To ensure the uninterrupted narration of this sacred story, five Brahmins are to be specially chosen. Their role is to recite the twelve-syllable mantra of Hari, creating a sanctified atmosphere. Before beginning the narration, one must bow to and honor Brahmins, Vaiṣṇavas, and all others who perform kīrtana, offering them due respect and instructions. Only then should the narrator take his own seat, prepared for the task ahead. With a pure heart and mind absorbed in the story, the narrator must set aside all concerns for wealth, possessions, home, and children. Such single-minded focus, free from worldly distractions, brings the highest spiritual benefit. The narration should begin at sunrise and continue for three and a half watches of the day, the wise speaker maintaining a steady and proper recitation throughout. At midday, there is a prescribed pause of two ghaṭikās. During this interval, Vaiṣṇavas should engage in kīrtana, filling the air with devotional song. To maintain mastery over the body, a light and comforting meal may be taken; the listener should eat havis food only once a day. If possible, one should fast for the full seven nights while listening, or, if needed, sustain oneself with ghee or milk for comfort. Alternatively, subsisting on fruit or eating just once a day is acceptable—whatever is manageable, so long as it supports attentive listening. Eating is preferable for those hearing the story; fasting should not be done if it risks interrupting the narration. O Nārada, hear now the rules for those undertaking the seven-day vow: only those initiated into Viṣṇu are eligible to listen. Observers of the vow should practice celibacy, sleep on the ground, eat from leaves, and take food only after the day’s narration is complete. Each day, they must avoid split pulses, honey, oil, heavy foods, and anything impure or stale. During this sacred period, the vow-holder must keep far from desire, anger, intoxication, pride, envy, greed, hypocrisy, delusion, and hatred. They must not speak ill of Vedic scholars, Vaiṣṇavas, brāhmaṇas, teachers, cows, those observing vows, women, kings, or great souls. Nor should they 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. The vow requires cultivating truthfulness, purity, compassion, silence, simplicity, humility, and generosity of mind. This story is especially to be heard by the poor, the wasting, the sick, the unfortunate, those engaged in sinful acts, the childless, and those desiring liberation. Women who cannot conceive, who have lost children, or who suffer miscarriages should also listen with care. When such persons hear the story according to these instructions, it brings inexhaustible merit. This divine and excellent story bestows the fruit of millions of sacrifices. After completing the vow, the proper concluding rites should be performed, just as those who seek results do at Janmāṣṭamī. For those who are destitute but devoted, the concluding rite is not insisted upon; their pure, desireless Vaiṣṇava hearts are cleansed simply by hearing. When the sacrifice of narration is complete, the book and the speaker should be worshipped with great devotion by the listeners. Garlands of sacred basil are to be given to the listeners, and melodious kīrtana with mṛdaṅga and cymbals should be performed. Shouts of victory resound, words of reverence are spoken, conch shells are blown, and wealth and food are distributed 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 the purification of actions. For each verse, one should offer sweet rice, honey, ghee, and sesame mixed with other ingredients, especially for the Tenth Canto. Alternatively, the fire offering may be performed with the Gāyatrī mantra, for the Purāṇa is of the same essence as the Supreme. If unable to perform the fire offering, one should give the required materials to others so as to still gain the benefit and remove obstacles or deficiencies. To pacify any faults, the thousand names of the Lord should be recited, for nothing is greater and everything becomes fruitful thereby. Afterwards, twelve brāhmaṇas should be fed with sweet rice and honey, and gifts of gold and a cow should be made to complete the vow. If possible, a golden lion weighing three palas should be fashioned, and the book, beautifully written, placed upon it. The teacher should be honored with all appropriate offerings—invitation, gifts, clothing, ornaments, fragrances, and more—befitting one who is self-controlled and worthy of worship. By giving this to the teacher, one is freed from worldly bonds, and all sins are removed through the proper observance of the rite. This auspicious Purāṇa, the Śrīmad Bhāgavata, bestows results without doubt; it is the means for attaining righteousness, desire, wealth, and liberation. The Kumāras concluded: “Thus, everything has been told to you. What more do you wish to hear? For the Śrīmad Bhāgavata itself grants both enjoyment and liberation.” Sūta then said: Having spoken thus, those great souls recited the Bhāgavata narrative, which destroys all sins, is supremely meritorious, and bestows both enjoyment and liberation. For seven days, all beings with controlled minds listened as prescribed, and at the end, they praised the Supreme Person, the best among the gods. At the conclusion, the strength of knowledge, detachment, and devotion became supreme, and a youthful vigor arose, enchanting all beings. Nārada, having achieved his purpose and fulfilled his own desire, was overwhelmed with supreme bliss; his whole body thrilled with joy. Thus, after attentively hearing the narrative, Nārada, beloved of the Lord, with hands joined and voice choked with love, addressed the sages, his heart overflowing with devotion.