With a heart weighed down by remorse, the humble devotee approached Hari and poured out his lament: “O Lord, my hands are slow to give, my words are tainted with falsehood, my ears eagerly seek out evil talk. I beg you, Hari, remove these faults from your servant, for you are the destroyer of all defects in those who seek your refuge. “O slayer of Naraka, even though I have gained the sturdy boat of your devotion to cross this dreadful ocean of worldly existence, still, I am tossed about by fate, my mind is wicked, and my days are spent in sorrow. “Is there a radiant path, free from suffering, full of compassion and grace, that leads across this ocean of the world? My vision is blinded by the darkness of delusion, and I cannot turn myself toward you, O Vishnu. “Though I am sinful and my mind is lost and ruined, the cause of my own downfall, yet, O slayer of Keshi, today—even if only in a dream—I behold you, whose lotus feet are worshipped by all the gods.” Hearing these words, Vyasa says, the Blessed Lord, consort of Lakshmi, the knower of all speech, and the one who carries souls across the ocean of worldly existence, spoke with kindness: “O best of Brahmins, your devotion has always pleased me. Therefore, very soon, all good fortune will come to you. “Even before this, I delivered you from sin, O Brahmin. Now, as my devotee, no misfortune will befall you.” The Brahmin, filled with wonder, asked, “O Vishnu, who was I in my previous existence? What sin did I commit, and how did you deliver me from it in the past? How was I born in this world, and how did you bring me forth? Please, O compassionate Lord, tell me everything.” The Blessed Lord replied, “Though this is a secret not usually revealed, O best of the twice-born, still, out of affection for you, I shall tell you. Listen carefully. “In a former life, O foremost of Brahmins, you were born in the lineage of birds, having arisen on earth as a result of your own actions. Tormented constantly by hunger and thirst, you wandered about, eating insects and drinking water from hot springs. Enduring various kinds of suffering, you lived as a bird on earth for four thousand years. “One day, a Brahmin named Kulabhadra, knower of all truths, worshipped me with devotion and offerings on the riverbank. After his worship, he left the rice he had offered to me there and returned home. “Driven by hunger, you descended from a tree and ate all the rice connected to my offering. By eating that sanctified food, you were immediately freed from terrible sins. When your time on earth ended, O Brahmin, you went to the realm of death. “To bring you forth, I sent my own messengers in every way. They placed you—now purified from sin—on a chariot and brought you to my supreme abode, where you remained in my presence for thousands of aeons, enjoying pleasures even the gods find difficult to attain. “Afterward, you were born again in a pure Brahmin family. There, your devotion to me grew exceedingly firm. Through constant practice of rites and worship, you honored me, O best of the twice-born. “At the end of this life, by my grace, you will attain my own abode. When I am pleased, even a sinful soul attains liberation. But if I am displeased, even a virtuous soul becomes subject to sin. Therefore, O Brahmin, good fortune to you, for you are devoted to me and steadfast in your vows. “I will grant you the supreme place, which even the gods cannot attain.” The Brahmin replied, “O Lord, by your grace I have heard the story of my former existence. Now, I wish to know more. Please tell me, O Lord of gods: with whom are you pleased, and with whom are you displeased? Out of compassion, please reveal this to me.” The Blessed Lord answered, “O best of Brahmins, listen as I briefly explain the actions that bring me pleasure and those that arouse my anger. “One who is always compassionate toward all beings, who is free from pride, who acts for my sake and is devoted to righteousness, who speaks peacefully for my sake, who offers to me whatever desirable things he obtains, who remains the same in honor and dishonor, who sees me abiding in the bodies of all beings, who is free from harming others, who carefully considers before acting, who seeks the welfare of cows and Brahmins, who diligently keeps his promises, who earnestly welcomes those who seek refuge, who gives gifts to those who cannot repay, and whose mind is always fixed on me—toward such a one I am always pleased. These are, in brief, the actions that win my favor. “Now hear what angers me. I am always angry with one who delights in harming others, who is merciless toward all creatures. I treat as my enemy one who speaks falsely, is cruel, and slanders others; one who destroys the works of poets; one who, without reason, abandons his parents, wife, brother, or sister; the fool who, out of delusion, abandons them; the foolish man who rebukes his parents; one who shows disrespect to his teacher; those who cut down groves or destroy reservoirs; those who destroy villages; and those who, upon seeing another’s wife, fall into despair. “In this way, O Brahmin, I have revealed to you the actions that please and displease me.