There is truly nothing in this world as effective for purifying the mind as the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam; it is only by the accumulated merit of many previous births that one becomes fortunate enough to obtain this divine scripture. Once, when King Parīkṣit was seated amidst a great assembly, eager to hear the sacred narrative, and the sage Śuka was present to speak, the gods themselves gathered there, bearing a pot filled with celestial nectar. With reverence, the skillful gods bowed before Śuka and implored him, “O sage, grant us the nectar of these divine stories, for we have brought this nectar to offer in exchange.” Yet, when the exchange was set to take place, it was King Parīkṣit who was to partake of the gods’ nectar, while all the assembled gods would instead drink the nectar of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Śuka, known as Brahmarāta, considered their request and, reflecting on the nature of true nectar, the stories of the Lord, and the worth of mere physical nectar, laughed gently at the gods. Recognizing that the gods lacked true devotion, Śuka did not grant them the nectar of these stories. Indeed, the tales of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam are so rare and precious that even the gods find them difficult to obtain. When the gods witnessed King Parīkṣit’s liberation upon hearing the Bhāgavatam, even Brahmā, the creator, was astonished. In the highest realm, Satyaloka, the unborn Lord weighed the means of liberation as if on a scale. Compared to all other scriptures and works, which are but minor in their effect, the Bhāgavatam stands alone in its gravity and greatness. Thus, all the sages present were filled with the highest wonder. They came to regard the Bhāgavata itself as the very form of the Lord, for in this dark age of Kali, simply by hearing or reading it, one attains the supreme fruit of Vaikuṇṭha. This scripture, when heard in seven days, bestows liberation in every way. Long ago, the compassionate sages Sanaka and his brothers revealed this to Nārada. Though Nārada, the divine sage, had heard the Bhāgavatam due to his connection with Brahman, it was the Kumāras who explained the method of hearing it over seven days. At this point, Śaunaka, the wise sage, inquired, “How could Nārada, who is ever free from worldly ties and constantly wandering, feel affection or form a connection with those present at a ritual sacrifice?” In response, Sūta said, “I shall recount to you this sacred narrative, filled with devotion, which Śuka himself revealed to me in secret, after accepting me as his disciple. Once, in the holy city of Viśālā, four pure-hearted sages gathered together for the sake of holy association. There, they encountered Nārada.” The Kumāras addressed Nārada, “O Brāhmaṇa, why is your face so downcast? Why is your mind troubled? Where are you hurrying to, and from where have you come? You seem empty-hearted, as though you have lost your wealth, like an ordinary man. This does not befit one who is free from attachment. Tell us, what is the cause of your distress?” Nārada replied, “I have wandered the earth, believing her to be the highest, visiting holy places such as Puṣkara, Prayāga, Kāśī, and the Godāvarī. I have traveled to Harikṣetra, Kurukṣetra, Śrīraṅga, Setubandha, and many other sacred sites. Yet nowhere did I find happiness that truly satisfies the mind. The earth is now afflicted by the age of Kali, the friend of unrighteousness. “Truth, austerity, purity, compassion, and charity have all but vanished. People now live only to fill their bellies and speak deceitfully. They are dull, of poor understanding, unfortunate, and afflicted. The good are few and absorbed in hypocrisy; even those who have renounced the world maintain households. Young women rule the home, 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 true yogī, no accomplished sage, no wise man, nor anyone 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. “Seeing these faults of the age of Kali, I wandered the earth and eventually came to the banks of the Yamunā, where the Lord had once performed His divine pastimes. There, I witnessed a marvelous sight—listen, O great sages: I saw a young woman, her mind weary and distressed. Beside her lay two elderly men, collapsed, barely breathing and unconscious. She tried to serve and rouse them, weeping before them. “She looked in all ten directions for a protector, while her own form was fanned by hundreds of women, who repeatedly attempted to awaken her. Seeing this from a distance, I approached, curious. The young woman, seeing me, stood up, agitated, and addressed me: “‘O holy one, please stay a moment and dispel my anxiety; your very presence destroys the sins of the world. By your words, relief from suffering can come. When great fortune arises, your presence is obtained.’ “I asked her, ‘Who are you? Who are these two, and who are these lotus-eyed women around you? O goddess, tell me in detail the cause of your distress.’ “The young woman replied, ‘I am known as Bhakti. These two are my sons, Jñāna and Vairāgya, now aged and worn by the influence of time. These women, headed by Gaṅgā, have come here remembering me, to serve me. Even though the gods have served me, I have gained no true welfare. Listen attentively, O sage rich in austerity, to my story; though it is well known, hearing it will bring you happiness. ‘I was born in Drāviḍa, grew up in Karṇāṭaka, and in some places in Mahārāṣṭra and Gurjara I became aged. There, due to the terrible influence of Kali, I was attacked by heretics and became weak; for a long time, I remained feeble along with my sons. Having reached Vṛndāvana again, I became youthful and beautiful, a young woman in her prime. But here, my two sons lie exhausted from fatigue; and now, leaving this place, I am about to go to another land.