Gokarṇa, firmly established in the practice of yoga, set out on a pilgrimage, free from both sorrow and happiness, untouched by the notions of friend or enemy. Meanwhile, his brother Dhundhukārī remained at home, surrounded by five courtesans. Deluded by his attachment to their upkeep, Dhundhukārī committed extremely cruel deeds. One day, the courtesans desired ornaments. Dhundhukārī, blinded by lust and heedless of the dangers of his actions, left home to acquire the desired items. He gathered wealth from various sources and returned, showering the women with fine clothes, ornaments, and other goods. That night, seeing the accumulation of wealth, the courtesans whispered among themselves: “He steals every day; surely the king will arrest him. After seizing the wealth, the king will certainly kill him. Why should we not secretly kill him ourselves, to protect our own interests?” Resolving thus, they bound Dhundhukārī with ropes as he slept and killed him, took the wealth, and left for parts unknown. Placing a noose around his neck, they tried to end his life swiftly, but he did not die immediately, causing them anxiety. In their desperation, they threw heaps of burning coals into his mouth. Tormented by the flames, Dhundhukārī perished. The reckless women abandoned his body in a pit, keeping the secret hidden from all. When questioned by others, they claimed, “He has gone far away; he is dear to us and will return this year, drawn by his greed for wealth.” From this, it is said that a wise person should never place trust in wicked women; the fool who relies on them is overwhelmed by suffering. The words of lustful women are sweet like nectar and enhance pleasure, but their hearts are sharp as razors—who among men is truly dear to them? Having seized his wealth, the promiscuous women departed, leaving Dhundhukārī to become a great ghost, tormented by the consequences of his evil deeds. As a restless spirit, he took the form of a whirlwind, constantly running in all directions, afflicted by cold and heat, lacking food and thirsting, never finding shelter, and repeatedly crying out, “Alas, fate!” After some time, Gokarṇa learned from the world of his brother’s death. Recognizing Dhundhukārī’s helplessness, Gokarṇa performed the funeral rites at Gaya and, wherever he visited a holy place, he conducted the rites there. After wandering thus, Gokarṇa returned to his city. At night, he slept unnoticed in the courtyard of his own house. There, in the dead of night, Dhundhukārī appeared to Gokarṇa, revealing himself in a most terrifying form. He transformed, one after another, into a sheep, an elephant, a buffalo, Indra, Agni, and then a man—each form only once. Witnessing these transformations, Gokarṇa, calm and resolute, realized this was someone in a miserable state and spoke to him: “Who are you, so fierce at night? From where have you come to this condition? Are you a ghost, a goblin, or a demon? Tell us.” Suta said: Thus questioned, Dhundhukārī cried out loudly again and again, unable to speak words, only making gestures of consciousness. Gokarṇa then took water in his hands and raised him up; freed by this act, Dhundhukārī, the sinner, began to speak. The ghost said, “I am your brother, Dhundhukārī. Through my own fault, I have destroyed my human birth. My deeds are countless, born of great ignorance. I harmed the worlds and was killed by women through suffering. Now, I have become a ghost and bear this wretched state, living on air and receiving results only as fate allows. O friend, ocean of compassion, brother, quickly release me!” Hearing these words, Gokarṇa responded. Gokarṇa said, “For your sake, I have offered the ancestral oblation at Gaya. How is it that you have not been liberated? This astonishes me. If even the Gayā śrāddha does not bring liberation, what else can be done? Tell me, departed one, what should I do for you? Speak the truth in detail.” The departed one replied, “Even with a hundred Gayā śrāddhas, I will not attain liberation. Consider now some other means for my release.” Hearing this, Gokarṇa was amazed. “If liberation is not gained even by a hundred śrāddhas, your release is indeed difficult. Remain in your own place, O departed one, without fear. I will consider and perform some act for your liberation.” Thus instructed, Dhundhukārī returned to his own place, while Gokarṇa spent the night in deep thought, unable to sleep. In the morning, as Gokarṇa arrived, the people gathered with joy, and he told them all that had transpired during the night. The learned, those steadfast in yoga, the wise, and the speakers of Brahman examined the collections of scriptures, yet found no means for Dhundhukārī’s liberation. Then, all agreed that the words of the Sun were supreme regarding his release. At that moment, Gokarṇa restrained the speed of the Sun and offered his respects: “O witness of the world, tell me the cause of liberation.” Hearing this from afar, the Sun spoke clearly: “Recite the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam for seven days—this brings liberation.” All recognized this as the true form of dharma and agreed: “This must be done with effort, for it is indeed easy.” Gokarṇa, thus resolved, began the recitation.