For seven lifetimes, souls serve under the compassionate influence of Viṣṇu’s Māyā, gradually guided by her mercy. In the course of their spiritual journey, they also come to serve Śaṅkara—the presiding deity of knowledge—who himself is devoted to Lord Hari. Eventually, those whose hearts are still attached to sense objects turn their worship toward Viṣṇu, the embodiment of goodness and divine qualities. Among these worshipers, the Vaiṣṇavas—men of pure, sattvic nature—direct their devotion to Viṣṇu endowed with auspicious attributes. The virtuous, steadfast in their devotion, are blessed to receive his flawless mantra. Through their deep faith and practice, these Vaiṣṇavas witness even the passing of countless Brahmās, the creators of the universe, so great is the span of their spiritual vision. Of all devotees, the best is he who receives the Kṛṣṇa-mantra from a true devotee of Kṛṣṇa. Such a person, by the power of this mantra, delivers not only himself but also a thousand maternal ancestors, including his own mother, from bondage. In the dreadful ocean of worldly existence, the Divine Mother herself takes the form of a helmsman, guiding souls safely across. The Vaiṣṇavī—devotee of Viṣṇu—severs the bonds of karma for her fellow Vaiṣṇavas, freeing them from the cycle of action and reaction. "O King," the sage explained, "the power of Śakti is twofold: it acts as discernment, revealing truth, and as a covering, veiling the intellect. Śrī Kṛṣṇa alone is the embodiment of truth; all else, in comparison, is perishable. This Śrī, eternal in form, is my own, and she is also the power that veils the intellect." The sage continued, "O King, I am the son of Pracetas and the grandson of Brahmā. Go now to the riverbank and worship Durgā, the eternal one. For the desireless Vaiśya and for the devotee of Viṣṇu, she is the goddess devoted to Viṣṇu." Having spoken thus, the best of sages—an ocean of compassion—bestowed his blessings upon both the king and the Vaiśya. The Vaiśya, by serving the compassionate goddess, attained liberation. Thus, the entire excellent narrative of Durgā was recounted. So ended the sixty-second chapter, named 'The Fulfillment of the Desires of Suratha and the Vaiśya,' in the sacred dialogue between Nārada and Nārāyaṇa, within the Durgā narrative, in the section on Nature, in the great Purāṇa, Śrī Brahmavaivarta. Nārada then inquired, "By what means did the king worship the supreme Nature? And how did the Vaiśya named Samādhi, who was without desire, worship the attributeless Lord? What was the method—was it worship, meditation, or mantra? What supreme knowledge did the goddess grant to that Vaiśya? Having attained this knowledge, what rare state did the Vaiśya achieve?" Śrī Nārāyaṇa replied, "He performed the hymn, recited the protective mantra of the goddess, meditated, and observed all prescribed rites. Bathing three times a day for a year, he became purified. To the king, the goddess granted the boon of the kingdom and the happiness he desired—just as Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Soul, had once bestowed upon Śiva." There was a moment when the king, overcome with emotion, wept, holding the Lord in his lap, motionless and without breath. The goddess, herself the very form of consciousness, bestowed awareness upon him. Then, moved by great compassion, she spoke with a gracious mind. Śrī Prakṛti said, "Brahmahood, immortality, or even that which is extremely rare—the status of Indra, of Manu, or all perfections—these I can grant." The Vaiśya replied, "Then, what is even more difficult to attain? I do not know what to desire. I have taken refuge in you alone; grant me whatever you wish." Prakṛti responded, "Therefore, you shall go to Goloka, the supreme and exceedingly rare abode. There, you will receive the essence of all knowledge, which even gods and sages find difficult to obtain. Remembrance, praise, meditation, worship, and glorification of virtues—these are the ninefold characteristics of devotion among Vaiṣṇavas." Thus, the sacred story unfolded, revealing the compassionate guidance of the Divine Mother, the power of devotion, and the supreme destination awaiting those who surrender themselves to her and to Viṣṇu with a pure heart.