Atmadeva, a brahmin, found himself in a peculiar situation. To test the truth of a prophecy, he offered a fruit to a cow, following the ways of women, and events unfolded accordingly. In time, his wife gave birth to a son. Atmadeva, the father, quietly took the newborn boy and entrusted him to Dhundhuli, his wife. She announced to her husband, "A healthy boy has been born; joy fills the household, for Atmadeva has a son." Celebrations followed—gifts were given to the twice-born, birth rites were performed, and auspicious songs and music echoed at the doorway. Yet, in front of her husband, Dhundhuli claimed, "There is no milk in my breast; another has drawn out the milk, so how can I nourish the child?" She suggested, "My co-wife, who has given birth, has lost her child. Bring her here, keep her in the house—she can nourish your son." Atmadeva did as she advised, seeking only to protect his child. The mother named the boy Dhundhukari. Three months later, the cow that had received the fruit gave birth to a calf, wondrous in form—divine, spotless, and radiant like gold. Atmadeva, delighted, performed the birth rites himself. The townsfolk gathered, marveling at the miracle: Atmadeva’s good fortune had blossomed, for a child had been born from the cow, divine and extraordinary. By fate’s design, the secret behind the child’s birth remained unknown. Seeing the child’s cow-like ears, they named him Gokarna. Both sons grew into young men. Gokarna became learned and wise, while Dhundhukari turned exceedingly wicked. Dhundhukari neglected cleanliness, ate impure food, lacked anger, engaged in wrongful acts, and even consumed food with hands tainted by contact with corpses. He became a thief, despised by all, set fire to others’ homes, and, for amusement, would throw children into wells. Violent and armed, he oppressed the poor and blind, consorted with outcastes, carried a noose, and kept company with dogs. Through association with prostitutes, Dhundhukari squandered his ancestral wealth. Once, after beating his parents, he stole their possessions. Atmadeva, now destitute and pitiable, cried out, "Such a wicked son who brings suffering deserves to be killed. Where shall I stay, where shall I go, who will remove my sorrow? I will give up my life in this misery—alas, how wretched is my state!" It was then that Gokarna, wise and compassionate, came to his father and instructed him, showing the path of detachment. He taught, "This worldly existence is insubstantial and full of suffering; it deludes us. Whose son, whose wealth, whose affection truly lasts? Even Indra, the king of gods, and universal monarchs know no happiness; happiness is found only by the dispassionate sage who dwells in solitude. Abandon ignorance, which takes the form of attachment to offspring; through delusion comes the path to hell. This body will fall, leaving all—go to the forest." Moved by Gokarna’s words, Atmadeva asked, "My child, tell me in detail what should be done in the forest. Bound in the dark pit by the snare of affection, I am lame, deceitful, and fallen through my actions—O ocean of compassion, please lift me up." Gokarna replied, "Abandon attachment to this body of bones, flesh, and blood. Give up possessiveness toward wife, children, and others; see that this world is ever fleeting and perishable—delight in detachment and devotion. Constantly practice true dharma, forsake worldly duties, serve saintly persons, and renounce desire and craving. Quickly give up thinking of others’ faults and virtues, and deeply drink the nectar of service and sacred stories." Thus, compelled by his son’s guidance, Atmadeva left his home. At sixty years of age, he entered the forest with firm resolve. Daily, he served Hari and attained Śrī Kṛṣṇa through recitation of the Tenth Canto. He resided in the celestial city, enjoying the splendor of the gods’ gardens, in Indra’s palace built by Viśvakarmā—abode of the fortune of the three worlds, together with all prosperity. Rich in knowledge, wealth, and noble birth, Atmadeva was free from pride and arrogance. After Atmadeva’s departure, his wife suffered greatly. Dhundhukari, her son, beat her severely, demanding, "Tell me where the wealth is kept, or I will kill you with this stick!" Terrified and distressed for her son, she threw herself into a well at night and ended her life. Gokarna, established in yoga, departed on pilgrimage. He had neither sorrow nor happiness, neither enemies nor friends. Dhundhukari remained at home, surrounded by five courtesans, performing extremely cruel deeds, his mind deluded by their maintenance. One day, desiring ornaments, the courtesans prompted him; blinded by lust and forgetting death, he left the house to obtain them. Gathering wealth from various sources, he returned home and gave the women fine clothes, ornaments, and other items. Seeing the accumulation of wealth, the courtesans conspired at night, "He steals daily; the king will arrest him. After taking the wealth, the king will certainly kill him; therefore, to protect our interests, why should we not secretly kill him ourselves?" Resolving thus, they bound him with ropes while he slept, killed him, took the wealth, and departed. They placed a noose around his neck and began to kill him; though they acted swiftly, he did not die, and they became anxious. Finally, they threw heaps of burning coals into his mouth; tormented by the extreme pain, Dhundhukari perished. Thus, the story unfolds: wisdom and virtue shine in Gokarna, while the path of ignorance and cruelty leads Dhundhukari to ruin. Atmadeva, guided by his wise son, finds liberation, while Dhundhukari’s wickedness brings suffering to himself and others.