O sage among the gods, you are urged to perform a noble and virtuous deed. When such an action is undertaken, the virtuous and wise will proclaim it, and its fruits will be wondrous: sleep and old age will vanish from those afflicted, and devotion will spread throughout the world. As these words resounded, a clear voice echoed from the sky, heard by all present. Nārada, astonished, confessed, “This was not known to me.” He wondered aloud, “Even though a celestial voice has spoken, the matter remains veiled in mystery. What is the means, what is the action required, by which this purpose may be fulfilled? Where will the virtuous be found, and how will they bestow the means? What, truly, must I do, as the heavenly voice has directed?” Sūta then recounted: After settling those two in their place, the sage Nārada departed, journeying from one holy place to another, seeking wisdom from the great sages he met along the way. The tale of his quest spread far and wide, but after much deliberation, none could provide an answer. Some declared it impossible, others found it too difficult to comprehend; some fell silent, and a few even fled in dismay. A great commotion arose across the three worlds, filling all with wonder. Everywhere, the Vedas, Vedānta, and the Gītā were proclaimed and recited, yet the triad of devotion, knowledge, and detachment did not manifest. People whispered from ear to ear, “There is no other way.” Even Nārada, the great yogi, could not unravel the mystery, so how could others among mortals hope to do so? Thus, when the assembled sages were questioned, they concluded and declared that the means was inaccessible. Troubled and heavy-hearted, Nārada journeyed to the Badarī forest, resolved to undertake austerity there to seek an answer. It was then that Nārada beheld before him the radiant sages Sanaka and his brothers, shining like millions of suns. He approached them with reverence, and with folded hands, he spoke: “By great fortune I have met you, O Kumāras. Please, out of compassion, speak swiftly to me. You are yogis, wise and learned, endowed with fivefold restraint, and ancestors even to the most ancient. You always dwell in Vaikuntha, devoted to singing the glories of Hari, intoxicated by the nectar of his pastimes, living solely for the sake of his stories. For those whose mouths constantly utter the name of Hari as their sole refuge, old age decreed by time does not trouble them. By merely a frown from you, the two gatekeepers of Hari once instantly fell at your feet; by your compassion, they returned to the city. By the fortune of yoga, I have gained your sight here; you, full of compassion, ought to show grace to me, who am destitute. The voice from the sky spoke of a means—what is it? Please explain in detail how it is to be practiced. How does happiness arise for those endowed with devotion, knowledge, and detachment? How can it be established among all people, with love and effort?” The Kumāras replied gently: “Do not be anxious, O divine sage; let your heart be filled with joy. The means you seek is easily accomplished and already exists here. O Nārada, you are blessed, the crest-jewel among the detached, always foremost among the servants of Śrī Krishna, the sun among yogis. It is not surprising that in you, who always follow the path of devotion, the establishment of devotion is ever accomplished for Krishna’s servant. Many sages have revealed various paths in the world—most are difficult, achieved only by effort, and generally yield the fruit of heaven. But the path that leads to Vaikuntha is indeed kept secret, and its teacher is rarely found, attained mostly by good fortune. Now, listen carefully, for we shall explain the noble act prescribed to you by the voice from the sky. Some perform sacrifices with offerings, some with austerity, others with yoga, and some with study and knowledge; all these are known as actions. Among them, the sacrifice of knowledge is regarded by the wise as the highest noble action—the discourse on the Śrīmad Bhāgavata, sung by Śuka and others. By its proclamation, great strength arises for devotion, knowledge, and detachment; the suffering of those afflicted will depart, and happiness will come to the devotee. At the sound of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata’s path, all the faults of Kali Yuga will perish, just as wolves flee at the roar of a lion. Devotion, joined with knowledge and detachment and flavored with love, will spread from house to house, from person to person. Nārada then asked, “When, despite the proclamations of the Vedas and Vedānta, and the recitation of the Gītā, the triad of devotion, knowledge, and detachment does not arise—how does the recitation of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata bring understanding? Its narrations contain the meaning of the Vedas in every verse, in every word. O you whose vision is unfailing, please dispel my doubt without delay, for you are compassionate to those who seek refuge.” The Kumāras answered: “From the very essence of the Vedas and Upaniṣads, the Bhāgavata narrative has arisen; it shines as supremely excellent, distinct and unique, bearing its own special fruit. Just as the taste present from root to tip in a fruit is not enjoyed until it is separated out, so too, when fully distinct, the fruit is universally delightful. Just as ghee exists within milk but is not tasted until extracted—and when separated, increases the pleasure of the gods—so it is with the Bhāgavata. Even among sugarcanes, sugar pervades from the middle to the end, but only when separated is its sweetness enjoyed. In the same way, the Bhāgavata narrative, this Purāṇa esteemed by the wise, was revealed to establish devotion, knowledge, and detachment.” Thus, the secret means, the supreme path, and the unique glory of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata were revealed to Nārada by the compassionate Kumāras.