As the sacred narration unfolded, it was recognized that for those assembled to listen, it is preferable that they partake of food rather than fast—since fasting, if it interrupts the flow of the story, is not recommended. Then the rules for undertaking the seven-day vow of recitation were given: “O Nārada, listen carefully. Only those initiated into Viṣṇu are eligible to hear this narrative; others are not qualified.” For those who observe this vow, certain disciplines are to be followed each day: they should remain celibate, sleep upon the ground, eat their meals from leaves, and only take food after the day’s narration is complete. Their diet, too, is to be pure—eschewing split pulses, honey, oil, heavy foods, and anything impure or stale. But even more important than external discipline is the inner one: the observer of this vow must keep far away from desire, anger, intoxication, pride, envy, greed, hypocrisy, delusion, and hatred. They must refrain from speaking ill of Vedic scholars, Vaiṣṇavas, brāhmaṇas, teachers, cows, those observing vows, women, kings, and great souls. They must not converse with women during their period, with outcastes, foreigners, the fallen, those outside the Vedic tradition, haters of the twice-born, or those opposed to the Vedas. The one who takes up the vow of reciting these stories should practice truthfulness, purity, compassion, silence, simplicity, humility, and generosity of mind. As for the listeners, the door is open wide: the poor, the sick, the unfortunate, those who have committed sins, the childless, those who desire liberation—all should hear this story. Women who do not conceive, whose children have died, who are barren, have lost a child, or suffered miscarriage—such women are especially encouraged to listen with care. When this story is heard in the prescribed manner by such persons, it yields inexhaustible merit. This divine, most excellent story bestows the fruit of millions of sacrifices. Once the vow is thus observed, its conclusion should be performed, just as those who desire results perform the Janmāṣṭamī vow. Yet for those who are destitute but devoted, there is generally no insistence on the concluding rite, for such desireless Vaiṣṇavas are purified simply by hearing. When the sacrifice of narration is complete, the book and the speaker should be worshipped with great devotion by the listeners. Then, garlands of sacred basil are to be distributed, and melodious kīrtana with mṛdaṅga and cymbals should fill the air. Shouts of victory, words of reverence, and the sounding of conch shells should resound, and wealth and food should be given to brāhmaṇas and beggars. If the listener is detached, singing and instrumental music should be performed the next day; if a householder, a fire sacrifice should be done for the purification of actions. For each verse, one should offer, according to the proper method, 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, with full concentration, for the Purāṇa is of the same essence as the Supreme. If one is unable to perform the fire offering, a wise person should give the materials for it to others, to attain the result and remove obstacles or imbalances. To pacify any faults, one should recite the thousand names of the Lord; by this, everything becomes fruitful, for there is nothing greater than this. Afterwards, twelve brāhmaṇas should be fed with sweet rice and honey, and gold and a cow should be given to complete the vow. If possible, a lion of gold weighing three palas should be fashioned, and the book, written in beautiful script, should be placed upon it. The teacher—self-controlled and worthy of worship—should be honored with all proper offerings: invitation, gifts, clothing, ornaments, fragrances, and the like. When a wise person gives this to the teacher, he is freed from the bonds of worldly existence; by performing the prescribed rite, all sins are removed. This auspicious Purāṇa, the Śrīmad Bhāgavata, bestows results; it is certainly the means for attaining righteousness, desire, wealth, and liberation—there is no doubt. The Kumāras then said, “Thus, everything has been told to you; what more do you wish to hear? The Śrīmad Bhāgavata itself grants both enjoyment and liberation.” Sūta continued: Having spoken thus, those great souls recited the Bhāgavata narrative, which destroys all sins, is 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. As a result, the strength of knowledge, detachment, and devotion became supreme; 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. Thus, having listened with full attention, Nārada, beloved of the Lord, with hands joined and voice choked with love, addressed the assembly: “I am blessed, I am favored by you, who are full of boundless compassion; today I have attained the Lord, Hari, the remover of all sins. Among all religious practices, I consider hearing to be the best, O ascetics, for by hearing alone, one attains Kṛṣṇa, who dwells in Vaikuṇṭha.” As Nārada spoke thus, Śuka, the lord of yogis, arrived there, wandering freely. At that time, Vyāsa’s sixteen-year-old son, the moon of the great ocean of knowledge, appeared; at the end of the discourse, fulfilled in his own attainment, he began to recite the Bhāgavata with love, slowly and gently. Seeing him, the entire assembly, perceiving his supreme brilliance, immediately rose and offered him the great seat. The sage among the gods honored him with affection, and, seated comfortably, Śuka spoke: “Listen to my pure words.” Śrī Śuka declared: “The Bhāgavata is the ripened fruit of the wish-fulfilling tree of the Vedas, imbued with nectar flowing from the mouth of Śuka. O connoisseurs and sensitive souls on earth, repeatedly drink the essence of the Bhāgavata. “In this Śrīmad Bhāgavata, composed by the great sage, all deceitful religion is cast aside; it is meant for the pure-hearted, free from envy. The true, beneficial reality is revealed here, uprooting the threefold miseries. What need is there for other scriptures? Here, the Lord is immediately bound in the hearts of the sincere, eager to listen. “The Śrīmad Bhāgavata, the crest-jewel of Purāṇas, is the treasure of the Vaiṣṇavas; in it, the supreme, spotless knowledge of the paramahaṃsas is sung. Here, actionless knowledge, together with wisdom, detachment, and devotion, is revealed. By hearing, reciting, and deeply contemplating it with devotion, a person is liberated.