Sūta continued his narration: Upon hearing Bhakti’s words, the assembled sages were filled with wonder. Bhakti, radiant and gentle, spoke again, addressing Śaunaka, “Let me share further, O Śaunaka, so that you may hear.” Bhakti said, “O sage among the gods, you are truly blessed. By my good fortune, you have come here. In this world, the sight of the virtuous bestows every perfection.” She then offered praises: “Victory, victory to him whose body is the very basis of illusion, who, by a single utterance, creates all speech! By his grace, Dhruva attained the eternal state. I bow to the son of Brahmā, the vessel of all auspiciousness.” As the second chapter opened, the glory of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam was proclaimed. Nārada, ever compassionate, sought to relieve Bhakti’s distress. He spoke gently, “Child, why do you grieve in vain, so troubled by anxiety? Remember the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa—your sorrow will depart.” Nārada recalled, “It was he who rescued Draupadī from her calamity among the Kauravas and protected the cowherd women. Where has that Kṛṣṇa gone now?” He reassured Bhakti, “But you, Bhakti, are always dearer to him than life itself. When you call, the Lord comes even to the houses of the lowly.” Nārada explained further, “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.” He continued, “Thus, having decided, the Conscious One created you, who are of the same nature, as a beautiful form of supreme bliss, beloved of Kṛṣṇa.” Nārada remembered, “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, you manifest a shadow-form to nourish devotees.” “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 continued: Hearing Nārada’s words, Bhakti, endowed with all auspiciousness, spoke to him, “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 described how, hearing her plea, Nārada was filled with compassion. He began to awaken Jñāna and Vairāgya, gently rubbing them with his fingertips. Placing his mouth near their ears, he called out loudly, “O Jñāna, awaken quickly! O Vairāgya, awaken!” With repeated recitations of the Vedas, Vedānta, and the Gītā, he tried to awaken them. With effort, they somehow rose. But both, unable to open their eyes, yawned, weak as herons, their bodies gray and withered like dry wood. Seeing them 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.” “For this purpose, O sage among the gods, perform virtuous deeds. The noble ones, adorned with virtue, will declare your action.” “When that virtuous act is performed, sleep and old age in those two will depart at once, and devotion will spread everywhere.” The clear voice from the sky was heard by all, and Nārada was amazed, saying, “This was not known to me.” He wondered aloud, “Even by this celestial speech, the matter is kept secret. What is that means, what action must be done, by which their purpose may be fulfilled?” “Where will the virtuous ones be found, how will they give the means? What must I do here, as spoken by the voice from the sky?” Sūta concluded: Having settled Jñāna and Vairāgya there, the sage Nārada departed, journeying from one holy place to another, asking the great sages along the way for guidance.