Narada, filled with reverence, addressed Nārāyaṇa, saying, “O Lord, I have listened to your great narrative, which flowed from your moon-like mouth and has brought me deep satisfaction. Now, I wish to know what transpired next—what did Bṛhaspati say? What words did he speak to the creator and ordainer of the worlds?” Nārāyaṇa replied, “Having paid his respects, Bṛhaspati stood before Śambhu, his neck bowed in shame. Śambhu, seeing the son of his teacher approach, rose from his seat of sacred grass. With kindness, he invited Bṛhaspati to sit upon his own seat and spoke to him with gentle concern. ‘O brother,’ Śrī Śaṅkara said, observing Bṛhaspati’s tearful eyes and his evident embarrassment, ‘tell me the reason for this sorrow. Is it because your austerities have waned, or perhaps you have neglected the twilight rites, O sage? Or is it a lack of devotion to your teacher, your chosen deity, or to your elders? Has your guest departed unsatisfied, or are those you support left hungry? Is it that, though well-instructed, your disciple is not obedient, or that your servants fail to follow your commands? The greatest and best among men are always content in mind, yet perhaps your chosen deity is displeased, or your horses are unruly. Have you been separated from your relatives, or is there conflict with someone powerful? Who has slandered you—was it the wicked or sinners? Have you abandoned a relative, either out of detachment or anger? Perhaps you have heard slander of your teacher or your kin from the lips of a wicked person? So too is the reviling of those born in ignoble families and of the wicked. But those who praise others are truly virtuous and meritorious in the land of Bharata. In sons, in fame, in water, and in prosperity and valor, in words, intellect, nature, and conduct—as is their heart, so is their good fortune.’ Having thus spoken, Mahadeva fell silent amid his assembly, awaiting Bṛhaspati’s reply. Bṛhaspati then spoke: ‘O Lord, people, bound by karma, continually experience the results of actions performed in various births. Each living being enjoys the fruit of its own actions, birth after birth. Some say it is all due to fate, others attribute it to one’s own nature. But truly, action itself is the originator of deeds, and action is caused by destiny. For every creature, in each birth, it is their own actions that determine their fate. The soul, always endowed with qualities, is the enjoyer of the fruits of its own actions. That very Self is to be served by all, for it is the Self who grants the results to everyone. Through actions, people experience shame, praise, and blossoming joy.’ As Bṛhaspati spoke, Shiva—overcome by anger—let the rosary slip from his hand. Yet, Shiva, the friend of Vishnu, remains the lord of destruction and protector. O Narada, Shiva is the friend of Krishna, who is beyond all qualities and the master of nature. Then Shiva declared, ‘For those who are non-Vaishnavas and unrighteous, there is inauspiciousness at every step. Anyone who, while being well-established, gives suffering to Vaishnavas brings impurity upon themselves. The heart of non-Vaishnavas is never pure and spotless. But when the knot of the heart is broken, all doubts are cut away. Ah, what a supremely pure nature belongs to the servants of Sri Krishna! Blessed is he whose teacher is eminent, free from anger, and righteous.’ Thus, the exchange unfolded, revealing the subtle truths of karma, destiny, and the supreme purity of devotion.