At the time of death, if a person listens with devotion to the words of Śuka’s sacred scripture, Govinda himself grants them entry into Vaikuṇṭha. Moreover, whoever gifts the Bhāgavata Purāṇa—especially when adorned with a golden lion throne—to a Vaiṣṇava, certainly attains union with Kṛṣṇa. But alas, those who, from birth, with a deceitful mind, never taste the narration of Śuka’s scripture live as caṇḍālas or donkeys; their birth is wasted, and their mothers suffer the pain of childbirth in vain. Such a person, condemned as a living corpse whose actions are sinful and who has not even heard a little of Śuka’s narration, is considered by the foremost gods to be equal to an animal—a burden upon the earth. The story that arises from the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is exceedingly 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 is no restriction of days—hearing it at all times is recommended. It should be heard always, with truthfulness and celibacy. Yet, in the age of Kali, due to people’s inability, a special instruction is given by Śuka: mastery over the mind and discipline, as well as proper initiation, are difficult to accomplish; thus, hearing the Bhāgavata over seven days is recommended. The result gained by one who listens daily with faith, especially in the month of Māgha, is achieved by Śuka through seven-day hearing. Because of the inability to conquer the mind, due to disease, the decline of people’s lifespan, and the abundance of faults in Kali, seven-day hearing is prescribed. The result that cannot be obtained through austerity, yoga, or meditation is easily attained in its entirety by hearing over seven days. This seven-day hearing surpasses sacrifice, vows, austerity, and pilgrimage, and is always superior. It even surpasses yoga, meditation, and knowledge—what more can be said of its greatness? Again and again, it surpasses all. Śaunaka then asked, “This narration is indeed wonderful, having set aside knowledge and other dharmas. How has the Bhāgavata Purāṇa, which leads to supreme good and indicates yoga and other paths, arisen?” Sūta replied: When Kṛṣṇa resolved to leave the earth and return to his own abode, he listened to the eleven principal devotees, and Uddhava spoke to him. Uddhava said, “O Govinda, you will depart after fulfilling the work for your devotees. Hearing my great concern, 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. Therefore, this form made of words, the Bhāgavata, stands manifest as Hari himself. By serving, hearing, reciting, or beholding it, sins are destroyed. Thus, 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, for the removal of suffering, poverty, misfortune, and sin, and indeed for the conquest of desire and anger. Otherwise, even the gods find it extremely difficult to abandon the Vaiṣṇava illusion; how then could ordinary people renounce it? Therefore, the seven-day recitation is prescribed. Sūta continued: As the sages revealed this dharma in the assembly of Nāgaśravaṇa, a wondrous event occurred at that very moment. Listen, O Śaunaka, as I tell you. Bhakti, taking her two youthful sons by the hand, suddenly appeared, embodying pure love, repeatedly uttering the names: Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Govinda, Hare, Murāri, Nātha. The assembly saw her arrive, adorned with the ornaments of the Bhāgavata’s meaning and dressed beautifully; they wondered how she had entered and from where she had come among the sages. At that time, the Kumāras spoke, saying, “She has now emerged from the essence of the narrative.” Hearing this, Bhakti, along with her sons, humbly addressed Sanatkumāra, saying, “Today, by you all, I have been nourished, though I was lost in Kali, by the nectar of this narrative. Now, where shall I reside? Let the Brāhmaṇas tell me.” Sanatkumāra replied, “O Bhakti, among devotees you create forms of Govinda, you alone sustain love, you destroy the disease of worldly existence; therefore, remain always, with firm resolve, in the hearts of Vaiṣṇavas.” Thus, even the faults of Kali cannot see her, nor can their power prevail in the world. By their command, Bhakti then took her seat in the hearts of Hari’s servants. Even those who are destitute in all the worlds are truly blessed if they have only devotion to Śrī Hari dwelling in their hearts; for even Hari, abandoning his own abode in every way, enters their hearts, bound by the thread of devotion. What more can be said of the greatness of a Bhāgavata, whose very self is Brahman on earth? By taking refuge in him, even the speaker and the listener of his words attain the pure equality with Kṛṣṇa, which no other dharma grants. Sūta said: Then, seeing the extraordinary devotion in the hearts of the Vaiṣṇavas, the Lord, who is ever affectionate to his devotees, abandoned his own realm. He was adorned with a garland of forest flowers, dark as a raincloud, clad in yellow garments, enchanting in form, radiant with a golden waistband, and wearing a shining crown and earrings. Graceful in the threefold-bending posture, beautiful, adorned with the Kaustubha gem, possessing the beauty of ten million Cupids, and anointed with fragrant sandalwood paste, he was the embodiment of supreme bliss and consciousness, sweet, holding the flute; he entered the pure hearts of his devotees. Those who dwell in Vaikuṇṭha—the Vaiṣṇavas such as Uddhava and others—have also taken up concealed forms here for the sake of hearing these stories.