Even Vyāsa, the sage who had bathed deeply in the Vedas and Vedānta, and who composed the Gītā itself, once found himself overwhelmed by sorrow and confusion, as if lost in a vast ocean of ignorance. In that time of distress, it was you—Nārada—who spoke to him the essence of wisdom in just four verses. Merely by hearing those words, Bādarāyaṇa (Vyāsa) was immediately freed from his suffering. So, what cause is there for your wonder, that you ask about the power of this scripture? The Śrīmad Bhāgavata must be heard, for it alone has the potency to destroy grief and sorrow. Nārada then spoke: "I have taken refuge in that divine vision—one that instantly dispels all inauspiciousness and bestows supreme good upon those tormented by the pains of worldly existence. It is a vision absorbed solely in the nectar of sacred stories sung by the pure, for the purpose of awakening love." He continued, "When, after many lifetimes of accumulated merit, a person attains the company of the virtuous, then true discrimination arises. This wisdom drives away the darkness of delusion and pride born of ignorance." Now begins the third chapter, which proclaims the greatness of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata. By hearing this scripture from the lips of Sanaka and his brothers, the devotee is fulfilled, and both knowledge and detachment are nourished within. Nārada then declared, "I will perform a sacrifice of knowledge, resplendent with the teachings of Śuka, dedicated to establishing devotion, wisdom, and detachment. But where should I perform this sacred act? Please tell me of a place suited for this, for the greatness of Śuka’s scripture is best spoken by those who have mastered the Vedas. In how many days should the narration be completed? What procedure should be followed? Please instruct me." The Kumāras replied, "Listen, Nārada, humble and wise as you are. Near the bank of the Gaṅgā, there is a place called Ānanda. It is frequented by groups of sages, attended by gods and siddhas. The land is adorned with a variety of trees and creepers, and its soft, fresh sand is most inviting. This beautiful, secluded spot is fragrant with golden lotuses, and in the hearts of those dwelling nearby, no enmity is found. "When you bring your aged, weakened body to this place and consider both its frailty and the presence of the holy, devotion will surely manifest there. Wherever the discourse of the Bhāgavata is present, there devotion and her companions—knowledge and detachment—arrive. Hearing the sacred narration, these three become youthful and strong." Sūta then continued the tale: "Thus resolved, the Kumāras, together with Nārada, swiftly journeyed to the bank of the Gaṅgā to drink in the nectar of the Bhāgavata. When they arrived, a great tumult arose—not only among mortals, but also in the worlds of the gods and of Brahmā. All beings, eager to taste the nectar of the Bhāgavata, rushed there, with the Vaiṣṇavas arriving first. "Great sages such as Bhṛgu, Vasiṣṭha, Cyavana, Gautama, Medhātithi, Devala, Devarāta, Rāma, the son of Gādhi, Śākala, Mṛkaṇḍu’s son, Atri, and Pippalāda arrived. Masters of yoga like Vyāsa and Parāśara, Chāyāśuka, Jājali, Jahnu, and many more, together with their sons, disciples, and wives, came, their hearts overflowing with affection. "Not only the sages, but the very personifications of the Vedāntas, the Vedas, mantras, tantras, the ten and seven Purāṇas, and the six scriptures also arrived. The rivers beginning with the Gaṅgā, lakes like Puṣkara, holy places, all directions, and forests such as Daṇḍaka came as well. Even mountains, gods, Gandharvas, and Dānavas arrived, though the heavier among them were guided and brought by Bhṛgu himself. "Having been initiated by Nārada and offered the excellent seat, the Kumāras, honored by all, sat absorbed in contemplation of Krishna. The Vaiṣṇavas, the detached, the renunciants, and the celibates stood at the forefront, with Nārada before them. In one area gathered the sages; in another, the celestial beings; elsewhere, the Vedas and Upaniṣads, the holy places, and the women. "Shouts of victory, cries of reverence, and the sound of conch shells filled the air. Roasted grains and flowers were scattered in celebration. From their aerial chariots, many leaders of the gods showered flowers from wish-fulfilling trees upon the assembly. "Thus, among those whose minds were undistracted, the greatness of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata was spoken clearly to the great-souled Nārada. "The Kumāras then proclaimed: 'Now we will describe the glory born from Śuka’s scripture. By hearing it alone, liberation is as if resting in one’s palm. The narration of the glorious Bhāgavata is always to be served—always! By merely hearing it, Lord Hari takes up residence in one’s heart. "'This scripture consists of eighteen thousand verses, arranged in twelve books. It is the dialogue between Parīkṣit and Śuka—listen well to this Bhāgavata. O dear one, as long as even for a moment the teachings of Śuka’s scripture have not entered a person’s ears, he wanders in ignorance throughout worldly existence. "'What is the use of hearing many other scriptures and Purāṇas that only cause confusion? The single scripture, the Bhāgavata, thunders forth as the giver of liberation. That house in which the narration of the Bhāgavata occurs daily becomes a true place of pilgrimage, destroying the sins of its inhabitants. "'A thousand Aśvamedha sacrifices and a hundred Vājapeya sacrifices do not equal even a sixteenth part of the merit gained from the narration of Śuka’s scripture. O ascetics, sins remain in this body as long as the Bhāgavata is not properly heard. "'Neither the Gaṅgā, nor Gayā, nor Kāśī, nor Puṣkara, nor Prayāga can equal the fruit of the narration of Śuka’s scripture. Recite daily, with your own mouth, even half a verse or a quarter of a verse from the Bhāgavata, if you desire the highest goal. "'The Vedas, the mother of the Vedas, the Puruṣa Sūkta, the threefold Veda, the Bhāgavata, and the twelve-syllable mantra; the twelvefold self, Prayāga, the year as a form of time, the Brāhmaṇas, the Agnihotra, the cow of plenty, and the twelfth day—all these are supremely auspicious.'" Thus, in the assembly of sages, gods, and all sacred beings, the glory of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata was celebrated, its narration sanctifying the place and all who gathered, bestowing the highest good upon them.