Recognizing his brother Dhundhukari’s helpless state, Gokarna undertook the funeral rites at Gaya, the sacred city, hoping to bring him peace. Wherever Gokarna traveled to holy places, he performed these rites again and again, seeking liberation for Dhundhukari’s suffering soul. After wandering in this way, Gokarna returned to his own city. That night, he lay down to rest in the courtyard of his house, unnoticed by anyone. As he slept, Dhundhukari approached him. In the dead of night, Dhundhukari revealed himself to his relative, manifesting a most terrifying form. Before Gokarna’s eyes, Dhundhukari transformed repeatedly—first into a sheep, then an elephant, then a buffalo, then Indra himself, then Agni, and finally back into a man—each form appearing only once. Witnessing these strange transformations, Gokarna remained calm and resolute. He understood that this being was in a miserable state, and he spoke to him, saying, “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.” Thus questioned, Dhundhukari cried out loudly again and again, unable to utter words, gesturing only to convey his consciousness. Seeing his distress, Gokarna took water in his hands and raised him up. Freed by this single act, the sinner was able to speak. Dhundhukari said, “I am your brother, named Dhundhukari. By my own fault, I have destroyed my human birth. There is no count of my misdeeds, born of great ignorance. I am one who harmed the worlds, killed by women through suffering. Therefore, I have become a ghost and bear this wretched state. I live on air, receiving results only as 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 there is no other means here. What should I do for you, O departed one? Tell me the truth in detail.” Dhundhukari answered, “Even with a hundred Gaya śrāddhas, I will not attain liberation. Consider now some other means for my release.” Gokarna was amazed. “If liberation is not gained even by a hundred śrāddhas, then your release is indeed difficult. Now, 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 own place, and Gokarna spent the night deep in thought, unable to sleep. In the morning, the people gathered joyfully to see Gokarna. He told them everything that had happened during the night. The learned, the steadfast in yoga, the wise, and the speakers of Brahman—all examined the collections of scriptures, but none could find any means for Dhundhukari’s liberation. Then, the words of the Sun were established as supreme regarding his release. At that moment, Gokarna restrained the speed of the Sun and offered his respects, saying, “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 said, “This must be done with effort, for it is indeed easy.” Gokarna resolved to begin the recitation. For the sake of hearing the Bhagavata, 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 was formed, causing wonder even among the gods, as Gokarna took his seat and began narrating the story. At that time, Dhundhukari also arrived, searching for a place to listen. He saw a bamboo with seven knots standing upright. Entering a hole at its base, he stood within, unable to remain as wind, and entered the bamboo. Recognizing the chief Vaiṣṇava brāhmaṇa as the foremost listener, Gokarna, the son of Dhenu, began the clear narration from the first book. At the end of the day, as the verse was recited, a wondrous event occurred: the knot in the bamboo split with a sound, witnessed by the virtuous. On the second day, in the evening, the second knot was broken; on the third day, likewise, the third knot was broken. In this way, over seven days, all seven knots were broken. Having listened to the twelve cantos, Dhundhukari abandoned the state of a departed soul. He assumed a divine form, adorned with a garland of tulasi, clad in yellow garments, dark as a rain cloud, crowned and wearing earrings. Immediately, he bowed to his brother Gokarna and said, “By your compassion, I have been freed from bondage and the impurity of being a departed soul. Blessed is the discourse of the Bhagavata, which destroys the suffering of departed souls; blessed too is the seven-day recitation, which grants the fruit of attaining Krishna’s realm. All sins tremble when the seven-day hearing is undertaken; this narration will bring about our immediate deliverance. Whether moist or dry, light or heavy, done by speech, mind, or action, hearing burns away sin, just as fire consumes fuel. In this land of Bharata, among the wise and in the assembly of gods, the birth of those who do not hear the narration is declared fruitless. What is the use of protecting a well-nourished, strong body, which is unstable, without hearing the teachings of Shuka? It is but a pillar of bones, bound by sinews, smeared with flesh and blood, covered by skin, foul-smelling, and a vessel for urine and excrement.” Thus, the power of the Bhagavata was revealed, and the assembly rejoiced in the liberation of Dhundhukari, blessed by the seven-day recitation and the compassion of Gokarna.