As the sacred day dawns, the speaker who is to recite the divine narrative undertakes a ritual shaving before sunrise, honoring the vow that lies ahead. With the first light of morning, he completes his purification and bathes, preparing himself both outwardly and inwardly for the holy task. Each day, he carefully performs his sandhya and other prescribed rites, giving them the attention they deserve. Then, he offers worship to the lord of obstacles, seeking the removal of any hindrance that may impede the narration. He satisfies the ancestors through rites of purification, performs atonement, and creates a sacred mandala, establishing Hari within its bounds. With a mantra dedicated to Krishna, he proceeds with the ritual worship, following the proper order. After circumambulating and offering prostrations, he concludes the worship by reciting praises. With humility, he prays, “O ocean of compassion, lift me from the sea of worldly existence, for I am wretched and bound by the delusion of karma. Rescue me from this ocean of becoming.” Next, he worships the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam with care and affection, following the prescribed method, adorning the ceremony with incense and lamps. Holding a coconut, he offers salutations, reciting praises with a cheerful heart. He acknowledges, “This scripture known as the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is Krishna Himself, manifest before us. O Lord, I have accepted You for the purpose of liberation from the ocean of worldly existence. My cherished desire has been fulfilled entirely by You. May there be no obstacles; I am Your servant, O Keśava.” Having spoken thus with humility, he honors the speaker of the narrative, adorning him with garments and ornaments, and offers further praise. He invokes, “O boar-formed, awakened one, expert in all scriptures, by the revelation of this narrative, destroy my ignorance.” With joy, he undertakes the vow for his own welfare, to be observed for seven nights, according to his capacity. He selects five Brahmins to ensure the narration proceeds without interruption, instructing them to recite the twelve-syllable mantra of Hari. He bows to and honors Brahmins, Vaiṣṇavas, and those who perform kīrtana, giving them instructions before taking his seat. Setting aside all concerns for wealth, possessions, home, and children, he absorbs his mind fully in the narrative, pure in intent, thereby attaining the highest result. The narration begins at sunrise and continues for three and a half watches of the day, recited steadily and properly by a wise person. At midday, there is a pause for two ghaṭikās, during which Vaiṣṇavas perform kīrtana. For mastery over bodily functions, a light meal is taken for comfort; the seeker eats havis food only once. If able, he may fast for seven nights, or listen after drinking ghee or milk. Alternatively, he may subsist on fruit or eat only once—whatever is manageable for the purpose of listening. Eating is considered preferable for listeners; fasting is not recommended if it interrupts the narration. The rules for those undertaking the seven-day vow are then explained: only those initiated into Viṣṇu are eligible to listen. They observe celibacy, sleep on the ground, eat from leaves, and partake of food only after the narrative is completed each day. They avoid split pulses, honey, oil, heavy foods, and anything impure or stale. They keep far from desire, anger, intoxication, pride, envy, greed, hypocrisy, delusion, and hatred. Those reciting these stories avoid speaking ill of Vedic scholars, Vaiṣṇavas, brāhmaṇas, teachers, cows, those observing vows, women, kings, and great souls. They do not converse with women in their period, outcastes, foreigners, the fallen, those outside the Vedic fold, haters of the twice-born, or those opposed to the Vedas. They practice truthfulness, purity, compassion, silence, simplicity, humility, and generosity of mind. The poor, the wasting, the sick, the unfortunate, those engaged in sinful acts, the childless, and those desiring liberation are encouraged to listen to this story. Women who do not conceive, whose children die, who are barren, who have lost a child, or who suffer miscarriage should hear this story with care. When this story is heard in the prescribed manner by such persons, it yields inexhaustible merit, bestowing the fruit of millions of sacrifices. After the vow is completed, its conclusion is performed, just as those desiring results observe the Janmāṣṭamī vow. For the destitute but devoted, there is no insistence on the concluding rite; they are purified simply by hearing, being desireless Vaiṣṇavas. When the sacrifice of narrating the story is completed, both the book and the speaker are worshipped with great devotion by the listeners. Garlands of sacred basil are given to the listeners, and melodious kīrtana with mṛdaṅga and cymbals is performed. Shouts of victory, words of reverence, and the sound of conch shells are arranged; wealth and food are given to brāhmaṇas and beggars. If the listener is detached, singing and instrumental music are performed the next day; if a householder, a fire sacrifice is conducted for purification. For each verse, offerings of sweet rice, honey, ghee, and sesame mixed with other ingredients are made, especially for the Tenth Canto. Alternatively, the fire offering may be performed with the Gāyatrī mantra, with full concentration, recognizing that the Purāṇa is of the same essence as the Supreme. If unable to perform the fire offering, a wise person may give its materials to others for the attainment of its results, removing obstacles and deficiencies or excesses. Thus, the sacred vow and narration conclude, bestowing blessings and merit upon all who participate with faith and devotion.