Parīkṣit, the royal child, was blessed with remarkable qualities. He was valiant like a lion among beasts, steadfast and immovable like the Himālaya mountains, patient as the earth itself, and as tolerant as his own parents. In impartiality, he matched his grandsire, and in graciousness, he resembled Lord Śiva. He was a refuge for all beings, just as the Lord is for Lakṣmī. Devoted to Krishna, Parīkṣit possessed every noble quality and greatness. His generosity was like that of Rantideva, and his righteousness was equal to Yayati. In steadfastness, he was like Bali; in devotion to Krishna, he was like Prahlāda. He would perform horse sacrifices and serve his elders with reverence. He was destined to become the progenitor of royal sages, a chastiser of those who strayed from righteousness, and, for the sake of dharma, he would restrain the influence of Kali on earth. When he would hear of his impending death from Takṣaka, sent by the sage’s son, he would renounce all worldly attachment and attain the supreme abode of Hari. Desiring to know the true nature of the self, Parīkṣit would hear from the sage, the son of Vyāsa, and, leaving his body on the banks of the Ganga, he would go directly to the fearless realm of the Lord. Having thus instructed the king, all the honored and learned brāhmaṇas returned to their homes. This prince became known throughout the world as Parīkṣit, for, reflecting on what he had seen before his birth, he would examine the people of this world. He grew quickly, like the waxing moon, nourished daily by his father as if by sacred fuel. Desiring to atone for the offense against his relatives, King Yudhiṣṭhira sought to perform a horse sacrifice. Having obtained wealth, he considered means other than taxes and fines to accomplish this. Perceiving his intent, his brothers, inspired by Achyuta, brought abundant wealth from the northern regions. With these resources, Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Dharma, performed three horse sacrifices, worshipping Hari with great awe and devotion. At the king’s invitation, the Lord Himself, having consecrated Yudhiṣṭhira through the brāhmaṇas, remained for several months out of affection for His friends. Then, with the king’s permission, Krishna departed for Dvārakā with His relatives, accompanied by Arjuna and the Yadus. The childhood deeds of Hari, especially His deliverance of His devotee, were witnessed by the boys of Vraja in their youth, and they spoke of these wonders with amazement. Such marvels are 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 state rarely achieved by 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? Sūta continued: Thus, O twice-born ones, Yudhiṣṭhira, having heard of Krishna’s wondrous deeds, questioned Śuka further, his mind absorbed in these sacred narratives. The king asked, “O brāhmaṇa, how could the deeds performed by Hari in childhood be sung by the boys in their youth, since they happened at a different time? O great yogi and revered teacher, please reveal this supreme wonder. Surely, this is nothing but the work of Hari’s māyā—there can be no other explanation. We are most fortunate, though we are kṣatriyas in name, 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, was reminded. Regaining his outward vision with effort, he slowly replied to Yudhiṣṭhira, the foremost devotee of the Bhāgavata. “O best of the twice-born, as you have asked, I have recounted the playful incarnations and deeds of the Lord in full. Whether one is fallen, stumbling, distressed, wounded, 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 and completely cleanses all 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 true, auspicious, and holy which brings forth the Lord’s virtues. Only those stories are delightful, charming, ever fresh and new, and a constant festival for the mind. Only those glories of the Lord of excellent fame can dry up the ocean of sorrow for people. Whatever speech, however ornate, that does not proclaim the fame of Hari—which sanctifies the world—is like a crow’s bathing place, shunned by swans. Where Acyuta is present, there are pure devotees. Any creation of speech, even if imperfect in meter, that contains the names and glories of the infinite Lord, washes away people’s sins; 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 efforts for fame and prosperity—through duties, austerity, or study—are supreme only when they bring unfailing remembrance of Śrīdhara’s lotus feet, through hearing and praising His virtues 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 gods, having fixed Him steadily in your hearts. And I, too, have been reminded of the truth of the Self, which I once heard from the supreme sage, when King Parīkṣit was observing his fast, in the presence of great sages and seers. O brāhmaṇas, I have thus told you the glorious deeds of the Lord of mighty acts, whose greatness destroys all misfortune. Whoever, with unwavering mind and faith, recites or attentively listens to this daily, even for a moment, purifies himself. Hearing this on the twelfth or eleventh day of the lunar fortnight grants long life; reciting it with self-control and fasting brings freedom from sin. One who, self-controlled, observes a fast and recites this collection in Puṣkara, Mathurā, or Dvārakā, is freed from fear. By the praise and hearing of whose glories, the gods, sages, perfected beings, ancestors, Manus, and kings grant desires to those who sing or listen.