For those who are poor in material wealth but rich in devotion, there is usually no strict requirement for elaborate concluding rites; such desireless Vaiṣṇavas are purified simply by hearing the sacred narrative. When the sacrifice of telling the story is completed, the listeners are to worship both the book and the speaker with heartfelt devotion. Afterwards, garlands of sacred basil are distributed among the audience, and melodious kīrtana resounds, accompanied by the mṛdaṅga and cymbals. One should arrange for joyous shouts of victory, words of reverence, and the sounding of conch shells to fill the air. Generosity is encouraged: wealth and food are to be given to brāhmaṇas and beggars alike. If the listener is detached from worldly affairs, singing and instrumental music should be performed the next day; if a householder, a fire sacrifice is recommended for the purification of actions. For each verse recited, offerings are made in the proper manner—sweet rice, honey, ghee, and sesame mixed with other ingredients, especially when reading from the Tenth Canto. Alternatively, a 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 one is unable to perform the fire offering, a wise person may give the necessary materials to others, so that its result is attained and obstacles or deficiencies are removed. To pacify any faults, the thousand names of the Lord should be recited, for nothing is greater than this; by such recitation, all efforts bear fruit. Afterwards, twelve brāhmaṇas are to be fed with sweet rice and honey, and gold and a cow are given to complete the vow. If possible, a lion made of gold, weighing three palas, should be crafted, and there the book, written in beautiful script, should be placed. The teacher, who is self-controlled and worthy of worship, is to be honored with proper offerings, beginning with invitation and including all attendant rites, gifts, clothing, ornaments, fragrances, and more. If a wise person gives this to the teacher, he is freed from the bonds of worldly existence; thus, 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 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 reached its peak, 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. Having attentively heard the narrative, 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 the eminent Vaiṣṇava Nārada spoke thus, Śuka, the lord of yogis, arrived there, wandering freely. At that time, the sixteen-year-old son of Vyāsa, the moon of the great ocean of knowledge, entered; 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 assembly perceived his supreme brilliance and immediately rose, offering him the great seat. The sage among the gods honored him with affection, and, seated comfortably, he spoke: “Listen to my pure words.” Śuka said: “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. “In heaven, in Satya-loka, on Kailāsa, or in Vaikuṇṭha, this taste is not found; therefore, O fortunate ones, always drink it—never let it go.” Sūta continued: As Bādarāyaṇa (Vyāsa) was thus speaking in the assembly, Hari appeared there, surrounded by Prahlāda, Bali, Uddhava, Arjuna, and others; the sage among the gods (Nārada) honored him and his companions. Seeing Hari, radiant and seated on the exalted seat, they began to sing his praises at the forefront. Then Śiva with Pārvatī, and Brahmā on his lotus seat, also arrived to witness this glorification. Prahlāda held cymbals, Uddhava played the bell with lively movement, Nārada took up the vīṇā, skilled in melody, and Arjuna became the leader of the tune; Indra played the mṛdaṅga, exclaiming, “Victory! Victory! How skillful you are, O Kumāras, in this praise!” At the front, Vyāsa’s son (Śuka) recited with flowing composition. In the midst, Hari, Śiva, and Brahmā danced together, shining like actors among the most radiant devotees. Witnessing this extraordinary glorification, Hari, though pleased, spoke: “Ask from me a boon, according to your heart’s devotion; I am pleased by your narration and praise at this very moment.” Hearing these words, they, deeply moved with love, joyfully addressed Hari: “In all the songs of the mountains and serpents, and by all devotees, may you be remembered with effort—this is our wish, which must be fulfilled.” Saying, “So be it,” Acyuta disappeared. Then Nārada bowed at his feet, as did Śuka and the other ascetics. Rejoicing, their delusion dispelled, all departed, having drunk the nectar of the divine story. That devotion, protected along with his sons, was preserved by Śuka even in his own scripture. Thus, by serving the Bhāgavata, the mind of the Vaiṣṇavas is drawn to Hari. For those afflicted by poverty, suffering, and fever, crushed by the demon of illusion, cast into the ocean of worldly existence—the Bhāgavata resounds for their well-being. Śaunaka then asked: “When did Śuka speak to the king? When did Gokarṇa speak again? When did the sage among the gods speak to the Brāhmaṇas? Please dispel this doubt of mine.” Sūta replied: “Thirty years after Kṛṣṇa’s departure, when Kali had advanced, on the ninth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhādrapada, Śuka began the narration.