Imprisoned in the house of Kamsa, Vasudeva found himself powerless, unable to act against the tyranny that surrounded him. In his desperation, he turned to the wise sage Garga and pleaded, “O wise one, only you can rescue me from this ocean of sorrow.” Hearing Vasudeva’s heartfelt plea, the eminent sage, moved by affection, assured him, “O Vasudeva, out of love, I will do what is best for you.” Requested with such devotion, Sage Garga set out with a group of Brahmins to Mount Vindhya, intent on worshipping Durga. Arriving at the sacred mountain, Garga, steadfast in his recitation and prayers, offered worship to the World-Mother, the grantor of all wishes to her devotees. When their observances were complete, a divine, bodiless voice resounded: “I am pleased, O sage; your purpose will be accomplished.” The voice revealed, “For the removal of the earth’s burden, Hari has been sent by me; he will descend, by his own portion, into Devaki, Vasudeva’s wife. Out of fear of Kamsa, Vasudeva will carry the child and deliver him immediately to Nanda’s house in Gokula. Kamsa, ruler of the earth, will seize Yashoda’s daughter, attempting to kill her, but she will escape. Emerging from his hands, she will assume a divine form, become the embodiment of intoxication, and accomplish the good of the world on Mount Vindhya.” Upon hearing these words, Sage Garga, his heart serene, bowed to the Mother of the Universe and returned to Mathura. News of the boon granted by the great Goddess brought joy to Garga and his wife, filling them with happiness. From that time onward, Vasudeva knew the supreme glory of the Goddess, which he now heard again from the lotus mouth of the divine sage. Vasudeva then requested, “O Lord, you alone should recite the Bhāgavata of the Goddess; by my good fortune, O ocean of compassion, you have come to me.” Hearing Vasudeva’s words, Nārada, delighted in mind, began the narration on an auspicious day under a favorable star. To remove obstacles to the narration, the twice-born recited the nine-syllabled mantra and the hymn to the Goddess as spoken in the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa. Beginning with the first Skandha, Vasudeva listened with devotion to the nectar of the Bhāgavata as it flowed from Śrī Nārada’s mouth. On the ninth day, as the narration concluded, Vasudeva, noble-minded, worshipped both the book and the reciter with satisfaction. Meanwhile, within a cave, Krishna and Jāmbavat were locked in battle. Weakened by Krishna’s blows, Jāmbavat regained his memory, bowed to the Blessed Lord, and begged forgiveness for his offense. Recognizing Krishna as the best of the Raghus, who had once agitated the lord of rivers and destroyed Rāvaṇa in Laṅkā, Jāmbavat said, “You are that same one, now as Krishna; forgive my wrongdoing, O Lord. Tell me what I must do—I am always your servant.” The Lord of the universe replied, “O king of bears, we have come to this cave for the sake of the jewel.” With joy, Jāmbavat, together with his wife, the divine sage Nārada, and Krishna, honored Krishna by giving his daughter Jāmbavatī in marriage and also presented the Syamantaka jewel. Krishna, placing the jewel around his neck and taking Jāmbavatī as his wife, respectfully bid farewell to the king of bears and set out for Dvārakā. On the day the narration was completed, Vasudeva, noble-minded, fed the brāhmaṇas and satisfied them with gifts. As the brāhmaṇas bestowed their blessings, Hari arrived, adorned with the jewel and accompanied by his wife. Seeing Krishna with his wife, Vasudeva at the forefront, their eyes filled with tears of joy, and they attained supreme happiness. The divine sage Nārada, delighted by Krishna’s arrival, greeted Vasudeva, and Krishna went to the assembly of Brahma. Whoever, with pure devotion and a purified mind, recites or listens to this account of Hari—which destroys evil reputation—will always be filled with happiness, attain success in all worldly desires, and, at the end of the body, obtain the path of liberation. Sūta then spoke: “Now, O best of sages, listen also to another ancient tale, where the greatness of the Devī Bhāgavata is sung. Once, the sage Agastya, husband of Lopāmudrā and born from a pot, having worshipped Kumāra, asked him various stories. The blessed Skanda told him many tales, filled with the greatness of charity, sacred places, and vows. He also described in detail the glory of Vārāṇasī, the origin of Maṇikarṇikā, and the holy places of the Gaṅgā. Pleased by these stories, Agastya again questioned Kumāra, radiant with splendor, for the welfare of the worlds. Agastya asked, ‘O Lord, slayer of Tāraka, please tell me the proper procedure for hearing the greatness of the Devī Bhāgavata. This Purāṇa, called Devī Bhāgavata, is supremely excellent, for in it the eternal Mother of the three worlds is directly praised.’ Skanda replied, ‘Who is able to describe in detail the greatness of the Śrī Bhāgavata? Listen, O Brahman, I will tell you briefly. She who is eternal, of the nature of existence, consciousness, and bliss, the Mother of the universe, is directly present there, bestowing enjoyment and liberation. Therefore, O sage, the Devī Bhāgavata is the very embodiment of Her speech; by reading or hearing it, nothing in this world is difficult to obtain.’ Skanda continued, ‘There was a son of Vivasvat known as Śrāddhadeva; being childless, the king performed a sacrifice as instructed by Vasiṣṭha…’” Thus, the tales of the greatness of the Goddess and the glory of Her Bhāgavata Purāṇa were sung, flowing from sage to sage, filling the hearts of devotees with joy, wisdom, and liberation.