduced to ashes. Villages are plagued by bandits, the twice-born are struck by the trident of Śiva, and women, their hair disheveled, become lustful in this age of Kali.” Nārada continued, “Thus, seeing the faults of the age of Kali, I wandered the earth; I came to the bank of the Yamunā, where the Lord’s pastimes had taken place. There I saw a wonder—listen to it, O great sages: there sat a young woman, her mind weary and distressed. Beside her lay two old men, collapsed, breathing faintly and unconscious; she served them, tried to rouse them, and wept before them. She looked in all ten directions for her protector, her own form being fanned by hundreds of women, who repeatedly tried to awaken her. Seeing this from a distance, I approached out of curiosity; seeing me, the young woman rose, agitated, and spoke these words.” Thus begins the sacred tale, as Sūta prepares to reveal the mystery and compassion woven into the Bhāgavata, the nectar for all seeking souls.