Having first satisfied the ancestors for purification, the seeker should perform acts of atonement, preparing a sacred mandala and establishing Hari within it. With a mantra dedicated to Krishna, he is to worship in the proper sequence, offering circumambulation and prostration, and concluding the ritual with heartfelt praise. He prays, “O ocean of compassion, lift me—wretched and bound by the delusions of karma—from the endless sea of worldly existence.” Then, with care and affection, he worships the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam itself, following the prescribed method and offering incense and lamps. Afterwards, holding a coconut in his hands, he offers salutations and recites praises with a cheerful mind. He acknowledges, “This scripture, the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, is Krishna Himself, manifest before us. O Lord, I have accepted You for the purpose of liberation from the ocean of becoming. My cherished desire has been fulfilled entirely by You. Without any obstacles, it must be carried out; I am Your servant, O Keśava.” Speaking thus in a humble voice, he honors the speaker of the narrative, adorning him with garments and ornaments, and after the worship, offers praise: “O boar-formed, awakened one, expert in all scriptures, by the revelation of this narrative, destroy my ignorance.” Following this, he undertakes a joyful vow for his own welfare, observing it for seven nights according to his capacity. Five Brahmins are selected to prevent interruption of the narration, and they recite the twelve-syllable mantra of Hari. Having bowed to and honored Brahmins, Vaiṣṇavas, and others who perform kīrtana, and after instructing them, he takes his own seat. He casts aside concerns for wealth, possessions, home, and children, and with a mind absorbed in the narrative and pure in intent, he attains the highest result. The narration begins at sunrise and continues for three and a half watches of the day, recited properly with a steady voice by a wise person. At midday, a pause is made for two ghaṭikās, during which the Vaiṣṇavas perform kīrtana. For mastery over bodily functions, a light meal that brings comfort is taken; the seeker eats havis food only once. If able, he fasts for seven nights, listening to the story; or, he may drink ghee or milk and listen comfortably. Alternatively, he may subsist on fruit or eat only once—whatever is easily accomplished for the purpose of listening. Eating is preferable for those listening to the narrative; fasting is not recommended if it causes interruption. O Nārada, hear the rules for those undertaking the seven-day vow: 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 day’s narration is completed. They avoid split pulses, honey, oil, heavy foods, and anything impure or stale. They keep far away desire, anger, intoxication, pride, envy, greed, hypocrisy, delusion, and hatred. Those reciting the 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 should listen to this story. Women who do not conceive, whose children die, who are barren, who have lost their child, or who suffer miscarriage should carefully hear this story. When this story is heard according to the prescribed method by such persons, it yields inexhaustible merit; this divine, most excellent story bestows the fruit of millions of sacrifices. Having thus performed the vow, one should complete its conclusion, just as those desiring results perform the Janmāṣṭamī vow. For those who are destitute but devoted, there is generally no insistence on the concluding rite; for they are purified simply by hearing, being desireless Vaiṣṇavas. When the sacrifice of narrating the story is completed, the book and the speaker should be 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, then a fire sacrifice is done for the purification of actions. For each verse, according to the proper method, sweet rice, honey, ghee, and sesame mixed with other ingredients are offered, especially for the Tenth Canto. Alternatively, the fire offering may be performed with the Gāyatrī mantra, with full concentration, for the Purāṇa is of the same essence as the Supreme. If unable to perform the fire offering, a wise person gives the materials for it to others, seeking the result and removal of obstacles and deficiencies or excesses. To pacify faults, the thousand names of the Lord are recited, for by this, everything becomes fruitful; there is nothing greater than this. Afterwards, twelve brāhmaṇas are fed with sweet rice and honey, and gold and a cow are given to complete the vow. Thus, the sacred narration and its observances are fulfilled, bestowing inexhaustible merit and liberation to all who participate with devotion.