Having thus instructed King Yudhishthira, the revered and learned brahmins, honored by all, returned peacefully to their homes. The child, Parikshit, became renowned throughout the world by that name, for he would one day examine the conduct of people, ever mindful of what he had witnessed at the time of his birth. The young prince Parikshit grew swiftly, his radiance waxing like the moon, daily nourished by the loving care of his father, just as the sacred fire is fed with offerings of wood. Meanwhile, King Yudhishthira, wishing to atone for the offense committed against his own kin, resolved to perform a horse sacrifice. Having acquired great wealth, he considered means of gathering resources other than levying taxes or imposing fines upon his people. Perceiving their elder brother’s noble intent, Yudhishthira’s brothers, inspired by the will of Achyuta—Lord Krishna Himself—journeyed to the northern regions and returned with abundant riches. With these resources, Yudhishthira, son of Dharma, performed three grand horse sacrifices. At each, he worshipped Lord Hari with deep reverence and awe, his heart filled with humility. At the king’s invitation, Lord Krishna Himself attended. After Yudhishthira was consecrated by the brahmins, Krishna remained for several months, moved by affection for His dear friends. At last, with Yudhishthira’s permission, Krishna departed for Dvaraka, accompanied by Arjuna and the Yadus. Even as these events unfolded, the wondrous childhood deeds of Hari—His deliverance of His devotee—were spoken of in amazement by the boys of Vraja, who had witnessed them in their youth. Such marvels are not surprising in the case of the Supreme Creator, who assumes human form for His divine play. Even Agha, whose sins were washed away by the mere touch of the Lord, attained union with the Self—a state exceedingly rare for the wicked. Indeed, one who but once fixes the image of the Lord in his mind attains the supreme path of devotion. What, then, can be said of those who, free from illusion, constantly experience the bliss of the eternal Self? Sūta continued: Thus, O twice-born sages, King Yudhishthira, having heard of Krishna’s wondrous deeds, once more questioned Śuka, his mind absorbed in the sacred narrative. The king asked: “O revered Brahman, how could the boys of Vraja sing of Hari’s childhood deeds in their youth, when those events took place at a different time? O great yogi and teacher, please explain this supreme wonder. Surely, it can only be the work of Hari’s māyā—there is no other explanation. Truly, we are most fortunate, though 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—Śuka—whose senses were absorbed in the infinite Self, recollected the events. Drawing his mind outward with effort, he slowly replied to that foremost devotee of the Lord. “O best of the twice-born,” said Śuka, “as you have asked, I have recounted in full the playful incarnations and deeds of the Lord. Whether one is fallen, stumbles, is distressed, wounded, or helpless—whoever calls out ‘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, which do not speak of the transcendent Lord, should not be told. Only that is true, auspicious, and holy which brings forth the Lord’s virtues. Only such speech is delightful, charming, ever fresh, and ever new—a great festival for the mind, drying up the ocean of sorrow for people—when the glories of the Lord of excellent fame are sung. Even the most ornate speech, if it does not proclaim the fame of Hari, which sanctifies the world, is like a crow’s bathing place, shunned by swans; but where Acyuta is present, pure devotees gather. Even imperfect verses that contain the names and glories of the infinite Lord wash away the sins of people; the virtuous listen to, sing, and recite them. Even desireless action and pure knowledge, O Acyuta, do not shine without devotion to You; 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 caste duties, austerity, or study—are supreme only when they bring 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 gods, 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, surrounded by 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 these glories, the gods, sages, perfected beings, ancestors, Manus, and kings fulfill the desires of 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 collection 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 these narratives. I bow to You, the unborn, infinite, true Self, whose power brings about the creation, maintenance, and dissolution of the universe, whose praise is difficult to grasp even for the lords of heaven—Brahmā, Indra, Śiva, and others—O infallible One. Homage to the eternal Supreme among the gods, whose own power forms the stable and moving worlds within Himself, and whose abode is realized only by the blessed. I bow to Vyāsa’s son, Śuka, who, with a mind absorbed in his own bliss and free from all else, was drawn by the unconquered Lord’s charming play, and who, out of compassion, revealed this Purāṇa—the lamp of truth, destroyer of all sin.