In the assembly of sages and noble souls, it was revealed that Parikshit would become the progenitor of royal sages and a mighty chastiser of those who stray from the righteous path. For the sake of dharma, he would restrain the influence of Kali upon the earth. When Parikshit hears of his impending death, foretold to come by the serpent Takshaka, sent by the sage’s son, he will renounce all worldly attachments and attain the blessed abode of Hari. Desiring to understand the true nature of the self, Parikshit will listen to the teachings of the sage, the son of Vyasa, and, leaving his body on the banks of the sacred Ganga, he will depart directly, free from all fear. Thus, having instructed the king, the honored and learned brahmins returned to their own homes. Parikshit became renowned throughout the world, for he would reflect deeply on what he had witnessed before and examine the conduct of men in this world. Like the waxing moon, the prince grew swiftly, nourished daily by his father, as one would feed a fire with pieces of wood. Desiring to perform a horse sacrifice to atone for offenses against his relatives, the king, having gained wealth, pondered ways to gather resources other than imposing taxes and fines. Perceiving his intention, his brothers, prompted by Achyuta, brought abundant wealth from the northern lands. With these resources, Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, performed three horse sacrifices, worshipping Hari with great reverence and fear. Invited by the king, the Lord Himself, after the king was consecrated by the brahmins, stayed for several months out of affection for His friends. Then, with the king’s permission, Krishna, accompanied by His relatives, departed for Dvaraka, along with Arjuna and the Yadus. The childhood deeds of Hari, especially the deliverance of His devotee, were witnessed by the boys of Vraja during their youth, and they spoke of these wondrous events with amazement. This is not surprising, for the Supreme Creator assumes human form for His divine 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 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 then spoke: Thus, O twice-born, Yudhishthira, having heard the wondrous deeds of Krishna, again questioned Suka, his mind absorbed in the sacred narrative. The king asked, “O Brahman, how could the deeds performed by Hari in childhood be sung by the boys in their youth, when they happened at a different time? O great yogi and revered teacher, please tell me this supreme wonder; surely, this is nothing but the work of Hari’s māyā—what else could it be? We are the most fortunate in the world, though we are kṣatriyas only in name, for we constantly drink from you the nectar of Krishna’s sacred stories.” Śrī Sūta continued: 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, saying, “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. Whoever, whether fallen, stumbling, distressed, wounded, or helpless, 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 hearts of people and completely cleanses their suffering, just as the sun and strong wind dispel darkness and clouds. Words and stories that do not speak of the transcendent Lord are empty and false; only those are truth, auspicious, and holy which bring forth the Lord’s virtues. Only the glories of the Lord of excellent fame are delightful, charming, ever fresh and new; only they are a constant festival for the mind and dry up the ocean of sorrow for people. Speech, however ornate, that does not proclaim Hari’s fame—which sanctifies the world—is like a crow’s bathing place, not frequented by swans; where Acyuta is present, there indeed are pure devotees. Even imperfect speech that 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 and pure knowledge, without devotion to You, O Acyuta, does not shine; how much less, then, do even the best works bring lasting good if not offered to the Lord? All effort for fame and prosperity—whether through duties, austerity, or study—is supreme only when it brings unfailing remembrance of Śrīdhara’s lotus feet, through hearing and praising Hari’s 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 and ruler 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 supreme sage’s lips, 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. A devoted twice-born who studies this Purāṇa attains the supreme abode spoken of by the Lord. By studying, a brāhmaṇa attains wisdom, a kṣatriya the sovereignty of the ocean, a vaiśya lordship over wealth, and a śūdra is purified from sin. Elsewhere, Hari, the Lord of all, who burns away the mass of Kali’s impurity, is not sung of constantly; but here, the Lord, whose form is all-encompassing, is thoroughly recited, verse by verse, in the course of these sacred narratives.