O wise one, let me recount the wondrous tale as revealed in the sacred verses. To those whose minds are firmly fixed on Mukunda—the Supreme Lord—even the desires coveted by the gods hold little value. Just as various pleasures bring joy to a hungry king, so did these delights bring happiness to those devoted to Him. O descendant of Bhrigu, while still nestled within his mother's womb, the heroic child Parikshit witnessed a remarkable event. As the fiery energy of a weapon threatened him, he beheld a certain Person. This Person appeared before him in an immaculate form, no larger than a thumb, radiant and crowned with a golden diadem. His complexion was dark, wondrous to behold, and he was clad in yellow garments—the infallible One. This resplendent figure had four long arms, adorned with blazing golden earrings, and blood-red eyes. He wielded a mace, moving all around the child in every direction, whirling the mace again and again like a blazing meteor. With his own mace, he dispelled the weapon’s fiery energy, just as the lord of cows disperses mist. The child watched closely, wondering, “Who is this?” After removing the danger, the immeasurable Lord—the protector of righteousness and the all-pervading One—vanished before the child’s very eyes at the completion of ten months. When all auspicious qualities had arisen and the planets were favorable, the bearer of the Pāṇḍu line was born anew, endowed with the strength of Pāṇḍu himself. The king, his heart overflowing with joy, had the child’s birth chart prepared by the Brahmins—Dhaumya, Kṛpa, and others—and performed auspicious rites. Knowing the sacred duties, the king gave gold, cows, land, villages, elephants, horses, and excellent food to the Brahmins at the holy site of birth. The satisfied Brahmins addressed the humble king: “O foremost of the Puru dynasty, in this line of yours, he is the one.” They continued, “By the irresistible will of fate, when the white hair ascends to its end, he has been sent for your blessing by Viṣṇu, the all-powerful Lord. Therefore, he will be renowned in the world as Viṣṇurāta—protected by Viṣṇu. There is no doubt; he will be a great devotee, a great soul.” Yudhiṣṭhira then asked, “Will this child follow the virtuous path of the royal sages of our line—the illustrious and noble ones, praised by the good and the wise?” The Brahmins replied, “O son of Pṛthā, he will be a true protector of the people, like Ikṣvāku among men, devoted to the Brahmins and truthful, like Rāma, son of Daśaratha. He will be a generous giver and a refuge, like Śibi of the Auśīnara line; he will spread the fame of his kin, like Duṣyanta’s son among the sacrificers. He will be foremost among archers, equal to both Arjunas; unassailable like fire, and difficult to cross like the ocean. Valiant like a lion among beasts, steadfast like the Himālaya, patient like the earth, and tolerant like his parents. Equal to his grandsire in impartiality, like Śiva in graciousness, a refuge for all beings, as the Lord is for Lakṣmī. He is devoted to Krishna, possesses all noble qualities and greatness; as generous as Rantideva and as righteous as Yayati. In steadfastness he is like Bali; in devotion to Krishna, like Prahlada; he will perform horse sacrifices and serve the elders. He will be the progenitor of royal sages and the chastiser of those who stray from the path; for the sake of dharma, he will restrain Kali on earth. Hearing of his impending death from Takshaka, sent by the sage’s son, he will renounce all attachment and attain the abode of Hari. Desiring to know the true nature of the self, he will hear from the sage, Vyasa’s son, and, leaving his body on the Ganga, O King, he will go directly, free from fear.” Having thus instructed the king, all the learned Brahmins, honored as they were, returned to their homes. The child came to be known as Parikshit, for he would examine men in this world, reflecting on what he had seen before. That prince grew quickly, like the waxing moon, nourished daily by his father as with pieces of wood. Desiring to perform a horse sacrifice to atone for the offense against his relatives, the king, having obtained wealth, pondered other means than taxes and fines. Perceiving his intention, his brothers, prompted by Achyuta, brought abundant wealth from the northern direction. With these resources, Yudhishthira, son of Dharma, performed three horse sacrifices, worshipping Hari with great fear and reverence. Invited by the king, the Lord, after the king was consecrated by the Brahmins, stayed for some months out of affection for his friends. Then, permitted by the king, Krishna, together with his relatives, departed for Dvaraka, accompanied by Arjuna and the Yadus. This childhood deed of Hari—the deliverance of his devotee—was witnessed by the boys in Vraja during their youth, and they spoke of it in wonder. This is not surprising for the Supreme Creator, who assumes human form for his pastimes. Even Agha, whose sins were washed away by the Lord’s touch, attained equality with the self, which is extremely rare for the wicked. He who but once placed the image of the Lord within his mind attained the supreme path of devotion. What then of one who, free from illusion, constantly experiences the bliss of the eternal self? Sūta continued: Thus, O twice-born, Yudhishthira, having heard the wondrous deeds of Krishna, again asked Suka, his mind absorbed in that sacred narrative. The king said: “O Brahman, how could that which was done by Hari in childhood be sung by the boys in their youth, when it happened in a different time? O great yogi, O revered teacher, please tell me this supreme wonder; surely, this is nothing but the work of Hari’s māyā—there is no other explanation. We are the most fortunate in the world, O teacher, though we are but kṣatriyas in name, for we constantly drink from you the nectar of Krishna’s sacred stories.” Śrī Sūta said: Thus questioned, the son of Badarāyaṇa, whose senses were absorbed in the infinite heart, was reminded; regaining his outward vision with effort, he slowly replied to that foremost devotee of the Bhāgavata. “O best of the twice-born, as you have asked me here, I have recounted in full the playful incarnations and deeds of the Lord.