If one hears these sacred accounts on the twelfth or eleventh day of the lunar fortnight, it is said that long life is granted; and for those who, with self-control and fasting, recite them, freedom from sin is assured. Especially powerful is the recitation when performed in holy places like Puṣkara, Mathurā, or Dvārakā, for then, with self-restraint and fasting, one is released even from fear itself. The glories praised and heard here are so potent that the gods, sages, perfected beings, ancestors, Manus, and kings, pleased by such devotion, fulfill the desires of those who sing or listen. Just as a twice-born who studies the Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma Vedas attains the purest rewards—streams of honey, clarified butter, and milk—so too does the devoted twice-born who studies this Purāṇa attain the supreme abode spoken of by the Lord Himself. By studying these sacred narratives, a brāhmaṇa attains wisdom, a kṣatriya gains sovereignty as vast as the ocean, a vaiśya is granted lordship over wealth, and even a śūdra is purified from sin. For elsewhere, the Lord Hari, who burns away the heavy impurity of Kali, is not sung of constantly; but here, in these stories, the all-encompassing Lord is thoroughly celebrated, verse by verse. With reverence, I bow to You, the unborn, infinite, true Self, whose power creates, maintains, and dissolves the universe, whose praise is difficult to fathom even for the greatest of the gods—Brahmā, Indra, Śiva, and others—O infallible One. Homage to that eternal Supreme among the gods, whose own ever-new power forms the stable and moving worlds within Himself, and whose abode is realized only by the blessed. I bow also to Vyāsa’s son, Śuka, whose mind, absorbed in his own bliss and free from all else, was drawn by the unconquered Lord’s enchanting play, and who, out of compassion, revealed this Purāṇa, the lamp of truth, destroyer of all sin. Now, Sūta continued the sacred tale: Vidura, having journeyed on pilgrimage and learned from the sage Maitreya the path of the self, returned to Hastināpura, his thirst for knowledge finally quenched. While he had been in the presence of the sage Kauṣārava, Vidura’s questions had led him to a single-pointed devotion to Govinda, and so, with his heart full, he ceased his inquiries. When Vidura returned, his kinsmen—Dharmaputra (Yudhiṣṭhira) and his brothers, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Yuyutsu, Sūta, Kṛpa, and Pṛthā—along with Gāndhārī, Draupadī, Subhadrā, Uttara, Kṛpī, and the other wives of the Pāṇḍavas, as well as their sons and female relatives—all rose with joy, as if life itself had returned to their bodies. With proper reverence, they greeted Vidura, embracing him and offering salutations. Overcome by the longing born of separation, they shed tears of love. The king honored Vidura, offering him a seat and welcoming him warmly. When Vidura had eaten, rested, and was seated comfortably, the king, bowing with humility, spoke to him as all listened intently. Yudhiṣṭhira addressed him: “Do you remember us, who flourished under your protection and, along with our mother, were saved from many dangers—poison, fire, and more? How have you lived during your wanderings? Have you visited the chief holy places and sacred fields of this earth? O Lord, devotees like you are themselves holy places, for you sanctify even the sacred sites by carrying in your heart the bearer of the mace. Have you seen or heard of our friends and relatives, the worshippers of Krishna? Are the Yadavas well and happy in their city?” Thus questioned by Yudhiṣṭhira, Vidura recounted all that he had experienced, step by step, but out of compassion, he withheld news of the Yadu dynasty’s destruction, unable to bear the sorrow it would cause. For some time, Vidura remained there, honored and happy like a god, bringing well-being to his elder brother and happiness to all. During this period, Aryama administered justice to wrongdoers as required, for Yama, due to a curse, had assumed the status of a śūdra for a hundred years. Yudhiṣṭhira, having regained his kingdom and seeing his grandson as the heir of the dynasty, rejoiced with his brothers, who were like guardians of the world, in supreme prosperity. Yet, as often happens with those absorbed in home and worldly pursuits, time—subtle and insurmountable—passed unnoticed. Vidura, perceiving the approach of inevitable change, spoke to Dhritarashtra: “O King, depart quickly; see how danger has arrived. There is no remedy here, from anywhere or at any time. This is the Supreme Time, the Lord, who comes for all. Even those most dear, as close as one’s own life, are overtaken, and people are suddenly separated. What, then, of others—wealth and so forth? “Fathers, brothers, friends, sons—all have been slain; youth has departed; your self is consumed by old age, and you reside in another’s house. How great is the hope for life in a living being, that you, like a caretaker, accept food left aside by Bhima. Fire has been set, gifts given, poison administered, wives dishonored, land and wealth stolen—how much remains for those who gave their lives for such things? “Even your own body, O pitiable one, though unwilling, will depart—worn out by old age, like threadbare clothes. He who, having lost all purpose for this body, becomes detached and free from bonds, leaves it without concern for its destination; such a person is wise. He who, by his own or another’s cause, has become disillusioned and self-possessed, placing Hari in his heart, leaves home—such a man is supreme. “Therefore, let your journey be toward the north, with your path unknown to others, for from here onward, time generally draws men away through the influence of the qualities.” Thus awakened by his wise younger brother, Vidura, King Dhritarashtra cut the strong bonds of affection for his people and departed along the path shown by his brother. The virtuous Gāndhārī, the devoted daughter of Subala, followed her husband, laying aside her staff of authority, just as noble souls relinquish their attachments at the end. Meanwhile, Yudhiṣṭhira, having made peace with all, performed fire sacrifices and honored the brāhmaṇas with gifts of sesame, cows, land, and gold. He then entered his house to pay respects to his elders, but to his sorrow, did not see his parents or the daughter of Subala.