Listen now to the sacred story of the Guḍivā festival, as revealed in the ancient Purāṇa. It is said that whoever beholds Kṛṣṇa, radiant and armed with all his divine weapons, proceeding southward in the company of Bhadrā, is blessed with every fruit of righteous desire. When devotees witness Kṛṣṇa, along with his brother Balarāma and their sister Subhadrā, seated together upon a chariot as it journeys toward the pavilion of Guḍivā, those blessed souls are destined to reach the very abode of Hari. And those who see these three divine forms residing in the pavilion for seven days are assured of a place in the world of Viṣṇu. Curious seekers once asked, “O Lord of the universe, who first established this festival on the southern side? What are the rewards obtained from its observance? For what reason did the king travel to the pavilion by the lake, in that pure and secluded place?” The tale unfolds: Kṛṣṇa, Saṃkarṣaṇa (Balarāma), and Subhadrā, leaving their sanctified abode, dwell for seven nights in the chariot. Long ago, the righteous king Indradyumna requested Lord Hari: “Let there be a festival in your honor for seven days on the shore of this sacred lake.” The compassionate Lord, addressed as Guḍivā—the bestower of both worldly enjoyment and liberation—granted this boon. He declared, “O King, for seven days on the lakeshore, my festival called Guḍivā will be celebrated, bestowing the fulfillment of all desires. Whoever worships me there with steadfast faith, in the pavilion, honoring Saṃkarṣaṇa and Subhadrā as prescribed, whether Brahmin, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, woman, or Śūdra—offering flowers, fragrances, incense, lamps, and worthy gifts; performing prostrations, circumambulations, singing hymns and songs, accompanied by enchanting music and cries of victory—there is nothing unattainable for them. By my grace, whatever fruit each desires will surely be granted.” Having spoken thus, the Lord vanished, and the illustrious king was fulfilled in heart and soul at that very moment. Therefore, O best among the twice-born, it is enjoined that with all effort one should behold that Supreme Person, the wish-fulfilling Lord at Guḍivā. For the childless, children are granted; for the poor, wealth; the sick are healed; maidens find worthy husbands. Longevity, fame, intelligence, strength, knowledge, fortitude, livestock, offspring, beauty, youth, and prosperity—these and all other enjoyments, whatever a man or woman may desire, are obtained by beholding that Supreme Lord. Whoever, with a focused mind, observes the Guḍivā festival in the bright fortnight of Āṣāḍha, whether man or woman, and beholds Kṛṣṇa, Rāma, and Subhadrā, attains the merit of fifty horse sacrifices and more. Such a person uplifts seven generations of ancestors and descendants, and ascends in a wish-fulfilling aerial chariot adorned with jewels. Attended by Gandharvas and Apsarās, handsome, fortunate, and heroic, the devotee enters the city of Viṣṇu, enjoying supreme pleasures until the very dissolution of creation, free from old age and death. When the merit earned is finally spent, such a soul returns to earth as a Brahmin versed in the four Vedas, and by practicing Vaiṣṇava yoga, ultimately attains liberation. The sages then asked, “Tell us, O Lord, the distinct fruit of each festival—what does a man or woman who observes them at this sacred place obtain?” The Lord replied: “Listen, O Brahmins, to the fruits of each festival. In Guḍivā, at sunrise, in the month of Phālguni, during the equinox, those who undertake the pilgrimage as prescribed, beholding and bowing to Kṛṣṇa, attain the blessings of Saṃkarṣaṇa and Subhadrā everywhere, and reach Viṣṇu’s realm for as long as fourteen Indras reign. If one performs the pilgrimage in Jyeṣṭha as prescribed, for that many kalpas one enjoys happiness in Viṣṇu’s world, without doubt. “In this excellent, sacred, and delightful field of Śrīpuruṣottama, which grants both enjoyment and liberation, a man or woman with controlled senses who performs the pilgrimage in Jyeṣṭha for twelve days with concentration, and establishes the installation free from deceit and pride, after enjoying many pleasures, certainly attains liberation in the end.” The sages then asked, “O Lord, tell us about the installation—its procedure, worship, donations, and the fruit thereof.” The Lord instructed: “Hear now, O sages, the installation prescribed by rule. By performing it with devotion, a man or woman attains the fruit. When the twelve-day pilgrimage is complete, one should perform the installation, which destroys all sin. In the bright fortnight of Jyeṣṭha, on the eleventh day, go to the sacred reservoir, sip water, and, with pure intent, invoke all the sacred waters while meditating on Nārāyaṇa. Then, bathe as prescribed by the sages, with full concentration. After bathing, satisfy the gods, sages, ancestors, and others, knowing their names and lineages. Having crossed over, dressed in washed, clean garments, and having touched water as prescribed, one should then face the sun.” Thus, the sacred narrative of the Guḍivā festival is revealed, its rituals and fruits made known to all who seek the Lord’s grace.