In that blessed kingdom, the blight of famine was lifted, and the people rejoiced in newfound happiness, free from sorrow and disease. Prosperity returned: wealth, grain, and all manner of riches abounded. The people, steadfast in righteousness, flourished under the protection of their king, who had vanquished bandits and ensured the safety of his subjects. Delighting in their own duties, everyone performed their roles with devotion, and the clouds bestowed rain as desired. Through these virtuous deeds, both ancestors and descendants attained liberation, freed from sin—faultless, wealthy, and honored by all the worlds. Thus, the lineage prospered, untouched by sorrow or disease. At this point, Lomaśa addressed the two delighted Brāhmaṇas, saying, “I have recounted to you the greatness of guest worship through this story. Tell me, what else would you like to hear?” As Lomaśa, renowned for his austerities, spoke, an unusual event occurred: a black rat, seized by the force of time, emerged from its hole, agitated and angry. As it surfaced, voices rose, declaring, “This mouse, with wicked intent, is evil; at night, it digs in the hermitage with its sharp teeth, destroying household goods.” It was then said that compassion is praised as the highest virtue among all classes and should be extended to all beings—yet not to those who are wicked. With these words, the mouse was struck with a sharp spear and killed at the proper moment. Blood streamed from its body as it fell to the ground, its senses overwhelmed by pain. Witnessing this, the compassionate Brāhmaṇa was moved to distress. Rising quickly, he took a fine tulasī leaf from his ear and gently placed it on the mouth, head, and ears of the fallen mouse. He prayed, “O Mother Tulasī, goddess, bringer of delight to Govinda—grant the highest state to this mouse, who has committed sin.” Then, the noble Brāhmaṇa, benefactor of all worlds, loudly uttered the names “Hari, Nārāyaṇa, Ananta.” By the touch of the tulasī leaf, the mouse was freed from its sins, and by hearing the name of Hari, it was released from the bondage of birth. Suddenly, the divine messengers of Viṣṇu, adorned with all auspicious marks, arrived with celestial chariots to receive the mouse, now purified of sin. Mounting the radiant chariot, surrounded by Viṣṇu’s attendants, the mouse, who had dwelt in Nārāyaṇa’s hermitage for countless ages, reached the supreme abode. There, it attained knowledge and liberation. Vyāsa then said, “Thus, O best of Brāhmaṇas, I have told you the greatness of goddess Tulasī. Now, O highly fortunate one, tell me what you wish to hear next.” With reverence, salutation was offered to Śrī Viṣṇu. May the pure waters of Puṣkara—white as the moon, foaming from the play of elephants and makaras, served by devoted Brāhmaṇas, sanctified by the gaze of Brahmā, adorned with beauty and delight, and remover of all inauspiciousness—may those waters purify you. At this time, Lomaharṣaṇa, also known as Ugraśravas, the wise disciple of Vyāsa, sat apart as the Sūta. He had visited the hermitages of sages, inquired deeply about dharma, and was now prepared to share what he had learned. Vyāsa had imparted to him all the Purāṇas and teachings, instructing him to teach them in detail to the sages. At Prayāga, the best of sages had once asked the Lord himself about dharma, and, seeking a holy land, were guided by the Lord to Sunābha, who was divine in form and valor. The Lord instructed them, “Follow this matchless wheel, which moves tirelessly; where its rim does not break, that place is holy.” Having spoken, the Lord vanished, and the rim broke where the currents of the Ganges gathered. Thereafter, at Naimiṣa, the sages performed a great and lengthy sacrifice. Vyāsa advised Lomaharṣaṇa to go there and speak to the assembled sages, answering their questions about dharma. Thus, Ugraśravas went to those wise and eminent sages and greeted them with joined palms. His respectful salutation pleased the sacrificers, and they honored him as was fitting. The sages inquired, “From where have you come, O Sūta? What land do you hail from? Tell us, according to tradition, why you are here.” The Sūta replied, “My father, the wise disciple of Vyāsa, instructed me to serve the sages and speak to them whatever they ask. Let your venerable assembly address me, and I will narrate the stories you desire—be they ancient legends, histories, or teachings of dharma.” Hearing his sweet words, the best of sages were eager to listen. Among them, the desire to hear the Purāṇa arose, for they saw Laumaharṣaṇa, the trustworthy and learned one, before them. In that assembly was the venerable Śaunaka, head of the family, thoroughly learned in all the scriptures, wise, and teacher in the forest of knowledge. Trusting in his wisdom, the seeker of dharma addressed him, “O Sūta, of great intellect, you are the foremost knower of Brahman.