Salutations to the blessed Goddess Durgā! May She, the Divine Mother, who is the very fabric of creation, the protector during the world’s preservation, and the fierce force at the time of dissolution—She for whom this entire universe is but a playful sport, who is known as Aparā, and who is revealed as Paśyantī, Madhyamā, and ultimately as the supreme Goddess manifest in sacred speech—may She, worshipped by Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva alike, graciously adorn our words. Having first bowed with reverence to Nārāyaṇa, to Nara the supreme being, to the Goddess Sarasvatī, and to the great sage Vyāsa, one should then proclaim victory, invoking auspiciousness. At that sacred gathering, the sages addressed Sūta, renowned for his wisdom and longevity: “O Sūta, disciple of Vyāsa, please narrate to us the delightful and holy stories. We have listened devoutly to the wondrous deeds of Viṣṇu, which purify all sins and are filled with the glories of his incarnations. From your lotus mouth, we have also heard the divine acts of Śiva, the greatness of his sacred ash and rudrākṣa beads, along with their histories and merits. Now, we wish to hear that which is most purifying of all, which bestows both worldly enjoyment and liberation, and is attained with ease in every way. “O most fortunate one, tell us of that supreme truth by which people attain success. In this age of Kali, there is no greater knowledge from you that dispels doubt.” Sūta replied with warmth, “O blessed ones, you have asked well, desiring the welfare of the world. I shall now declare to you the very essence of all the scriptures. Until the Devī Bhāgavata is properly heard by people, the merit of holy places, Purāṇas, and vows is like thunder that rumbles in vain. Without the axe known as the Devī Bhāgavata, the forest of sins, thick with the thorns of suffering, remains for humanity. So long as the sun of the Devī Bhāgavata has not risen, the darkness of afflictions, which brings sorrow, persists.” The sages, eager and attentive, asked again, “O Sūta, best among speakers, please tell us—what is this recitation, and what is the proper way to hear it? In how many days should it be heard? What worship is required? Who has heard it in the past, and what blessings did they receive?” Sūta began his narration: “The great sage Vyāsa, a portion of Viṣṇu himself, was born to Satyavatī through Parāśara. Having divided the Vedas into four, he taught them to his disciples. Yet, he pondered—how could those who are outcastes, the twice-born who are unfit for Vedic study, women, those of dull intellect, and ordinary men, attain knowledge of dharma? Reflecting deeply, the venerable sage Bādarāyaṇa, wishing to establish dharma for all, conceived the Purāṇas. “The blessed sage composed eighteen Purāṇas and taught them to me, along with the Mahābhārata. Among them, the Devī Bhāgavata Purāṇa, which bestows both enjoyment and liberation, he himself recited to King Janamejaya. In the past, King Parikṣit, son of Janamejaya and grandson of King Parikṣit who was bitten by the serpent Takṣaka, listened to the Bhāgavata for his own purification. “For nine days, King Parikṣit worshipped the Mother of the three worlds, the Goddess, with prescribed rites, listening to the sacred text from the lotus mouth of Śrī Vedavyāsa. When the nine-day sacrifice was complete, the king attained, at that very moment, the divine abode of the Goddess in a celestial form. Witnessing his father’s ascent to the divine realm, King Janamejaya too, after worshipping Vyāsa, attained supreme joy. “Among the eighteen Purāṇas, the Devī Bhāgavata is the most excellent and supreme, bestowing dharma, prosperity, desire, and liberation. Those who always listen with devotion to the story of the Goddess Bhāgavata, for them, perfection is never far away; thus, it should always be cherished. “Even if one listens for half a day, a quarter, a moment, or even an instant with devotion, one never meets misfortune. The fruit of all sacrifices, pilgrimages, and donations is gained by hearing the Purāṇa even once. Many righteous acts were performed in the past, but in Kali Yuga, righteousness is found solely in hearing the Purāṇa; there is no other way. “For those lacking in righteous conduct, whose lives are short in Kali, Vyāsa composed this nectar-like Purāṇa for their welfare. By drinking nectar, a person alone becomes ageless and immortal; but by the nectar of the Goddess’s story, one’s entire lineage attains agelessness and immortality. “There is no restriction of months or days for this; the Devī Bhāgavata should always be served, always cherished. Yet, in the month of Āśvina, or in Madhu, or the pure month of Tapas, and especially during the four Navarātris, it bears the greatest fruit. Therefore, the nine-day sacrifice is declared to be more rewarding than all other virtuous acts, as it bestows the highest merit. “Even those with wicked hearts, devoted to sin, deluded, betrayers of friends, revilers of the Vedas, addicted to violence or atheism—these are purified in Kali Yuga by the nine-day sacrifice. Those who covet others’ wives and wealth, burdened with sin, lacking devotion to cows, deities, and Brahmins—these too are purified by the nine-day sacrifice. “The fruit obtained by fierce austerities, vows, pilgrimages, donations, disciplines, sacrifices, offerings, and recitations is attained by people through this nine-day observance. Neither Gaṅgā, nor Gayā, nor Kāśī, nor Naimiṣa, nor Mathurā, nor Puṣkara, nor even the forest of Badarī purifies as instantly as this sacrifice to the Goddess. “Therefore, the Bhāgavata Purāṇa of the Goddess is considered the highest and supreme means for dharma, wealth, desire, and liberation. When the Sun enters Virgo during the bright fortnight of Āśvina, one should worship the Goddess, seated upon her lion-throne, especially on the great eighth day. With devotion, for the pleasure of the Goddess, one should give the Śrī Bhāgavata book to a worthy brāhmaṇa; by this act, one attains the path of the Goddess. “Whoever, with devotion, recites daily even a single verse or half a verse of the Devī Bhāgavata becomes dear to the Goddess; merely by hearing it, one is freed from terrible calamities, deadly epidemics, and all disasters. The fear caused by balagrahas, spirits, or ghosts is driven far away by hearing the Devī Bhāgavata.” Thus did Sūta extol the supreme power and grace of the Devī Bhāgavata, revealing its boundless merit and the path it offers to all seekers, especially in the age of Kali.