As the second chapter of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam unfolds, its profound glory is revealed through a moving scene: the sage Nārada approaches the personified form of Bhakti, who is weighed down by sorrow and anxiety. With gentle compassion, Nārada addresses her, “Child, why do you grieve in vain, so troubled by anxiety? Remember the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa—your sorrow will depart.” Bhakti, in her distress, wonders aloud: “Where is that Kṛṣṇa now, the one who rescued Draupadī from the Kauravas’ humiliation and protected the cowherd women from danger?” Nārada reassures her, “But you, Bhakti, are always dearer to him than life itself. Whenever you call, the Lord himself comes, even to the humblest homes.” He explains that in the first three ages—Kṛta, Tretā, and Dvāpara—liberation is attained through truth, knowledge, and detachment. But in this age of Kali, only Bhakti, devotion, grants union with Brahman. Thus, the Supreme Consciousness created Bhakti herself, of the same divine nature, as a beautiful embodiment of supreme bliss—beloved of Kṛṣṇa. Nārada recalls how, with folded hands, Bhakti once asked Kṛṣṇa, “What shall I do?” Kṛṣṇa instructed her, “Nourish my devotees.” Accepting this command, Bhakti pleased Hari, who then gave her Mukti—liberation—as a maidservant, and also entrusted her with Jñāna (knowledge) and Vairāgya (renunciation). In Vaikuṇṭha, Bhakti nourishes the devotees by her own true form; on earth, to sustain the devotees, she manifests as a shadow-form. With Mukti, Jñāna, and Vairāgya, she descended to earth, and from the age of Kṛta through to the end of Dvāpara, they all dwelled here in great joy. But as Kali Yuga dawned, Mukti was afflicted by heresy and vanished, returning to Vaikuṇṭha at Bhakti’s command. Liberation comes and goes in this world as Bhakti remembers, while Jñāna and Vairāgya, whom she had made her sons, remained protected at her side. Yet, in this age of Kali, through neglect, her two sons had grown weak and aged. Nārada consoles her, “Do not worry—I will find a way.” He declares, “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 even during great festivals, I will not serve Hari nor spread you in the world—but those accompanied by you in Kali, even if sinful, will approach Krishna’s temple without fear.” “For those whose hearts are always filled with love in the form of devotion, no impure being can harm them—not even in dreams. Neither ghosts, spirits, nor demons, not even asuras, can overpower one whose mind is endowed with devotion—not even by touch. Hari is not attained by austerities, nor by the Vedas, nor by knowledge or actions—only through devotion. The gopīs themselves are proof of this.” “After thousands of human births, love for devotion arises; but in Kali, devotion alone is enough—by devotion, Krishna stands before you. Those hostile to devotion sink in all three worlds; even Durvāsā suffered misery for insulting a devotee. Enough of vows, pilgrimages, yogas, sacrifices, and discussions of knowledge—devotion alone grants liberation.” At this, Sūta, the narrator, says that Bhakti, having heard Nārada reveal her true nature, spoke to him, her voice filled with auspiciousness: “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. But my two sons lack consciousness—therefore, awaken them, awaken them.” Moved by her plea, Nārada, filled with compassion, began to awaken Jñāna and Vairāgya, rubbing them gently with his fingertips. Placing his mouth near their ears, he called out loudly, “O Jñāna, awaken quickly! O Vairāgya, awaken!” He recited the Vedas, Vedānta, and the Gītā repeatedly, striving to rouse them. With great effort, they stirred, but their eyes barely opened; they yawned weakly, appearing frail and withered like dry wood, their bodies gray and emaciated by hunger, soon slipping back into sleep. Seeing their condition, Nārada grew thoughtful, pondering, “How does such sleep and old age come to them?” Absorbed in contemplation, he began to recall Govinda, the Supreme Lord. At that very moment, a voice resounded from the sky: “O sage, do not be distressed. Your effort will bear fruit; there is no doubt. For this purpose, perform virtuous deeds. The noble and virtuous will declare your action. When that virtuous act is performed, sleep and old age will depart from those two at once, and devotion will spread everywhere.” All who were present heard this clear voice from the sky, and Nārada was amazed, admitting, “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, and how will they give the means? What must I do here, as spoken by the voice from the sky?” Sūta continues: Having settled Jñāna and Vairāgya where they were, Nārada set out, traveling from one holy place to another, seeking the great sages and asking them for guidance. The tale was heard by all, but after much deliberation, none could answer. Some said it was impossible, others found it too difficult to comprehend; some fell silent, and a few even fled. A great commotion arose throughout the three worlds, a wonder awakened by the proclamations of the Vedas, Vedānta, and recitations of the Gītā. Yet, when the triad of devotion, knowledge, and detachment did not arise, people whispered from ear to ear, “There is no other means.” Thus, the search for the restoration of Bhakti’s sons and the spread of true devotion began to stir the hearts of all beings.