Hearing the king’s earnest words, the sage Lomaśa was filled with delight and spoke warmly, “O king, you are truly blessed! For devotion to the Mother of the Three Worlds has arisen in your heart.” He continued, “She is the Supreme Mother, revered by gods, demons, and humans alike. If you have awakened such devotion to her, surely your highest aim will be fulfilled.” With this assurance, Lomaśa said, “Therefore, O king, I shall recite to you the glorious Bhāgavata Purāṇa. Simply by listening to its sacred narration, there is nothing that cannot be attained.” Having promised this, the sage awaited an auspicious day. When the time was right, he began the holy narration. The king, accompanied by his queen, listened attentively and reverently to the recitation, not once but five times in proper manner. On the final day, when the narration was complete, the righteous king was overcome with joy. He worshipped both the sacred Purāṇa and the venerable sage Lomaśa with deep gratitude. As part of his devotion, the king performed oblations using the sacred Navārṇa mantra, fed maidens and married couples, and bestowed gifts to satisfy them all. In due course, by the grace of the Goddess, the queen conceived a child—a soul destined for the welfare of the world. When the auspicious hour arrived, with all the planets favorably aligned and signs of good fortune everywhere, Queen Revati gave birth to a son. The king, upon hearing of his son’s birth, was filled with immense joy. He bathed and performed the birth rites, using water sanctified with gold. In gratitude, he gave gifts and pleased the Brahmins. After conducting the initiation ceremony for his son, he ensured the complete Vedas were taught to the boy. This son was named Raivata—a repository of all knowledge, righteous, foremost among masters of weapons, a speaker and doer of dharma, and powerful in every way. In time, Brahma himself appointed Raivata to the exalted position of Manu. Thus, as the illustrious ruler of the Manvantara, Raivata governed with righteousness. So, the sage explained, the wondrous power of the Goddess had been described in brief. “Who can truly recount the full greatness of this Purāṇa?” he mused, for its glory is beyond measure. Then Suta spoke: “Having heard the greatness and the procedure of the Bhāgavata from the womb-born sage, and having worshipped Kumara, the king returned to his own hermitage.” Suta addressed the assembled Brahmins, “I have narrated to you the greatness of the Bhāgavata. Whoever listens to or recites it here with devotion, after enjoying all the pleasures of life, attains liberation in the end.” At this, the sages eagerly addressed Suta: “O Suta, most fortunate one, we have heard of its supreme greatness. Now, we wish to learn the proper procedure for listening to the Purāṇa.” Suta replied, “O sages, listen carefully to the procedure for hearing the Purāṇa, by which all desires are fulfilled. First, an astrologer should be summoned to determine an auspicious time. The recitation should begin in a pure month and continue for six months, bringing auspiciousness. The most favorable times are under the stars Hasta, Ashwini, Mula, Pushya, Brahma, Maitra, Indu, and Vaishnava—on days and hours that are auspicious for such a sacred undertaking.” He continued, “By the influence of the qualities of Guru, Bhadra, Veda, Abja, Sharanga, and Abhidhiguṇa, in proper sequence, one attains dharma, prosperity, success in the narration, and supreme happiness. Relief from suffering, protection from rulers, attainment of knowledge, and other fruits follow in order. As prescribed by Shiva, the area for the narration must be purified.” Suta explained further, “Alternatively, for the pleasure of the Goddess, one may listen during any month, especially during the four Navaratri festivals, after ensuring the date, day, and star are pure. All necessary arrangements should be made, as one would for weddings and other great ceremonies. In this sacred sacrifice, the wise should carefully perform all required acts. Many companions should be engaged—free from deceit and greed, clever, generous, and devoted to the Goddess.” He instructed, “Messengers must diligently spread word in every region and among all people, inviting everyone to attend, for the Goddess’s narrative is to take place. Followers of Surya, Ganapati, Shiva, Shakti, and Vishnu—all should participate, as the gods and their powers are honored here. Those who thirst for the nectar-like essence of the glorious Devi Bhāgavata, especially those who love the narrative, should come.” “All—Brahmins and other castes, women, and those in various stages of life, whether with desires or free from them—should partake in the nectar of the narration. At no time should there be even talk of eating; everyone should arrive at the proper time for the sacrifice and remain only as long as is meritorious. All dealings with the people should be conducted with humility, and suitable lodging should be provided for those who have come.” Suta described how the place for the narration should be prepared: “It must be on clean ground, smeared with cow dung, in a spacious and pleasing area. A beautiful pavilion should be constructed, adorned with plantain pillars. Above, let there be canopies, banners, and flags. A divine seat, furnished with soft coverings, should be arranged for the speaker, facing east or north. Appropriate seats must also be provided for all listeners, both men and women.” He explained, “The best speaker is one who is eloquent, self-controlled, learned in scripture, devoted to the worship of the Goddess, compassionate, unattached, skillful, and steadfast. The listener, too, should be devoted to Brahman, a worshipper of the gods, intent on the essence of the narration, generous, not greedy, humble, and free from violence. One who is heretical, greedy, lustful, a hypocrite, harsh, or prone to anger is not recommended as a speaker in the Goddess’s sacrifice. For resolving doubts, there should be a learned and virtuous person who instructs the listeners, remains undistracted, and assists the speaker.” Suta concluded, “At an auspicious time during the day, the speaker, listeners, and others should perform shaving and similar rites, and then undertake the prescribed observances. At sunrise, after bathing and purification, one should briefly perform the daily rites of twilight worship and offerings to the ancestors.” Thus, Suta lovingly instructed the sages in the sacred procedure, ensuring that the glory of the Goddess and her Purāṇa would be heard in the most auspicious and reverent manner.