People from villages and distant regions gathered, drawn by the promise of hearing a sacred narration. The assembly was remarkable—not only the strong and able, but also the lame, the blind, the elderly, and the slow came, seeking the destruction of their sins. The gathering grew so vast and wondrous that even the gods were amazed. At its center, Gokarṇa, having taken his seat, began to recount the divine story. At that moment, the departed soul, searching for a place to listen, noticed a bamboo standing upright, marked by seven knots. He entered a hole at the base of the bamboo, and, unable to remain in his subtle form as wind, he settled within the bamboo itself. Recognizing the chief Vaiṣṇava brāhmaṇa as the foremost listener, Gokarṇa, the son of Dhenu, began narrating the story with clarity, starting from the first book. As each day ended and the verse was recited, a wondrous event occurred: the knot in the bamboo split with a resounding crack, witnessed by the virtuous assembly. On the second day, the second knot broke in the evening; on the third day, the third knot split, and so it continued. Over seven days, all seven knots were broken. Having listened to the twelve cantos, the departed soul was freed from his state. He emerged in a divine form, adorned with a garland of tulasi, clothed in yellow garments, dark as a rain cloud, crowned and wearing earrings. He immediately bowed to his brother Gokarṇa, expressing gratitude: “By your compassion, I am freed from bondage and the impurity of being a departed soul.” All praised the Bhagavata discourse, which destroys the suffering of departed souls. They honored the seven-day recitation, which grants the fruit of attaining Krishna’s realm. All sins tremble when this hearing is undertaken; the narration brings immediate deliverance. Whether moist or dry, light or heavy, whether 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? The body is merely a pillar of bones, bound by sinews, smeared with flesh and blood, covered by skin, foul-smelling, and a vessel for urine and excrement. Afflicted by old age, sorrow, and the consequences of actions, it is a house of disease and suffering, hard to fill, hard to bear, corrupted, flawed, and perishable in a moment. It ends in worms, filth, and ashes; how can unstable actions performed with such a body ever accomplish anything lasting? The food prepared in the morning perishes by evening; in a body nourished by such food, what permanence can there be? By hearing for seven days, Hari is attained in this world; for the removal of faults, this alone is the means. Like bubbles in water, like insects among creatures, those who lack the hearing of the narration are born only to die. The splitting of a dry bamboo knot is wondrous, but the splitting of the knot in the heart by hearing the narration is far more wondrous. When the knot of the heart is broken, all doubts are cut, and actions are exhausted by the seven-day hearing. When the mind is established at the sacred ford of narration, which washes away the filth of worldly mire, then liberation alone is declared by the wise. As these words were spoken, a celestial chariot arrived, surrounded by the radiant residents of Vaikuṇṭha. Before the eyes of all, the son of Dhundhulī ascended the chariot. Seeing the Vaiṣṇavas in the chariot, Gokarṇa asked, “Here are many pure listeners of mine; why have celestial chariots not come for all of them at the same time? Hearing was equally performed by all; why then is there a difference in result? Let the devotees of Hari explain.” The servants of Hari replied, “The difference in result is due to the difference in hearing. Though all have heard, not all have reflected as much. Therefore, the difference in result arises even from worship. The departed soul performed hearing while fasting for seven nights, and he also engaged in deep reflection and concentration of mind. Knowledge that is not firm is destroyed, hearing is ruined by negligence, a mantra is lost if doubted, and recitation is spoiled by a distracted mind. A place not devoted to Viṣṇu is ruined, a śrāddha performed for the unworthy is ruined, charity given to one unlearned in scripture is ruined, and a family is ruined by misconduct. Faith in the words of the guru, humility within oneself, conquering the faults of the mind, and unwavering attention in the narration—if these and the like are accomplished, then indeed the fruit of hearing is attained. At the end of the narration, residence in Vaikuṇṭha is certain for all. O Gokarṇa, Govinda himself will grant you Goloka.” Having spoken thus, all the devotees of Hari departed to Vaikuṇṭha. In the following month, Gokarṇa again recited the narration; once more, hearing was performed for seven nights. O Nārada, listen to what happened then: At the conclusion of the narration, Hari himself appeared with the devotees and celestial chariots. There were cries of victory and salutations. Out of joy, Hari sounded the Pāñcajanya conch; embracing Gokarṇa, he made him like himself. Instantly, Hari transformed the other listeners as well, making them dark-hued like rain clouds, clothed in yellow silk, crowned and adorned with earrings. Thus, through the power of attentive hearing and reflection upon the sacred narration, all attained the divine realm, freed from bondage and suffering, and welcomed by Hari himself.