Wife, son, and all the prosperity one could desire remain with a person only as long as the sword of devotion—so difficult to resist—has not arisen in the mind toward Kṛṣṇa. But once that deep devotion awakens, worldly attachments lose their hold. Most fortunate, indeed, are those whose sons become supreme devotees of Viṣṇu. Even a single such son can fulfill every wish a parent may have—what a blessing it is to have such a child! For those devoted to Viṣṇu, accumulating worldly wealth is exceedingly rare and not their true aim. Thus, a request was made: “Choose another boon, dear child, whatever your heart desires.” The offer extended to all accomplishments, mastery of yoga, knowledge, even victory over death itself. Yet, hearing these words from Śaṅkara, the Gandharva’s throat, lips, and palate went dry, so profound was the moment. The Gandharva replied, “That state of Brahman is but a dream if one does not desire devotion to Kṛṣṇa. O Śiva, even the lordship of Indra, immortality, or the highest yogic powers—even residence, opulence, nearness, or oneness with Śrī Hari—cannot compare, for eternal and firm devotion, the status of being a servant of Hari, is exceedingly rare. O wish-fulfilling tree, grant me only this: let me become a servant of the son of Viṣṇu. If you will not grant this boon, O Śambhu, then let me become a wrongdoer instead, for nothing else matters to me.” Hearing these heartfelt words, Śaṅkara, the ocean of compassion, spoke: “May he be long-lived, virtuous, ever youthful, and steadfast. May he be wise, handsome, devoted to his teacher, and master of his senses.” Having spoken thus, Śaṅkara departed for his own abode. The people’s hearts blossomed, their purposes fulfilled. In due time, the elderly woman gave birth to a son on Mount Gandhamādana. On an auspicious day, the boy’s consecration was performed; surpassing even the venerable elders, he was given the name Upabarhaṇa. Sauti continued: The king of the Gandharvas, overjoyed, gave gifts to the brāhmaṇas. In time, Upabarhaṇa obtained the exceedingly rare mantra of Hari. Once, as he reached the fullness of youth on the bank of the Gaṇḍakī, he performed intense austerities. Through the power of yoga, he and his companions gave up their lives, transcending the mortal coil. The women who had performed these austerities chose Upabarhaṇa, the Gandharva, as their husband. Ever youthful and steadfast, Upabarhaṇa accepted them as his wives, and together they ruled the kingdom for a long time, day and night. One day, seeing Rambhā’s firm breast sway as she danced, Upabarhaṇa was so overwhelmed that he immediately abandoned his song and collapsed unconscious on the floor of the assembly. A divine voice then declared, “Go now, be born among the Śūdras, abandoning your Gandharvī form. Without adversity, O son, there is truly no greatness among men.” Having spoken thus, the Creator departed from Puṣkara to his own abode. Thereafter, Upabarhaṇa’s consciousness moved through the subtle channels: the Mūlādhāra, Svādhiṣṭhāna, Maṇipūra, and Anāhata; through Iḍā, Suṣumnā, Medhā, and Piṅgalā—the carriers of life-breath; through Viśuddhā, Niruddhā, and the channel of circulating air; and also the channel of intellect that expands knowledge. Piercing these sixteen nāḍīs, and the haṃsa, he remained for a moment, uniting his individual self with the Supreme Self. At last, Upabarhaṇa took up the three-stringed, hard-to-obtain vīṇā and placed it upon his left shoulder, ready to continue his journey.