The wise and revered brahmins, having seen the newborn prince, spoke to King Yudhiṣṭhira with certainty and joy: “This child will be known throughout the world as Viṣṇurāta—one protected by Viṣṇu Himself. Have no doubt, O King, for he will be a great devotee and a noble soul.” Eagerly, Yudhiṣṭhira inquired, “Will this boy walk the virtuous path of our royal ancestors, the illustrious kings who are honored by the wise and the righteous?” The brahmins replied, “O son of Pṛthā, he will indeed be a true protector of his people, just as Ikṣvāku was among men. Like Rāma, son of Daśaratha, he will be devoted to the brahmins and ever truthful. He will be a generous giver and a refuge for all, like Śibi of the Auśīnara line, and he will spread the fame of his family, as Duṣyanta's son did among the sacrificers. Among archers, he will be foremost, equal to both Arjunas, unassailable like blazing fire, and as difficult to overcome as the vast ocean. “Valiant as a lion among beasts, steadfast as the mighty Himālaya, patient as the earth, and tolerant like his own parents—such will be his virtues. In impartiality, he will resemble his grandsire; in graciousness, he will be like Śiva; and he will be a refuge for all, just as the Lord is for Lakṣmī. Devoted to Krishna, he will possess every noble quality and greatness, as generous as Rantideva, as 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 faithfully. “He will be the progenitor of royal sages and the chastiser of those who stray from dharma. For the sake of righteousness, he will restrain the influence of Kali upon the earth. When he learns of his impending death from Takṣaka, sent by the sage’s son, he will renounce all worldly attachments and attain the abode of Hari. Yearning to know the true nature of the self, he will hear the teachings of Vyasa’s son and, leaving his body on the banks of the Ganga, O King, he will go directly, free from all fear. “Having thus instructed the king, the honored brahmins took their leave and returned to their homes. “This prince will be renowned as Parikshit, for he will scrutinize the world, reflecting on all he has seen. He will grow swiftly, like the waxing moon, daily nourished by his father, as if fed with pieces of sacred wood. “Desiring to perform a horse sacrifice to atone for offenses against his relatives, Yudhiṣṭhira, having obtained wealth, pondered means other than taxes and fines to gather resources. Perceiving his intent, his brothers, inspired by Achyuta, brought abundant wealth from the northern lands. With these resources, Yudhiṣṭhira, son of Dharma, performed three horse sacrifices, worshipping Hari with deep reverence and awe. “At the king’s invitation, the Lord Himself, after the king had been consecrated by the brahmins, stayed for several months out of affection for His friends. Then, with the king’s permission, Krishna departed for Dvaraka with His relatives, Arjuna, and the Yadus. “The childhood deed of Hari—the deliverance of His devotee—was witnessed by the boys of Vraja in their youth, and they spoke of it with wonder. But such marvels are not surprising for the Supreme Creator, who assumes human form for His divine play. Even Agha, whose sins were washed away by the Lord’s touch, attained a rare equality with the self, a state hardly reached by the wicked. “Indeed, one who but once places the Lord’s image within his mind attains 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, Yudhiṣṭhira, having heard of Krishna’s wondrous deeds, again questioned Suka, his mind absorbed in the sacred narrative: ‘O Brahman, how could the deeds performed by Hari in childhood be sung by the boys in their youth, when these events occurred at different times? O great yogi, O revered teacher, please explain this supreme wonder. Surely, this is the work of Hari’s māyā—there is no other explanation. We are truly the most fortunate in the world, O teacher, though we are kṣatriyas in name only, for we constantly drink the nectar of Krishna’s sacred stories from your lips.’ Śrī Sūta said, “Thus questioned, the son of Badarāyaṇa, whose senses were absorbed in the infinite heart, recollected the past. 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 inquired, I have recounted the playful incarnations and deeds of the Lord in full. Whoever, in distress or helplessness, loudly utters “obeisance to Hari,” is freed from all sin, whether fallen, stumbling, wounded, or lost. ‘When the infinite Lord is glorified—He whose power is realized through hearing—He enters the hearts of people and completely cleanses their suffering, just as the sun and a strong wind dispel darkness and clouds. ‘Empty words and false stories that 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. ‘Only that is delightful, charming, ever fresh and ever new; only that is the constant great festival of the mind; only that dries up the ocean of sorrow for people—when the glories of the Lord of excellent fame are sung. ‘Whatever speech, however ornate, that does not proclaim the fame of Hari, which sanctifies the world, is like a crow’s bathing place, not frequented by swans. Where Acyuta is present, there indeed are pure devotees. ‘That creation of speech, even if imperfect in meter, which contains the names and glories of the infinite Lord, washes away the sins of people; the virtuous listen to, sing, and recite it. ‘Even action free from desire, O Acyuta, and pure knowledge, without devotion to You, does not shine. How much less, then, do even the best works, if not offered to the Lord, bring lasting good? ‘All effort for fame and prosperity, whether through duties of caste and stage of life, austerity, or study, is supreme only when it brings unfailing remembrance of Śrīdhara’s lotus feet through hearing and praising the virtues of Hari with reverence. ‘Remembrance of Krishna’s lotus feet destroys all inauspiciousness and bestows well-being; it purifies the mind, brings supreme devotion to the indwelling Lord, and grants knowledge endowed with realization and detachment. ‘Truly, you foremost twice-born are greatly blessed, for you constantly worship Nārāyaṇa, the Lord of lords, the ruler, who is the soul of all beings, having fixed Him steadily in your hearts. ‘And I too have been reminded of the truth of the Self, which I heard long ago from the lips of the supreme sage, when King Parikshit was observing his fast, in the presence of the great sages and seers.