Overwhelmed by the weight of his past misdeeds, Dhundhukārī lamented, “There is no end to the actions I performed in ignorance. In my folly, I brought harm to the worlds and, tormented by suffering, I met my death at the hands of women. Now, as a result, I have become a restless spirit, doomed to this wretched existence. I survive only on air and receive whatever fate doles out to me—nothing more.” In his anguish, Dhundhukārī called out, “O friend! O ocean of compassion! O my brother, quickly release me from this torment!” Hearing these desperate words, Gokarṇa responded with kindness and concern. Gokarṇa said, “For your sake, I have already performed the sacred ancestral oblations at Gayā. How is it that you have not found liberation? This truly astonishes me. If even the Gayā śrāddha cannot grant release, then what other means exist? Tell me honestly and in detail what I can do for you, O departed one.” Dhundhukārī replied, “Even if you were to perform a hundred Gayā śrāddhas for me, I would not attain liberation. Please consider another way to free me from this bondage.” Hearing this, Gokarṇa was filled with wonder and concern. “If not even a hundred śrāddhas can liberate you, then your release is indeed difficult. But do not fear—remain where you are. I will contemplate and undertake some act that will bring about your liberation.” Thus reassured, Dhundhukārī departed to his own place. Gokarṇa, meanwhile, spent the entire night deep in thought, unable to find rest. At dawn, as Gokarṇa appeared among the people, they gathered around him, filled with joy and curiosity. He recounted everything that had transpired during the night. The learned, the steadfast in yoga, the wise, and the great speakers of Brahman—all gathered and examined the scriptures thoroughly. Yet, none could find a means for Dhundhukārī’s liberation. Then, among all present, the words of the Sun were acknowledged as supreme regarding the matter of liberation. At that moment, Gokarṇa, with great devotion, restrained the Sun’s course and prayed, “O witness of the world, I bow to you. Please reveal the cause of liberation.” Hearing this plea from afar, the Sun spoke clearly: “Recite the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam for seven days—this alone brings liberation.” All recognized this as the true path of dharma. “This must be accomplished with effort,” they agreed, “for it is indeed easy.” With firm resolve, Gokarṇa began preparations for the seven-day recitation. News spread quickly, and people flocked from villages and distant regions—the lame, the blind, the elderly, and the slow—all seeking the destruction of their sins through hearing the sacred narration. A great assembly formed, so wondrous that even the gods were amazed, as Gokarṇa took his seat and began the recitation. At that time, Dhundhukārī, still in his subtle form, arrived and looked about for a place to listen. He noticed a bamboo stalk with seven knots standing upright and entered a hole at its base, taking his place within, unable to remain in his windy ghostly form. Gokarṇa, the chief among Vaiṣṇava brāhmaṇas, began the clear and faithful narration of the Bhāgavatam, starting from the very first book. At the end of the first day, as he recited the final verse, a wondrous event occurred: the first knot of the bamboo split open with a resounding crack, witnessed by all the virtuous assembled. On the evening of the second day, the second knot broke; on the third evening, the third knot split, and so it continued—each day, a new knot burst open. Over the course of seven days, all seven knots were broken. Having listened to the complete twelve cantos of the Bhāgavatam, Dhundhukārī was freed from the state of a departed spirit. He emerged in a divine form, adorned with a garland of tulasī leaves, clad in yellow garments, his complexion dark as a rain cloud, crowned and wearing splendid earrings. With deep gratitude, he immediately bowed to his brother Gokarṇa and said, “By your compassion, I have been freed from bondage and the impurity of being a departed soul.” He continued, “Blessed is the discourse of the Bhāgavata, which destroys the suffering of departed souls! Blessed, too, is the seven-day recitation, which grants the supreme fruit of attaining Krishna’s realm. All sins tremble before the seven-day hearing; this narration brings immediate deliverance. Whether the actions are light or heavy, moist or dry, done by speech, mind, or body, hearing this sacred story burns away sin as fire consumes fuel.” “In this land of Bharata, among the wise and even in the assembly of gods, the birth of those who do not hear this narration is declared fruitless. What is the use of protecting a strong, well-nourished body, which is unstable, if one does not hear the teachings of Shuka? This body is but a pillar of bones, bound by sinews, smeared with flesh and blood, covered by skin, foul-smelling—a vessel for urine and excrement. It is afflicted by old age, sorrow, and the consequences of actions—a house of disease and suffering, hard to fill, hard to bear, corrupted, flawed, and perishable in an instant. In the end, it becomes worms, filth, and ashes; how can any lasting good come from actions performed with such a body?” “Even the food prepared in the morning perishes by evening; in a body nourished by such impermanent food, what permanence can there be? By hearing for seven days, Hari is attained in this very world—therefore, for the removal of faults, this alone is the means. Like bubbles in water, like insects among creatures, those who lack the hearing of this narration are born only to die.” “While the splitting of a dry bamboo’s knot is wondrous, far more wondrous is the splitting of the knot in the heart through hearing this sacred story. When the knot of the heart is broken, all doubts are cut, and one’s actions are exhausted—this is the fruit of the seven-day hearing. When the mind is established at the sacred ford of narration, which most effectively washes away the filth of worldly existence, then liberation alone is declared by the wise.” Even as Dhundhukārī was speaking, a celestial chariot arrived, radiant and surrounded by the residents of Vaikuṇṭha, shining with a brilliant aura.