In the age of Kali, even those who commit the most terrible and abundant deeds—atheistic and hellish people—can be found residing in holy places. Yet, the true essence of those sacred sites has vanished. Similarly, those whose minds are agitated by overwhelming desire, anger, greed, and thirst may still engage in austerities, but the real spirit of austerity is lost among them. Because the mind is defeated—overcome by greed, hypocrisy, heresy, and even by mere study of scripture—the fruits of meditation and yoga slip away. Learned men, though delighted with their wives and skilled in producing sons, are like buffaloes, unable to attain liberation. Nowhere is true Vaiṣṇavism to be found, not even among the leaders of spiritual traditions. The essence of reality has perished everywhere. But this is simply the nature of the age; who can be blamed? The Lotus-eyed Lord, enduring and compassionate, stands nearby, witnessing all. Sūta then spoke: Hearing these words, the assembly was filled with wonder. Bhakti herself spoke again: “Let this too be heard, O Śaunaka.” Bhakti said, “O sage among the gods, you are truly blessed, for you have come here by my good fortune. The sight of virtuous souls in this world bestows every perfection. Victory, victory to him whose 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.” Thus begins the second chapter, celebrating the glory of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam and narrating Nārada’s effort to relieve Bhakti’s distress. Nārada addressed Bhakti: “Child, why do you grieve in vain, troubled by anxiety? Remember the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa—your sorrow will depart. It was He who rescued Draupadī from the calamity of the Kauravas and protected the cowherd women. Where has that Kṛṣṇa gone now?” “But you, Bhakti, are always dearer to Him than life itself. When you call, the Lord comes even to the homes of the lowly. In the first three ages, truth and knowledge, along with detachment, are the means to liberation; but in Kali, only Bhakti grants union with Brahman. Thus, the Conscious One created you, who are of the same nature, as 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. In Vaikuṇṭha, you nourish by your own form; on earth, to nourish devotees, you manifest a shadow-form. With Mukti, Jñāna, and Vairāgya, you came to earth and remained in great joy until the end of Dvāpara, beginning from Kṛta.” “In Kali, Mukti was destroyed, afflicted by heresy; by your command, she quickly returned again to Vaikuṇṭha. Liberation comes and goes here as you remember, and these two, made your sons by you, 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 that 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. 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.” “Neither by austerities, nor by the Vedas, nor by knowledge or actions, is Hari attained—only by devotion; the gopīs are the proof of this. After thousands of human births, love for devotion arises; in Kali, devotion, devotion—by devotion, Krishna stands before you. Those who are hostile to devotion sink in all three worlds; once, Durvāsā suffered misery for insulting a devotee. Enough of vows, enough of pilgrimages, enough of yogas, enough of sacrifices, enough of discussions on knowledge—devotion alone grants liberation.” Sūta said: Hearing thus the true nature of herself as determined by Nārada, Bhakti, endowed with all auspiciousness, spoke to Nārada. Bhakti said, “O Nārada, how blessed you are! Your love for me is unwavering. I will never leave you; I will always remain in your heart. O compassionate sage, by you my affliction was destroyed in an instant. My two sons lack consciousness—therefore, awaken them, awaken them.” Sūta continued: Hearing her words, Nārada was filled with compassion and began to awaken the two, rubbing them gently with his fingertips. Placing his mouth near their ears, he loudly uttered, “O Jñāna, awaken quickly! O Vairāgya, awaken!” With repeated recitations of the Vedas, Vedānta, and the Gītā, he tried to awaken them, and with effort, they somehow rose. Both, unable to open their eyes, yawned, weak as herons, their bodies gray and withered like dry wood. Seeing those two, emaciated by hunger and again absorbed in sleep, the sage became thoughtful, pondering what should be done. He wondered, “Ah, how does sleep come, and how does such old age arise?” Contemplating thus, Bhārgava began to recall Govinda. At that very moment, a voice from the sky spoke: “O sage, do not be distressed. Your effort will bear fruit; there is no doubt.