In the sacred assembly, Sūta began to recount the profound teachings about the path to Hari. He explained that the Supreme Lord is not attained by austerities, nor by mastery of the Vedas, nor by knowledge or actions. Only through devotion does one reach Him, and the gopīs themselves stand as living proof of this truth. He continued, saying that after thousands of human births, genuine love for devotion finally arises in the heart. Especially in the age of Kali, devotion alone is the way—by devotion, Krishna Himself appears before the devotee. Those who are hostile to devotion find themselves sinking in suffering across all three worlds, as illustrated by the misery Durvāsā once endured for insulting a devotee. Sūta declared that vows, pilgrimages, yogas, sacrifices, and endless discussions on knowledge are all insufficient; only devotion grants liberation. Then he narrated how, after hearing the true nature of herself as determined by Nārada, Bhakti—endowed with all auspiciousness—spoke to the sage. Bhakti addressed Nārada with warmth: "O Nārada, how blessed you are! Your love for me is unwavering. I will never leave you; I will always remain in your heart." She thanked him, saying, "O compassionate sage, you have destroyed my affliction in an instant. But my two sons, Jñāna and Vairāgya, lack consciousness—please, awaken them!" Sūta described how, upon hearing Bhakti’s plea, Nārada was filled with compassion. He began to awaken the two, rubbing them gently with his fingertips. Placing his mouth near their ears, he called loudly, "O Jñāna, awaken quickly! O Vairāgya, awaken!" Nārada recited the Vedas, Vedānta, and the Gītā repeatedly, striving to awaken them. With considerable effort, the two managed to rise, but they could not open their eyes; they yawned, weak as herons, their bodies gray and withered like dry wood. Seeing them emaciated by hunger and again slipping into sleep, the sage became thoughtful, pondering what more could be done. He wondered: "How does such sleep and old age arise?" Contemplating thus, Bhārgava began to recall Govinda. At that very moment, a voice from the sky spoke: "O sage, do not be distressed. Your effort will bear fruit; there is no doubt. For this purpose, O sage among the gods, perform virtuous deeds. The noble ones, adorned with virtue, will declare your action. When that virtuous act is performed, sleep and old age in those two will depart at once, and devotion will spread everywhere." The clear celestial voice was heard by all, and Nārada was amazed, confessing, "This was not known to me." He asked, "Even with this heavenly guidance, the matter remains secret. What is the means, what action must be done to fulfill their purpose? Where will the virtuous ones be found, and how will they give the means? What must I do here, as spoken by the voice from the sky?" Sūta narrated that, after settling Jñāna and Vairāgya there, Nārada departed, visiting one holy place after another, seeking counsel from the great sages along the way. The account was heard by all, but after much deliberation, none could answer. Some said it was impossible, others found it too difficult to understand; some became silent, and a few even fled. A great commotion arose throughout the three worlds, stirred by proclamations of the Vedas, Vedānta, and recitations of the Gītā. Yet, when the triad of devotion, knowledge, and detachment did not manifest, people whispered from ear to ear, "There is no other means." Even Nārada, the yogi, did not understand, so how could others among men explain it? Thus, when questioned by the groups of sages, it was determined and declared to be inaccessible. Troubled by concern, Nārada came to the Badarī forest, resolved to undertake austerity there for this purpose. At that time, he saw before him the great sages Sanaka and his brothers, shining like millions of suns. The foremost sage spoke. Nārada, overjoyed, said, "Now, by great fortune, I have met you. O Kumāras, please speak quickly, showing compassion to me. All of you are yogis, wise and learned, endowed with fivefold restraint, and ancestors even of the earliest ones. Always dwelling in Vaikuntha, devoted to singing the praises of Hari, intoxicated by the nectar of his pastimes, you live solely for the sake of his stories. For those whose mouths constantly utter the name of Hari as their sole refuge, old age, decreed by time, does not trouble them. By merely a frown from you, the two gatekeepers of Hari once instantly fell at your feet; by your compassion, they returned to the city. By the fortune of yoga, I have gained your sight here; you, full of compassion, ought to show grace to me, who am destitute." He pleaded, "That which was spoken by the bodiless voice—what is the means for it? Please explain in detail how it is to be practiced. How does happiness arise for those endowed with devotion, knowledge, and detachment? How can it be established among all classes, with love and effort?" The Kumaras replied, "Do not be anxious, O divine sage; bring joy into your heart. The means, easily accomplished, already exists here. Ah, Narada, you are blessed—the crest-jewel among the detached, always the foremost among the servants of Sri Krishna, the sun among yogis. It is not surprising in you, who always follow the path of devotion, that the establishment of devotion is ever accomplished for Krishna's servant." They explained, "Many sages in the world have revealed various paths, all difficult and achieved by effort, and for the most part, they yield the fruit of heaven. But the path that leads to Vaikuntha is indeed kept secret; its teacher is rarely found, attained mostly by good fortune." Thus, the story unfolded: devotion alone is the supreme path, its mysteries revealed only to the fortunate, and its power known to those who serve Krishna with unwavering love.