Once, a group of reckless women, having no regard for virtue, abandoned the body of Dhundhukari in a pit, concealing his fate so that none knew the secret of his end. When questioned by the people about his sudden absence, these women would reply, “He has gone far away, for he is dear to us; he will return this year, drawn away by greed for wealth.” In truth, they had no intention of revealing what had happened. The wise are warned never to place their trust in wicked women, for the fool who does so is soon overwhelmed by suffering. The words of lustful women may seem like nectar, heightening pleasure, yet their hearts are as sharp as razors—who among men is truly dear to them? Having seized all his wealth, these promiscuous women, who had many lovers, departed, leaving Dhundhukari destitute. As a result of his evil deeds, Dhundhukari became a great ghost, tormented by the consequences of his actions. Transformed into a whirlwind, he wandered restlessly in all ten directions, afflicted by cold and heat, without food or water, and constantly tormented by thirst. He found no shelter anywhere, crying out again and again, “Alas, fate!” After some time, news of his death reached his brother, Gokarna. Recognizing that Dhundhukari was utterly helpless, Gokarna performed the funeral rites at Gaya for his brother’s sake. Wherever he traveled to a holy place, he conducted the rites there as well, hoping to bring peace to Dhundhukari’s troubled spirit. After wandering thus, Gokarna finally returned to his own city. One night, he lay down to sleep in the courtyard of his house, unnoticed by others. As Gokarna slept, Dhundhukari appeared before him in the dead of night, revealing himself in a most terrifying form. He changed shape again and again—becoming a sheep, an elephant, a buffalo, Indra, Agni, and then a man—each form only once. Witnessing these frightful transformations, Gokarna, calm and resolute, perceived that this was a soul in deep misery and addressed him. “Who are you, so fierce in the night? From where have you come to this condition? Are you a ghost, a goblin, or a demon? Tell me the truth,” he asked. Hearing these words, the spirit wailed loudly, unable to speak, making only gestures to show his consciousness. Then Gokarna, with compassion, took water in his hands and raised the spirit up. Freed by this single act, the sinner was able to speak at last. The ghost said, “I am your brother, Dhundhukari. By my own fault, I have destroyed my human birth. There is no end to my deeds, all born of great ignorance. I am one who harmed the worlds and was killed by women through suffering. Thus, I have become a ghost and bear this wretched state. I live only on air, receiving whatever fate allows. O friend, ocean of compassion, brother, quickly release me!” Hearing these words, Gokarna replied, “For your sake, I have duly offered the ancestral oblation at Gaya. How is it that you have not been liberated? This is truly astonishing to me. If liberation does not come even from the Gaya śrāddha, then what else can be done? Tell me truthfully what I should do for you.” The departed one answered, “Even with a hundred Gaya śrāddhas, I will not attain liberation. Consider now some other means for my release.” Gokarna was amazed by these words, realizing that if liberation was not gained even by a hundred śrāddhas, then his brother’s release was indeed difficult. He said, “Remain in your own place, O departed one, without fear. I will consider and perform some act that will bring about your liberation.” Thus instructed, Dhundhukari went to his place, while Gokarna spent the night deep in thought, unable to sleep. In the morning, when Gokarna arrived, the people gathered joyfully to greet him. He told them everything that had happened during the night. The learned, the steadfast in yoga, the wise, and the speakers of Brahman—all of them, though they searched through the scriptures, could not find any means for Dhundhukari’s liberation. Then, everyone agreed that the words of the Sun were supreme regarding his liberation. At that moment, Gokarna invoked the Sun and restrained its course, offering his respects and saying, “O witness of the world, tell me the cause of liberation.” Hearing this plea, the Sun spoke clearly from afar: “Recite the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam for seven days—this brings liberation.” All recognized this as the true form of dharma. Everyone agreed, “This must be done with effort, for it is indeed easy.” Gokarna resolved to begin the recitation. People came from villages and regions— the lame, the blind, the old, and the slow—all gathered for the destruction of their sins. A great assembly formed, so wondrous that even the gods marveled, as Gokarna took his seat and began to narrate the sacred story. At that time, Dhundhukari also arrived, searching for a place from which to listen. There he saw a bamboo with seven knots, standing upright. Entering a hole at its base, he took his place within the bamboo, unable to remain in his form as a wind-ghost. Recognizing the chief Vaiṣṇava brāhmaṇa as the foremost listener, Gokarna, the son of Dhenu, began the clear narration from the very first book. At the end of each day, when the recitation concluded, a wondrous event occurred: the knot in the bamboo split with a resounding crack, witnessed by all the virtuous assembled. On the second day, the second knot broke in the evening; on the third day, the third knot broke, and so on. In this way, over seven days, all seven knots were broken. Having listened to the twelve cantos of the Bhāgavatam, Dhundhukari abandoned his state as a restless ghost. He assumed a divine form, adorned with a garland of tulasi, clad in yellow garments, his complexion dark as a rain cloud, crowned and wearing shining earrings. Thus, by the power of the sacred recitation, Dhundhukari attained liberation and divine grace.