நாரதர், whose vision never fails, approached the Kumāras with a deep doubt in his heart. He pleaded with them, “Oh compassionate ones, please remove this uncertainty without delay, for you are merciful to those who seek refuge.” The Kumāras responded with gentle wisdom: “From the very essence of the Vedas and Upaniṣads, the Bhāgavata Purāṇa has emerged. It stands apart, shining supreme, like a unique fruit whose excellence is unmatched. Just as the taste that runs from the root to the tip of a fruit is not truly enjoyed until the fruit is fully separated, so too, when the Bhāgavata is distinct, its delight is universal. Similarly, ghee exists within milk, but its sweetness is only savored when it is extracted; once separated, it becomes a divine offering that increases the joy of the gods. Among sugarcanes, sweetness pervades, but only when sugar is extracted does its true taste manifest. In the same way, the Bhāgavata narrative is distinct and supremely sweet.” “This Purāṇa, known as Bhāgavata, is revered by the wise. It was revealed to establish devotion (bhakti), knowledge (jñāna), and detachment (vairāgya). Even Vyāsa, the author of the Gītā, who had immersed himself in the Vedas and Vedānta, once found himself lost in sorrow, bewildered in the ocean of ignorance. But when you, O Nārada, spoke to him the four essential verses of the Bhāgavata, Bādarāyaṇa (Vyāsa) was instantly freed from distress.” “So, why do you wonder and ask such questions? The Śrīmad Bhāgavata must be heard, for it destroys grief and sorrow.” Nārada then spoke with deep reverence: “That vision which instantly removes all inauspiciousness and bestows the highest good to those suffering in worldly existence—absorbed in the nectar of stories sung by the pure, for the sake of manifesting love—I have taken refuge in it.” “When, by the accumulated merit of many births, a person gains the company of the virtuous, discrimination arises within, dispelling the darkness of delusion and pride born of ignorance.” Sūta then announced: “The greatness of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata—Chapter Three. By hearing the Bhāgavata from the mouths of Sanaka and others, the devotee is satisfied, and knowledge and detachment flourish.” Nārada declared, “I will perform a sacrifice of knowledge, adorned with Śuka’s teachings, for the establishment of devotion, knowledge, and detachment. Please tell me, where should I perform this sacrifice? The greatness of Śuka’s scripture should be spoken by those who have mastered the Vedas. In how many days should the narration of the Bhāgavata be heard, and what procedures should be followed?” The Kumāras replied, “Listen, Nārada, we shall tell you, who are humble and wise: Near the banks of the sacred Gaṅgā, there is a place called Ānanda. It is frequented by groups of sages, attended by gods and siddhas, adorned with various trees and creepers, and covered with fresh, soft sand. It is a beautiful and secluded spot, fragrant with golden lotuses, where enmity does not reside in the hearts of nearby beings. With the aged, weakened body placed before you, and considering both, devotion will arrive there.” “Wherever the discourse of the Bhāgavata takes place, devotion and its companions flourish; by hearing the narration, that triad—devotion, knowledge, and detachment—becomes rejuvenated.” Sūta continued: “Thus, the Kumāras, along with Nārada, swiftly came to the banks of the Gaṅgā to drink in the narration. When they arrived, a great tumult arose—in the world of mortals, in the world of gods, and even in the world of Brahma. Eager to taste the nectar of the Bhāgavata, all rushed there, with the Vaiṣṇavas arriving first.” Great sages such as Bhṛgu, Vasiṣṭha, Cyavana, Gautama, Medhātithi, Devala, Devarāta, Rāma, Gādhi’s son, Śākala, Mṛkaṇḍu’s son, Atri, and Pippalāda came, along with masters of yoga like Vyāsa and Parāśara, Chāyāśuka, Jājali, Jahnu, and their sons, disciples, and wives, all filled with affection. The Vedāntas, Vedas, mantras, tantras, their embodied forms, the ten and seven Purāṇas, and the six scriptures also arrived. Rivers beginning with the Gaṅgā, lakes beginning with Puṣkara, holy places, all directions, and forests such as Daṇḍaka came. Mountains, gods, Gandharvas, and Dānavas arrived, and Bhṛgu guided them due to their heaviness. Initiated by Nārada and given the honored seat, the Kumāras sat absorbed in Krishna. The Vaiṣṇavas, the detached, renunciants, and celibates stood at the front, with Nārada before them. Groups of sages gathered in one section, celestial beings in another, Vedas and Upaniṣads elsewhere, holy places and women elsewhere. Shouts of victory, cries of reverence, and the sound of conch shells filled the air. Roasted grains and flowers were scattered in celebration. Many leaders of the gods ascended their aerial chariots and showered flowers from wish-fulfilling trees upon all present. Sūta said, “Thus, among those whose minds were undistracted, the Kumāras spoke the greatness of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata to the great-hearted Nārada.” The Kumāras proclaimed, “Now, we shall describe the glory born from Śuka’s scripture, by hearing which liberation rests in one’s palm. The narration of the glorious Bhāgavata is always to be served; merely by hearing it, Hari resides in one’s heart. This scripture consists of eighteen thousand verses, arranged in twelve books; it is the dialogue between Parīkṣit and Śuka—listen to this Bhāgavata.” “Dear one, in this cycle of worldly existence, a person wanders in ignorance as long as even for a moment the teachings of Śuka’s scripture have not entered his ears. What is the use of hearing many scriptures and Purāṇas that only cause confusion? The single scripture, the Bhāgavata, thunders forth as the giver of liberation. That house in which the narration of the Bhāgavata occurs daily is truly a place of pilgrimage, destroying the sins of its inhabitants.” இவ்வாறு, Kumāras and Nārada together revealed the supreme glory of the Bhāgavata Purāṇa, showing how its nectar nourishes devotion, knowledge, and detachment, and liberates all who listen with a pure heart.