If a wise person finds themselves unable to perform the sacred fire offering, they should give its materials to others, so that its intended result may still be attained. This act helps remove obstacles and correct deficiencies or excesses that may arise. To pacify faults, one should recite the thousand names of the Lord; for nothing is greater than this, and through such recitation, all endeavors become fruitful. Afterwards, it is prescribed to feed twelve brāhmaṇas with sweet rice and honey, and to give gold and a cow, thus completing the vow. If one is able, a golden lion weighing three palas should be crafted, and upon it, the sacred book—written in beautiful script—should be placed. The teacher, who is self-controlled and worthy of worship, must be honored with proper offerings, beginning with an invitation and including all attendant rites, gifts, clothing, ornaments, fragrances, and more. When a wise person gives this to the teacher, the bonds of worldly existence are broken, and by performing these prescribed rites, all sins are removed. The auspicious Purāṇa, Śrīmad Bhāgavata, bestows its results unfailingly—there is no doubt that through it, one attains righteousness, desire, wealth, and liberation. The Kumāras then declared, “All has been told to you; what more do you wish to hear? The Śrīmad Bhāgavata itself grants both enjoyment and liberation.” Sūta narrated that, having spoken thus, those great souls recited the Bhāgavata narrative—a tale that destroys all sins, brings merit, 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 foremost among gods. When the narration concluded, the strength of knowledge, detachment, and devotion became supreme; a youthful vigor arose, enchanting all beings. Nārada, having achieved his purpose and fulfilled his desire, became overwhelmed with supreme bliss—his entire body thrilled. Attentively hearing the narrative, Nārada, beloved of the Lord, with hands joined and voice choked with love, addressed the assembly: “I am blessed, 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—wandering freely. At that time, Vyāsa’s sixteen-year-old son, the moon of the great ocean of knowledge, came at the end of the discourse. Fulfilled in his own attainment, he began to recite the Bhāgavata with love, slowly and gently. The assembly, perceiving Śuka’s 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. The Bhāgavata is the ripened fruit of the wish-fulfilling tree of the Vedas, imbued with nectar flowing from my mouth. O connoisseurs and sensitive souls on earth, repeatedly drink the essence of the Bhāgavata.” He continued, “Here, in the 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 then described how, as Bādarāyaṇa (Vyāsa) spoke in the assembly, Hari himself appeared, surrounded by Prahlāda, Bali, Uddhava, Arjuna, and others. Nārada honored Hari and his companions. Seeing Hari, radiant and seated on the exalted seat, the assembly began to sing his praises. Śiva with Pārvatī, and Brahmā on his lotus seat, also arrived to witness the glorification. Prahlāda played cymbals, Uddhava rang 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, Śuka recited the Bhāgavata with flowing composition. In the midst, Hari, Śiva, and Brahmā danced together, shining like actors among 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.” Deeply moved with love, they 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. 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. At the end of Parīkṣit’s hearing, in Kali, after two hundred years had passed, 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, which destroys the disease of worldly existence.” This narration, dear to Kṛṣṇa, destroys all sins, is the sole cause of liberation, and brings forth the play of devotion. Let the virtuous drink this tale with reverence—what need is there for pilgrimage or ritual service in this world? Even when seeing his own servant holding the noose, Yama is said to whisper in his ear: “Avoid those intoxicated by the stories of the Lord; I am the master of others’ anger, but not of the Vaiṣṇavas.” In this insubstantial world, where minds are troubled by the poison of sense-objects, drink, even for half a moment, the nectar-like verses of Śuka for your welfare. Why wander uselessly on the wrong path, listening to base stories, when Parīkṣit himself witnessed the narration that grants liberation upon hearing? The story spoken by Śuka, flowing with the stream of rasa, binds to the throat the one who recites it—and he becomes the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha.