In the aftermath of a great calamity, a divine being appeared before the child of the Pāṇḍu dynasty. Resplendent in form, he possessed four long arms and was adorned with blazing golden earrings. His eyes were blood-red, and in his hands he held a mighty mace. Moving all around the child in every direction, he whirled the mace again and again, its brilliance like that of a blazing meteor. With his own mace, the divine protector dispelled the fiery energy of the threatening weapon, just as the lord of cows disperses mist. The child watched closely, his mind filled with wonder, pondering, “Who is this?” Having removed the danger, the immeasurable Lord—the protector of righteousness and the all-pervading One—vanished before the child’s very eyes, at the end of ten months. Thereafter, when all auspicious qualities had arisen and the planets were favorable, the heir of the Pāṇḍu line was born anew, endowed with the strength of Pāṇḍu himself. The king, filled with joy, summoned the Brahmins—Dhaumya, Kṛpa, and others—to cast the child’s birth chart and perform 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. Satisfied, the 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 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. Devoted to Krishna, he 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, the learned Brahmins, honored as they were, returned to their own homes. The child became renowned as Parikshit, for he, reflecting on what he had seen before, would examine men in this world. 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 departed for Dvaraka with his relatives, 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. Such marvels are not surprising for the Supreme Creator, who assumes human form for his pastimes; even Agha, whose sins were washed away by his 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 said: 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. Whether fallen, stumbling, distressed, cut, or helpless, whoever loudly utters ‘obeisance to Hari’ is freed from all sin. When the infinite Lord is glorified, whose power is realized through hearing, He enters the heart of people and completely cleanses their suffering, just as the sun and a strong wind dispel darkness and clouds. Empty words and false stories, which do not speak of the transcendent Lord, are not to be told; only that is truth, only that is auspicious, only that is holy, which brings forth the Lord’s virtues.