The assembled sages, eager for knowledge and uplifted by devotion, spoke to Sūta Gosvāmī: “Please narrate to us that supremely auspicious and wondrous story, centered on yoga, whose meaning is open and clear, filled with the endless deeds of the Lord. This story delighted King Parikshit and the devotees—let us hear it from you.” Sūta, deeply moved, replied with humility: “Today, though born in a humble lineage, I am truly blessed, for I follow the path of the elders. The company of the wise and the greatest souls, and hearing their words, swiftly removes the impurity of low birth and the distress of the mind. “What, then, can be said of one who praises the Supreme Lord, the ultimate refuge of the greatest souls? The Lord, infinite and boundless in power and qualities, is rightly called ‘limitless.’ Even a hint of His glory is enough to reveal His unequalled and unsurpassed nature. The dust from His feet is sought by those who have renounced everything, though He Himself desires no worship. “Consider: the water offered by Brahmā for the Lord’s worship, which emerged from the nails of His feet, purifies the entire world. Who, wishing for the Lord’s feet, would not be purified by Mukunda Himself? “In such a place, the devoted and wise suddenly abandon their attachment to the body and all worldly connections. They proceed to the highest state of the swan-like sages, where nonviolence, tranquility, and true duty prevail. “You have questioned me, O noble ones, and I shall explain as far as I have understood. Just as birds soar in the sky according to their own strength, so too do the wise attain the path of Viṣṇu according to their realization. “Now hear the story: Once, while hunting in the forest with his bow raised, King Parikshit pursued a deer. He became exhausted, overcome by great hunger and thirst. Searching for water, he entered a hermitage and saw a sage seated in deep tranquility, his eyes closed. “The sage, with senses, breath, mind, and intellect completely restrained, had attained a state beyond the three realms, merged in Brahman and unchanging. Covered in matted hair and deerskin, the king, his throat parched, begged the sage for water. “But he received neither grass, earth, nor the customary offerings of water and kind words. Feeling disregarded, anger arose within him. Never before had hunger and thirst afflicted him so, and envy and anger grew toward the Brahmin. “In a moment of anger, he placed a lifeless snake upon the sage’s shoulder and left the hermitage, returning to his city. On the way, he wondered: ‘Is this one, with senses withdrawn and eyes closed, truly absorbed in meditation, or is it a pretense? What is the truth of such behavior among the warrior class?’ “Meanwhile, the sage’s son, a boy of extraordinary brilliance, was playing with other children. Hearing that his father had been wronged by the king, he spoke out in indignation: ‘Alas, what injustice by the rulers, who devour the offerings! The offense committed by a servant against the master is like that of gatekeepers—or even dogs—against their lord. “‘Though a kṣatriya by birth, he has been appointed by the brāhmaṇas as the guardian of the house. How, then, should such a doorkeeper be entitled to partake of the household’s provisions? “‘Now that Kṛṣṇa, the Lord and guide for those who stray from the path, has departed, I will punish those who have broken the bridge of righteousness. Behold my power!’ “Thus, with eyes reddened by anger, the young sage purified himself at the Kauśikī river and released a thunderbolt of words: ‘Having transgressed the boundary, Takṣaka, urged by me, will bite this destroyer of the dynasty on the seventh day.’ “The boy then returned to the hermitage. Seeing his father with a dead serpent around his neck, he was overcome with sorrow and cried out loudly. The sage, of the Āṅgirasa lineage, heard his son’s lament, slowly opened his eyes, and saw the serpent on his shoulder. He cast it off and gently asked, ‘Child, why are you crying? Who has wronged you?’ The boy explained everything. “When the sage heard that the king had been cursed undeservedly, he did not rejoice. Instead, he lamented: ‘Alas, what a great calamity you have caused today! Though the offense is small, the punishment is severe. “‘You should not judge the king, O child of immature mind. By his invincible power, the people enjoy prosperity and safety. When the king, Naradeva, wielder of the chariot wheel, is disregarded, the world is overrun by thieves and perishes in an instant, like sheep without a shepherd. “‘Now, sin comes upon us without pause, as people plunder the wealth of those who have lost their protector. They kill, curse, rob, and seize cattle, women, and property. Then, noble dharma dissolves among men, and the practices of varṇa and āśrama, rooted in the three Vedas, vanish. Afterward, those absorbed in wealth and pleasure, like dogs and monkeys, cause the mixing of castes. “‘The king, guardian of dharma, is the great emperor Bṛhacchrava, a royal sage, a true devotee who performed horse sacrifices. A sin has been committed against the innocent king by a child of immature understanding. May the Lord, the soul of all, forgive this offense. “‘Even when insulted, deceived, cursed, abused, or killed, the devotees of the Lord do not retaliate, even if they are able. Thus, due to his son’s offense, the great sage was filled with remorse. Though wronged by the king, he did not dwell upon the offense. “‘Generally, the virtuous in this world are placed in situations of duality by others, but they neither grieve nor rejoice, for their reliance is upon the qualities of the self.’ “Now, let me recount the codes of conduct: One should not lie down without washing the feet, nor with wet feet or a wet head. One should not eat food offered by others, nor lie naked, nor at dawn or dusk. Always pure, dressed in clean garments, and endowed with auspiciousness, one should worship cows, Brahmins, fortune, and the infallible Lord before breakfast. “Women and those possessing valor should worship with garlands, fragrances, offerings, and ornaments. Having worshipped her husband, a woman should attend to him and meditate upon him as residing within her womb. “If you uphold the unbroken vow of puṃsavana for a year, then a son who will defeat Indra shall be born to you. Diti, resolute, agreed, saying ‘So be it.’ She received the seed from Kaśyapa and faithfully undertook the vow. “Indra, knowing his maternal aunt’s intention, O best of the honored, served Diti, who dwelled in the hermitage, with attentive service.” Thus, Sūta narrated the sacred and wondrous tale, filled with the endless deeds of the Lord, as requested by the sages.