In these troubled times, people have become much like the demon Aghāsura, engaging in deceitful and wicked acts. The virtuous are left distressed, while those who act unrighteously seem to rejoice. Yet, amidst such turmoil, the truly wise person is the one who remains steadfast and courageous, holding firm to knowledge and integrity. The earth itself, witnessing the rise of such untouchables, feels burdened by their presence. Year after year, auspiciousness fades, and there is little sign of goodness left. No longer does anyone see you—neglected and aged—together with your sons, forgotten by those blinded by attachment. Reduced to a state of decrepitude, you are overlooked by all. Yet, when you were united with Vṛndāvana, youth and freshness returned to you. Blessed indeed is Vṛndāvana, that sacred place where devotion itself dances in joy. But now, in your absence, even old age refuses to leave you and your sons, for there are none left to receive your blessings. With just a little self-contentment, you find a semblance of rest. Then, Devotion herself spoke: “How did the impure Kali age come to be established by King Parīkṣit? With the onset of Kali, where did the very essence of virtue go? Even the compassionate Lord Hari seems to witness unrighteousness—how can this be? Please, remove this doubt from my heart with your words, so that I may find peace.” Nārada answered gently, “Since you have asked, child, listen carefully with affection. I will tell you everything, O fortunate one, and your confusion will be dispelled. When Mukunda, the Lord, departed from the earth and returned to His own abode, from that very day Kali entered, obstructing all the pathways to virtue. During his conquests, King Parīkṣit encountered Kali, who, miserable and desperate, sought refuge from the king. Parīkṣit did not kill him, sparing him as a honey-gatherer spares a bee. In this age of Kali, the result that cannot be attained by austerity, yoga, or meditation is fully granted simply by praising Keśava. Seeing Kali as uniform, devoid of any true essence or substance, King Viṣṇurāta established him for the happiness of those born in this age. Yet, because of evil deeds, the very essence has now departed from everywhere; things remain on earth like empty husks, stripped of their seed. The brāhmaṇas once made the teachings of the Bhāgavata known in every home and to every person, but because of their greed for payment, the true spirit of these stories has vanished. Even those who perform terrible and abundant deeds—atheistic, hellish people—may dwell at holy places, but the sanctity of those places has left. Likewise, those whose minds are agitated by great desire, anger, greed, and thirst may still engage in austerity, but the true essence of austerity is lost. Defeated by the mind, overcome by greed, hypocrisy, and heresy, and even through mere study of the scriptures, the fruits of meditation and yoga are lost. The learned take pleasure with their wives, skillful in producing sons like buffaloes, but unskilled in attaining liberation. Nowhere is true Vaiṣṇavism found, not even among the leaders of spiritual traditions; thus, the essence of reality has perished everywhere. Yet, this is simply the nature of the age—who can be blamed? Therefore, the Lotus-eyed Lord endures, standing nearby, ever patient. Sūta then said, “Hearing these words, the listeners were filled with great wonder. Bhakti spoke again, saying, ‘Let this, too, be heard, O Śaunaka. O sage among the gods, you are truly blessed, for you have come here by my good fortune. The sight of the virtuous in this world bestows all perfections. Victory, victory to Him whose very body is the basis of illusion, who creates all speech with a single utterance! By His grace, Dhruva attained the eternal state. I bow to the son of Brahmā, the vessel of all auspiciousness.’” Now begins the second chapter, extolling the glory of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam and Nārada’s effort to remove Bhakti’s distress. Nārada said, “Child, why do you grieve in vain, so troubled by anxiety? Remember the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa—your sorrow will depart. Was it not He who rescued Draupadī from her calamity among the Kauravas, and who protected the cowherd women? Where has that Kṛṣṇa gone now? But you, Bhakti, are always dearer to Him than life itself. Whenever you call, the Lord comes, even to the houses of the lowly. In the first three ages, truth and knowledge, together with detachment, are the means to liberation; but in Kali, only Bhakti grants union with Brahman. Thus, the Conscious One, having decided, created you—of the same nature as Himself—a beautiful form of supreme bliss, beloved of Kṛṣṇa. With folded hands, you once asked, ‘What shall I do?’ Then Kṛṣṇa instructed you: ‘Nourish my devotees.’ You accepted that command, and Hari was pleased. He gave you Mukti as a maidservant, and these two—Jñāna and Vairāgya—as your companions. In Vaikuṇṭha, you nourish devotees by your own form; on earth, you manifest a shadow-form to nourish them here. With Mukti, Jñāna, and Vairāgya, you came to earth and remained in great joy from the beginning of Kṛta until the end of Dvāpara. But in Kali, Mukti was destroyed, afflicted by heresy; at your command, she quickly returned to Vaikuṇṭha. Liberation comes and goes here as you remember, and these two, made your sons, are protected at your own side. Because of neglect, your two sons have become weak and old in this age of Kali; yet do not worry—I will think of a way. O beautiful one, there is no age like Kali; in this age, I will establish you in every home, among all people. Setting aside other duties and giving priority to great festivals, at that time, I will not serve Hari, nor will I spread you in the world. But those living beings who are accompanied by you in this Kali age—even if sinful—will go without fear to Krishna’s temple. For those whose hearts are always filled with devotion in the form of love, impure beings cannot harm them, not even in dreams. Neither ghosts, nor spirits, nor demons, nor even asuras, can overpower those whose minds are endowed with devotion, even by touch.