As Sūta continued his narration to the assembled sages, he reflected, “I too have been reminded of the eternal truth of the Self, which I once heard long ago from the lips of the supreme sage Śuka, when King Parīkṣit was observing his final fast, surrounded by the great sages and seers.” With reverence, Sūta addressed the brāhmaṇas, “Thus have I recounted to you the wondrous deeds of the Lord of mighty acts, whose greatness dispels all misfortune.” He then added, “Whoever, with steady mind and faith, recites or listens attentively to this sacred tale each day, even for a short while, becomes purified. Especially on the twelfth or eleventh day of the lunar fortnight, hearing these glories bestows long life; and reciting with self-control and fasting, one is freed from sin. Moreover, one who, self-restrained and fasting, recites this collection in holy places such as Puṣkara, Mathurā, or Dvārakā, is liberated from all fear.” Sūta continued, “By the praise and hearing of whose glories the gods, sages, perfected beings, ancestors, Manus, and kings grant the desires of those who sing or listen—such is the power of these divine narratives. A twice-born who studies the Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma Vedas gains the abundant fruits of honey, clarified butter, and streams of milk. Yet, a devoted twice-born who studies this Purāṇa attains the supreme abode spoken of by the Lord Himself. Through study, a brāhmaṇa attains wisdom, a kṣatriya gains sovereignty over the seas, a vaiśya is blessed with lordship over wealth, and a śūdra is purified from sin.” He observed, “Elsewhere, Hari, the Lord of all, who burns away the impurity of Kali, is not constantly praised; but here, in these stories, the all-encompassing Lord’s form is thoroughly celebrated, verse by verse. To Him, the unborn, infinite, true Self—whose power orchestrates creation, maintenance, and dissolution, and whose praise is difficult even for Brahmā, Indra, Śiva, and the lords of heaven—I bow, O Infallible One. Homage to You, the eternal Supreme among the gods, whose own power forms the worlds within Yourself, and whose abode is realized only by the blessed.” With gratitude, Sūta also bowed to Śuka, the son of Vyāsa, “who, absorbed in his own bliss and drawn by the Lord’s enchanting play, out of compassion revealed this Purāṇa, the lamp of truth that destroys all sin.” Turning now to the next chapter of the tale, Sūta said: “Vidura, having learned the path of the Self from the sage Maitreya during his pilgrimage, returned to Hastināpura, his thirst for knowledge fully quenched. While Vidura had questioned the sage Kauṣārava, his devotion to Govinda became exclusive, and eventually, he ceased his inquiries, content in his realization. When Vidura returned, his kinsmen—Dharmaputra (Yudhiṣṭhira) and his brothers, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Yuyutsu, Sūta, Kṛpa, and Pṛthā—saw him. Gāndhārī, Draupadī, Subhadrā, Uttara, Kṛpī, and other wives of the Pāṇḍavas, along with their sons and female relatives, all rose with joy, as if life itself had returned to their bodies. They approached Vidura, greeting him with embraces and heartfelt salutations. Overwhelmed by the joy of reunion after long separation, they shed tears of love, and the king honored Vidura, offering him a seat and a warm welcome. Once Vidura had eaten, rested, and was comfortably seated, King Yudhiṣṭhira, bowing humbly, spoke as all listened. He asked, ‘Do you remember us, who thrived under your protection and were saved, along with our mother, from many dangers—poison, fire, and more? How have you lived during your travels on earth? Have you visited the chief holy places and sacred fields? O Lord, devotees like you are themselves holy places, for you carry within your heart the bearer of the mace, sanctifying even the sacred sites you visit. Have you seen or heard any news of our friends and relatives, the worshippers of Krishna? Are the Yadavas well in their city?’ Thus questioned by Yudhiṣṭhira, Vidura described all he had seen and experienced, step by step, but he concealed the sorrowful destruction of the Yadu dynasty, out of compassion, unable to bear causing grief to others. For some time, Vidura stayed there, honored and happy like a god, bringing well-being to his elder brother and joy to all. During this period, Aryama, as the acting lord of justice, punished wrongdoers, for Yama, due to a curse, lived as a Shudra for a hundred years. Yudhiṣṭhira, having regained his kingdom and seeing his grandson as the heir, rejoiced with his brothers, who were like the guardians of the world, in supreme prosperity. Yet, for those attached to their homes and heedless, absorbed in such pursuits, time—so difficult to overcome—passed unnoticed. Vidura, perceiving this, addressed Dhṛtarāṣṭra, ‘O King, depart at once; see how danger has come upon you. There is no remedy here or anywhere, at any time; this is the Supreme Time, the Lord Himself, who has come for us all. By Him, even those most dear are overtaken, and people are suddenly separated—even from life itself, not to mention wealth and other things.’ ‘Fathers, brothers, friends, sons—all have been slain; youth is gone; your very self is consumed by old age, and you reside in another’s house. How great is the hope for life in living beings, that you, like a caretaker, accept food left aside by Bhima. Fire was set, gifts were given, poison administered, wives dishonored, land and wealth stolen—what remains for those who gave their lives for such things?’ ‘Even your body, O pitiable one, though longing to live, will depart against its will, worn out by old age, like clothes that are threadbare. One who, having lost all purpose for this body, becomes detached and freed from bonds, leaves it without concern for its destination; such a one is wise. He who, disillusioned and self-possessed, whether by his own or another’s cause, places Hari in his heart and leaves home—such a man is supreme. Therefore, let your journey be toward the north, keeping your path unknown to others; for from this point, time draws men away through the influence of the qualities.’ Thus, Vidura, out of compassion and wisdom, gently urged Dhṛtarāṣṭra to renounce worldly ties and seek the higher path, as the inexorable march of time pressed on.