Hear now, dear one, of the glories of the Bhāgavata, a scripture of eighteen thousand verses arranged in twelve books. It is a sacred dialogue between King Parīkṣit and the sage Śuka. Listen well to this Bhāgavata, for as long as even a moment passes in this world without its teachings entering one’s ears, a person continues to wander in ignorance. What is the use, then, of hearing countless other scriptures and Purāṇas, which only bring confusion? The Bhāgavata alone resounds as the giver of liberation. Any house where the Bhāgavata is recited daily becomes a true place of pilgrimage, purifying all who dwell within and destroying their sins. The merit gained from a thousand Aśvamedha sacrifices or a hundred Vājapeya sacrifices does not equal even a sixteenth part of the merit from narrating Śuka’s scripture. O ascetics, sins linger in the body as long as the Bhāgavata is not properly heard. Not even the sacred Gaṅgā, nor Gayā, nor Kāśī, nor Puṣkara, nor Prayāga can match the fruit of narrating this scripture. If you desire the highest goal, recite daily with your own lips even half a verse or a quarter of a verse from the Bhāgavata. The Vedas, their mother, the Puruṣa Sūkta, the threefold Veda, the Bhāgavata itself, and the twelve-syllable mantra; the twelvefold self, Prayāga, the year as time, the Brāhmaṇas, the Agnihotra, the wish-fulfilling cow, the twelfth day, Tulasī, the spring season, and the Supreme Person—wise people see no essential difference among these. Whoever recites the Bhāgavata with understanding, day and night, destroys the sins of millions of births—this is certain. Even reciting half a verse or a quarter of a verse daily brings merit equal to the great Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices. The daily recitation of the Bhāgavata, constant contemplation of Hari, nurturing Tulasī, and service to cows—these are all equal in merit. At the time of death, whoever hears the words of Śuka’s scripture with devotion is granted entrance to Vaikuṇṭha by Govinda himself. Whoever gifts the Bhāgavata, adorned with a golden lion throne, to a Vaiṣṇava surely attains union with Kṛṣṇa. But if someone, from birth, with a deceitful mind, never tastes the narration of Śuka’s scripture, that person lives like a caṇḍāla or a donkey; alas, his birth is wasted, and his mother’s labor is in vain. One who is called a living corpse, whose actions are sinful, and who has not heard even a little of Śuka’s narration, is condemned as a man equal to an animal, a burden on the earth—so declare the foremost among the gods. The story that arises from the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is rare in this world; it is attained only by virtue accumulated over millions of births. Therefore, O wise one, this treasure of yoga should be listened to with effort. There are no restrictions on days—hearing it at all times is recommended. It should be heard with truthfulness and celibacy, but in the age of Kali, because people are unable, a special instruction is given by Śuka. Mastery over the mind and discipline, as well as formal initiation, are difficult to accomplish; therefore, hearing the Bhāgavata over seven days is recommended. The result gained by one who listens with faith daily, especially in the month of Māgha, is achieved by Śuka through seven-day hearing. Because people cannot conquer the mind, fall ill, have short lifespans, and because faults abound in Kali, seven-day hearing is best. The result that cannot be attained by austerity, yoga, or meditation is easily gained in full by hearing over seven days. Seven-day hearing surpasses sacrifice, vows, austerity, and pilgrimage; it surpasses yoga, meditation, and knowledge again and again—its greatness knows no bounds. At this, Śaunaka asked: “This narration is indeed wonderful, setting aside knowledge and other dharmas. How has the Bhāgavata Purāṇa, which leads to the supreme good and points to yoga and other paths, arisen?” Sūta replied: “When Kṛṣṇa resolved to leave the earth and return to his own abode, he listened to his eleven principal devotees. Then Uddhava spoke to him: ‘O Govinda, you will depart after fulfilling the work for your devotees. Hearing the great concern in my heart, please bring comfort. Now the dreadful Kali age has arrived; wicked people will arise again, and even the virtuous, by association, will become fierce. The earth, heavy with burden, will take refuge in the form of a cow. O lotus-eyed one, no other protector is seen apart from you. Therefore, O lover of devotees, show compassion and do not depart. For the sake of your devotees, you have assumed a form with qualities, though you are formless and conscious. How will your devotees remain on earth in your absence? Worship of the formless is difficult; therefore, consider something.’ Having heard Uddhava’s words, Hari pondered at Prabhāsa: ‘What should I do for the support of my devotees?’ He placed his own divine radiance into the Bhāgavata, concealing himself and entering into the sacred ocean of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Thus, this form made of words, the Bhāgavata, stands manifest as Hari himself. By serving, hearing, reciting, or even beholding it, all sins are destroyed. Therefore, the hearing of the Bhāgavata over seven days has been declared superior to all other practices, setting aside other disciplines; this is the dharma proclaimed for the age of Kali. This dharma is given in Kali for the removal of suffering, poverty, misfortune, and sin, and for the conquest of desire and anger. Otherwise, even the gods find it extremely difficult to abandon the illusion of the Vaiṣṇavas—how then could ordinary people renounce it? Therefore, the seven-day recitation is prescribed.