Vasudeva, filled with reverence, approached the great sage Nārada with a heartfelt question. "O revered one," he asked, "who is this goddess of whom you speak? What is her power, O great lord? Please tell me, O divine sage, by what method should her worship be performed?" Nārada, the illustrious sage, replied with gentle humility, "O Vasudeva, listen to me briefly, for who indeed can fully describe the incomparable greatness of the goddess? She is the eternal, blessed one, whose very nature is existence, consciousness, and bliss. She is higher than the highest, the goddess by whom this entire world is pervaded. "It is by her worship that Brahmā creates all that moves and does not move in this universe. By praising her, he was freed from the fear of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. Through her grace, blessed Viṣṇu sustains the universe, and Rudra, by merely receiving her compassionate glance, brings about its dissolution. "She is the cause of both bondage and liberation, the giver of freedom. She is the supreme knowledge, the highest goddess, the ruler of all rulers. By worshipping the World-Mother according to the rite of Navarātra, and by listening for nine days to the ancient Bhāgavata that tells of her, one gains her blessings. Simply by hearing this sacred account, you will obtain a son; for those who recite or listen, enjoyment and liberation are not far away." Having spoken thus, Nārada was honored by Vasudeva, who bowed before him and, with great affection, addressed the eminent sage: "O revered one, your words have awakened memories of my own life. Please listen as I recount the origin of the goddess's greatness as it touched my own fate. "Long ago, it was foretold from heaven that Kamsa, my cousin, would meet his death at the hands of Devaki's eighth child. Out of fear, Kamsa wickedly imprisoned both me and my wife Devaki. Together we dwelled in that prison, while Kamsa, driven by evil, killed each of our sons the moment they were born. Six sons were thus slain, and Devaki, noble and gentle, was overwhelmed with grief and suffered ceaselessly, day and night. "In our sorrow, I called upon the sage Garga. Bowing before him, I honored him and revealed Devaki's suffering, expressing our longing for a living son. 'O revered one, ocean of compassion, guru of the Yadavas,' I pleaded, 'tell me, O sage, the means by which we may obtain a long-lived son.' "Sage Garga, his heart moved with kindness, spoke these supreme words to me: 'O Vasudeva, greatly fortunate one, listen to the highest means. Worship the blessed Goddess Durga, who removes the misfortune of her devotees. She is the auspicious one; by honoring her, you will quickly attain prosperity. All people who worship her gain their heart’s desires; nothing is difficult in this world for those who worship Durga.' "Overjoyed by these words, my wife and I bowed to the eminent sage with utmost devotion and said, 'If you, O Lord, ocean of mercy, have affection for me, then please, for my sake, worship Chandika. Imprisoned in Kamsa's house, I am powerless to act; O wise one, only you can rescue us from this ocean of sorrow.' "Thus addressed, sage Garga, pleased by my request, promised, 'O Vasudeva, out of my affection for you, I shall do what is beneficial.' Requested with such love, the sage departed, intending to worship Durga, accompanied by Brahmins, at Mount Vindhya. "There, upon arrival, the sage, devoted to prayer and recitation, worshipped the World-Mother, who fulfills the wishes of her devotees. When his observance was complete, a bodiless voice resounded: 'I am pleased, O sage; your purpose will be accomplished. For the removal of the earth's burden, I have sent Hari. He will descend, by his own portion, into Devaki, wife of Vasudeva. Out of fear of Kamsa, Anakadundubhi will take the child and deliver him to Nanda's house in Gokula. Taking Yashoda's daughter to his own house, Kamsa, ruler of the earth, will attempt to kill her, but she will escape. She will emerge from his hand, assume a divine form, and, becoming the very embodiment of intoxication, accomplish the good of the world on Mount Vindhya.' "Hearing these words, sage Garga, his heart serene, bowed to the Mother of the Universe and returned to Mathura. When I heard of the boon granted by the great Goddess, which brought happiness to Garga, both my wife and I were filled with joy. From that time onward, O divine sage, I have known the supreme glory of the Goddess, which you have now so beautifully described from your own lotus mouth. "Therefore, O Lord, I pray that you alone should recite the Bhāgavata of the Goddess. By my good fortune, O ocean of compassion, you have come to me, O divine sage." Hearing Vasudeva’s earnest words, Nārada, delighted in heart, began the narration on an auspicious day, under a favorable star. To remove all obstacles to the sacred telling, the twice-born sage chanted the nine-syllabled mantra and the hymn to the Goddess as spoken in the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa. Beginning with the first Skandha, Vasudeva listened with deep devotion to the nectar of the Bhāgavata as it flowed from Nārada’s lips. On the ninth day, when the narration was complete, Vasudeva, noble of mind, worshipped both the holy book and the reciter with satisfaction and gratitude. At this time, within a cave, a great battle was taking place between Krishna and Jāmbavat. Jāmbavat, weakened by Krishna’s blows, suddenly regained his memory. Bowing to the Blessed Lord with deep devotion, he begged forgiveness for his offense, saying, "I recognize you as the best of the Raghus, who, out of anger, agitated the lord of rivers and destroyed Rāvaṇa and his followers in Laṅkā.