O descendant of Bhrigu, hear now the wondrous story of Parikshit, the heroic child of the Pāṇḍu line. Even while he was yet within his mother Uttara’s womb, a fearful calamity befell him. As a terrible weapon blazed forth, seeking to consume him, the child beheld a most extraordinary Person. Within the womb, Parikshit saw a radiant, immaculate form, no larger than a thumb, shining brilliantly. This Person wore a crown of gold, His complexion was dark and beautiful, and He was clad in yellow garments. He was the infallible Lord, wondrous to behold. With four long arms, adorned with blazing golden earrings and eyes red as blood, the Lord held a mace in His hand. He moved all around the child, whirling His mace again and again, like a blazing meteor, protecting him on every side. With that very mace, the Lord dispersed the fiery energy of the weapon, just as the Lord of cows disperses the morning mist. The child watched, filled with wonder, asking himself, “Who is this?” Then, having removed the danger, the immeasurable Lord—the protector of righteousness and the all-pervading One—vanished from before the child’s eyes at the end of ten months. When all auspicious signs appeared and the planets were favorable, the child of the Pāṇḍu line was born again into the world, endowed with the very strength of Pāṇḍu himself. King Yudhishthira, overjoyed, called the learned Brahmins—Dhaumya, Kripa, and others—to cast the child’s birth chart and perform all the auspicious rites. Knowing well the sacred duties, the king gave abundant gifts at the holy birth site: gold, cows, land, villages, elephants, horses, and excellent food to the Brahmins. Pleased and honored, the Brahmins spoke to the humble king: “O foremost of the Puru dynasty, in your line, this child is the one. By the irresistible will of fate, when the white hair of your dynasty was nearing its end, he has been sent as a blessing by Viṣṇu, the all-powerful Lord. Therefore, he will be renowned in the world as Viṣṇurāta, the one protected by Viṣṇu. Without doubt, he will be a great devotee and a great soul.” Yudhishthira then asked, “Will this child follow the virtuous path of our royal sages—those illustrious and noble ones, praised by the good and wise?” The Brahmins replied, “O son of Pṛthā, he will be a true protector of the people, like Ikṣvāku among men, devoted to Brahmins and ever truthful, like Rāma, son of Daśaratha. He will be generous and a refuge, like Śibi of the Auśīnara line, and will spread the fame of his kin, like Duṣyanta’s son among 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 as his parents. In impartiality, he will be like his grandsire; in graciousness, like Śiva; a refuge for all beings, as the Lord is for Lakṣmī. Devoted to Krishna, he will possess all noble qualities and greatness—generous as Rantideva, righteous as Yayati. In steadfastness, he will be like Bali; in devotion to Krishna, like Prahlada; he will perform horse sacrifices and serve his elders. He will be the progenitor of royal sages and chastiser of those who stray from the path; for the sake of dharma, he will restrain Kali on earth. When he learns of his impending death from Takṣaka, sent by the sage’s son, he will renounce all attachment and attain the abode of Hari. Seeking to know the true nature of the self, he will hear from the sage, Vyāsa’s son, and, leaving his body on the banks of the Ganga, O King, he will go directly, free from fear.” Having thus instructed the king, the honored Brahmins returned to their homes. The child became known as Parikshit—for he would examine all men in this world, reflecting on what he had seen before his birth. As the days passed, the prince grew quickly, like the waxing moon, nourished daily by his father as with offerings to a sacred fire. Desiring to perform a horse sacrifice to atone for the offense against his relatives, King Yudhishthira, having obtained wealth, pondered how to do so without burdening his subjects with taxes or fines. Perceiving his intent, his brothers, prompted by Achyuta (Krishna), brought abundant wealth from the northern direction. With these resources, Yudhishthira, son of Dharma, performed three horse sacrifices, worshipping Hari with great reverence and awe. Invited by the king, the Lord Himself, after the king’s consecration by the Brahmins, remained for several months out of affection for His friends. Then, with the king’s permission, Krishna departed for Dvaraka, accompanied by His relatives and by Arjuna and the Yadus. The childhood deed of Hari—the deliverance of His devotee Parikshit—was spoken of in wonder by the boys of Vraja during their youth, though it had happened in a different time. 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—a rare fate for the wicked. He who but once places the image of the Lord in his mind attains the supreme path of devotion. What then of one who, free from illusion, constantly experiences the bliss of the eternal self? Thus, O twice-born, Yudhishthira, hearing these wondrous deeds of Krishna, again questioned Suka, his mind absorbed in that sacred narrative. He asked, “O Brahman, how could the boys in Vraja sing of Hari’s childhood deed in their youth, when it happened in a different time? O great yogi, O revered teacher, please tell me this supreme wonder; surely, it is nothing but the work of Hari’s māyā—there is no other explanation. We are 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, recollected himself; 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. Whether one is fallen, stumbling, distressed, wounded, or helpless, whoever loudly utters, “Obeisance to Hari!” is freed from all sin.