Long ago, by the decree of heaven, Kamsa learned that his own death would come at the hands of Devaki's eighth child. Overcome by fear, that wicked king imprisoned both me and my wife, Devaki. Within the confines of that dark prison, we endured great suffering together, for Kamsa, cruel in his deeds, slew each of our sons the moment they were born. Six sons in all perished at his hands, and my noble wife Devaki was overwhelmed with grief, her heart heavy day and night. Unable to bear her sorrow, I sought a way to bring relief. Summoning the venerable sage Garga, I bowed before him and honored him with all reverence. Desiring a son, I revealed to him the depth of Devaki’s anguish. I addressed him, “O revered one, ocean of compassion, you are the guru of the Yadavas. Please tell me, O sage, how I might obtain a son who will live a long life.” Sage Garga, pleased at heart, spoke to me kindly. “O Vasudeva, greatly fortunate one, listen to the supreme means. Worship the blessed Goddess Durga, she who removes the misfortunes of devotees. She is the auspicious one; by worshipping her, prosperity will quickly come to you. Those who worship Durga find all their desires fulfilled—nothing in this world is difficult for them.” Hearing these words, joy blossomed within me. Together with Devaki, I bowed to the eminent sage with utmost devotion and spoke with hands joined, “If you, O Lord, ocean of mercy, have affection for me, then for my sake, please worship Chandika. Imprisoned in Kamsa’s house, I am unable to do anything myself. Therefore, O wise one, you alone must rescue me from this ocean of sorrow.” Thus entreated, Sage Garga, pleased and compassionate, replied, “O Vasudeva, out of affection for you, I shall do what is beneficial for you.” At my request, the sage departed with affection in his heart. He journeyed to Mount Vindhya, accompanied by Brahmins, intending to worship Durga. There, upon arriving, Sage Garga devoted himself to recitation and prayer, worshipping the World-Mother, she who grants the wishes of her devotees. When the observance was complete, a bodiless voice rang out: “I am pleased, O sage. Your purpose will be accomplished. For the removal of the burden of the earth, Hari has been sent by me; he will descend, by his own portion, into Devaki, wife of Vasudeva. Out of fear of Kamsa, Anakadundubhi will take the child and immediately 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 at once from his hand, assume a divine form, and, becoming the embodiment of intoxication, will accomplish the good of the world on Mount Vindhya.” Hearing these divine words, Sage Garga, 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 our teacher Garga, both Devaki and I were filled with joy. From that time onward, O divine sage, I have known the supreme glory of the Goddess, and now I hear it again from your lotus mouth. Therefore, O Lord, 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 my words, Narada, his mind delighted, 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 also the hymn to the Goddess as spoken in the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa. Beginning with the first Skandha, I, Vasudeva, listened with devotion to the nectar of the Bhāgavata as it flowed from the mouth of Śrī Nārada. On the ninth day, when the narration was completed, I worshipped the sacred book and the reciter with satisfaction. Meanwhile, within a cave, a fierce battle took place between Krishna and Jāmbavat. Jāmbavat, weakened by Krishna’s blows, regained his memory and bowed to the Blessed Lord. With deep devotion, he begged forgiveness for his offense, saying, “I have recognized you as the best of the Raghus, who, out of anger, agitated the lord of rivers and destroyed Rāvaṇa with his followers in Laṅkā. You are that same one, now as Krishna; forgive my wrongdoing, O Lord. Tell me what I must do—I am always your servant.” Hearing Jāmbavat’s words, the Lord of the universe replied, “O king of bears, we have come to this cave for the sake of the Syamantaka jewel.” Then, with his wife, the divine sage Narada, and Krishna present, the king of bears joyfully gave his own daughter, Jāmbavatī, to Krishna in marriage, honoring him, and also presented the Syamantaka jewel. Krishna, taking Jāmbavatī as his wife and placing the jewel on his neck, respectfully bid farewell to the king of bears and set out for Dvārakā. On the very day the narration was completed, I, Vasudeva, noble-minded, fed the brāhmaṇas and satisfied them with gifts. As the brāhmaṇas were bestowing blessings, Hari himself arrived, adorned with the jewel and accompanied by his wife. Seeing Krishna together with his wife, and with me at the forefront, the eyes of all present filled with tears of joy, and we attained supreme happiness. Then the divine sage Narada, delighted by Krishna's arrival, after greeting me, saw Krishna proceed 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—becomes filled with happiness, achieves success in all worldly desires, and, at the end of their life, attains the path of liberation. Sūta now says: "O best of sages, listen also to another ancient tale, wherein the greatness of this Devī Bhāgavata is sung.