At that moment, the departed soul arrived, searching for a resting place. His gaze fell upon a bamboo stalk standing upright, marked by seven distinct knots. Drawn to it, he entered a hole at the bamboo’s base to listen, unable to remain in his subtle form as wind. Thus, he entered the bamboo itself. Inside, he found himself before Gokarṇa, the chief Vaiṣṇava brāhmaṇa, renowned as the foremost listener. The son of Dhenu began to narrate the sacred Bhagavata, starting from the very first book, his words clear and resonant. As the day came to a close and the verse was recited, a wondrous event occurred: the first knot in the bamboo split open with a resounding crack, witnessed by the virtuous assembled there. On the second evening, the second knot broke; on the third, the third knot. This miraculous breaking continued each evening, and over seven days, all seven knots were shattered. Having listened to the twelve cantos of the Bhagavata, the departed soul was freed from his state of bondage. He emerged in 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. Immediately, he bowed to his brother Gokarṇa and spoke with gratitude: “By your compassion, I am freed from bondage and the impurity of being a departed soul.” He praised the discourse of the Bhagavata, declaring it blessed, for it destroys the suffering of departed souls. He extolled the seven-day recitation, which grants the fruit of attaining Krishna’s realm. “All sins tremble,” he said, “when the seven-day hearing is undertaken; this narration brings immediate deliverance. Whether moist or dry, light or heavy, done by speech, mind, or action, hearing burns away sin, just as fire consumes fuel.” He reflected further: “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 strong, well-nourished 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, 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 bear, corrupted, flawed, and perishable in a moment. The body 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?” He continued, “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 how much more wondrous is the splitting of the knot in the heart by hearing the narration. The knot of the heart is broken, all doubts are cut, and actions are exhausted when the seven-day hearing is performed. When the mind is established at the sacred ford of narration, most capable of washing away the filth of worldly mire, liberation alone is declared by the wise.” As he spoke, a celestial chariot arrived, surrounded by the radiant residents of Vaikuṇṭha. While all watched, the son of Dhundhulī ascended the chariot. Seeing the Vaiṣṇavas in the chariot, Gokarṇa addressed them: “Here are many pure listeners of mine; why have celestial chariots not come for all at the same time? Hearing was equally performed by all here; why then has there arisen 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, even in worship, difference arises, O respectful one. 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, conquering the faults of the mind, and unwavering attention in the narration—if these are accomplished, then the fruit of hearing is attained; and at the end of the narration, residence in Vaikuṇṭha is certain for all. O Gokarṇa, Govinda himself will grant you Goloka.” With these words, all the devotees of Hari departed to Vaikuṇṭha. In the following month, Gokarṇa again recited the narration, and once more, the listeners undertook hearing for seven nights. O Nārada, listen now to what happened at the conclusion of the narration. Hari himself appeared there, accompanied by his devotees and celestial chariots. At that time, cries of victory and salutations echoed everywhere. Out of joy, Hari sounded the Pāñcajanya conch and, embracing Gokarṇa, 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. Even those living in the village, born among horse-keepers and outcastes, were placed in celestial chariots by the grace of Gokarṇa. Those sent to the realm of Hari, where yogis go, that cowherd, along with Gokarṇa, reached Goloka, beloved of the cowherds. Pleased by hearing the stories, the Lord, who cherishes his devotees, departed, leaving behind the sweet memory of deliverance and divine grace.