When the sacred recitation of the Bhāgavata Purāṇa comes to its end, certain auspicious rites are to be performed. First, there should be jubilant shouts of victory, words of reverence, and the triumphant sound of conch shells. Gifts of wealth and food ought to be distributed generously to brāhmaṇas and beggars, spreading joy and merit among all. If the listener is one who has renounced worldly ties, then the following day should be filled with singing and instrumental music. If, instead, the listener is a householder, a fire sacrifice should be conducted for the purification of all actions. For each verse of the Bhāgavata recited, one should offer, with proper method, sweet rice, honey, ghee, and sesame mixed with other ingredients—these offerings being especially important for the Tenth Canto. Alternatively, the fire offering may be performed with the Gāyatrī mantra, in 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 provide the necessary materials to others, so that the intended result is attained and all obstacles, deficiencies, or excesses are removed. To pacify any faults that may have occurred, one should recite the thousand names of the Lord, for by this, all becomes fruitful—nothing is greater than this. Thereafter, twelve brāhmaṇas should be fed with sweet rice and honey, and gifts of gold and a cow should be given to complete the vow. If one is able, a lion made of gold, weighing three palas, should be fashioned, and upon it, the sacred book, beautifully written, should be placed. The teacher—self-controlled and worthy of worship—should be honored with all proper offerings, beginning with an invitation and including all attendant rites, gifts, clothing, ornaments, fragrances, and the like. If a wise person gives the Purāṇa to the teacher in this way, he becomes freed from the bonds of worldly existence; by performing the prescribed rite, all sins are removed. This auspicious Purāṇa, the Śrīmad Bhāgavata, bestows all results—it is certainly the means for attaining righteousness, desire, wealth, and liberation. There is no doubt of this. The Kumāras then said, “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 continued: Having spoken thus, those great souls recited the Bhāgavata narrative, which destroys all sins, is full of merit, and bestows both enjoyment and liberation. For seven days, all beings with controlled minds listened as prescribed, and then they praised the Supreme Person, the foremost among the gods. At the conclusion, the power of knowledge, detachment, and devotion became supreme, and a youthful vigor arose, enchanting all living beings. Nārada, having fulfilled his purpose and heart’s desire, was overwhelmed with supreme bliss, his whole body thrilled with joy. Having attentively heard the narrative, Nārada—beloved of the Lord—joined his hands, his voice choked with love, and 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 thus spoke, Śuka, the lord of yogis and the eminent Vaiṣṇava, arrived there, wandering as he pleased. The sixteen-year-old son of Vyāsa, the moon of the great ocean of knowledge, appeared at the end of the discourse, fulfilled in his own attainment. With love, he began to recite the Bhāgavata, slowly and gently. Seeing him, the assembly perceived his supreme brilliance and immediately rose to offer him the great seat. The sage among the gods honored him with affection, and, comfortably seated, Śuka spoke: “Listen to my pure words.” He 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, drink again and again the essence of the Bhāgavata. In this work, 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, 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 Vyāsa, also called Bādarāyaṇa, was thus speaking in the assembly, Hari Himself appeared there, radiant and surrounded by Prahlāda, Bali, Uddhava, Arjuna, and others. The sage among the gods, Nārada, honored Hari and His companions. Seeing Hari, shining and seated on the exalted seat, they began to sing His praises. At the forefront, Śiva with Pārvatī, and Brahmā on his lotus seat, also arrived to witness the 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. There, 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 these words: “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 minds of the Vaiṣṇavas are 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. At this point, Śaunaka inquired, “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-yuga had advanced, on the ninth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhādrapada, Śuka began the narration. At the end of Parīkṣit’s hearing, two hundred years into Kali, on a pure and auspicious ninth day, Gokarṇa, born of a cow, recited the story. Then, when Kali had further advanced by thirty years, on the ninth day of the bright half of Kārtika, the sons of Brahmā recited it. Thus, O sinless one, I have described to you what you asked: the Bhāgavata story in Kali-yuga, which destroys the disease of worldly existence.