The wise sages gathered together and spoke of the newborn prince, Parikshit, extolling his virtues and foretelling his greatness. They declared that he would be as impartial as his grandsire, Yudhishthira, and as gracious as Śiva, a refuge for all beings just as the Lord is for Lakṣmī. Devoted to Krishna, Parikshit would embody all noble qualities and grandeur, his generosity rivaling that of Rantideva, and his righteousness matching Yayati’s. In steadfastness, Parikshit would be like Bali; in devotion to Krishna, like Prahlada. He would perform horse sacrifices and honor his elders. As the progenitor of royal sages, he would chastise those who stray from the path and, for the sake of dharma, restrain the influence of Kali upon the earth. When the time of his death approached, and Takshaka, the serpent, sent by the sage’s son, was to end his life, Parikshit would renounce all attachments and attain the abode of Hari. Seeking knowledge of the true self, he would listen to the teachings of Vyasa’s son, and, departing from his body on the banks of the Ganga, he would go directly, free from fear, to the supreme destination. After imparting these prophecies, the honored brahmins returned to their homes. The prince became renowned as Parikshit, for he would examine men in the world, reflecting on what he had seen before. Parikshit grew swiftly, like the waxing moon, nourished each day by his father, as one feeds a fire with wood. Desiring to atone for the offense against his relatives, King Yudhishthira sought to perform a horse sacrifice. Having obtained wealth, he considered alternatives to taxes and fines. Perceiving his intent, his brothers, inspired by Achyuta, brought abundant riches from the northern lands. With these resources, Yudhishthira, son of Dharma, performed three horse sacrifices, worshipping Hari with great reverence and awe. At the king’s invitation, the Lord Himself, after Yudhishthira was consecrated by the brahmins, stayed for several months out of affection for His friends. Then, with the king’s permission, Krishna departed for Dvaraka, accompanied by Arjuna and the Yadus. The childhood deeds of Hari, especially His deliverance of His devotee, were witnessed by the boys in Vraja during their youth, and they spoke of them 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 the rare equality with the self, which is seldom given to the wicked. He who but once placed the Lord’s image in 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, asked Suka again, his mind absorbed in the sacred narrative. The king said, “O Brahman, how could the boys in Vraja sing of Hari’s childhood deeds in their youth, when those events occurred in a different time? O great yogi, O revered teacher, please explain 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,” he said, “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 and completely cleanses 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. Only that is delightful, charming, ever fresh, and ever new; only that is the constant great festival for 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, 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, the God of gods, 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. 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, one becomes free 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. A twice-born who studies the Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma Vedas attains the fruits of honey, clarified butter, and milk streams.” Thus, the sacred tale was recounted, extolling the virtues of devotion, the greatness of Hari, and the blessedness of those who hear and recite His glories.