At the appointed time, the Brāhmaṇa killed the mouse. The creature’s small body was soon drenched in flowing streams of blood, and, overwhelmed by pain, it fell to the ground. Observing the suffering of the mouse, the compassionate Brāhmaṇa was moved to pity. He cried out in distress and quickly rose to his feet. From his own ear, he took a fine leaf of tulasī and, with gentle hands, placed it upon the mouth, head, and ears of the dying mouse. He prayed fervently, “O Mother Tulasī, goddess, bringer of delight to Govinda, for this mouse, who has committed sin, grant the highest state.” Having uttered this heartfelt plea, the noble Brāhmaṇa—the benefactor of all the worlds—raised his voice and called out the sacred names: “Hari, Nārāyaṇa, Ananta.” By the touch of the tulasī leaf, the mouse was freed from all sin. By hearing the name of Hari, he was released from the bondage of birth. In that very moment, the messengers of the great Viṣṇu, adorned with all auspicious marks, arrived swiftly in resplendent chariots to receive the purified mouse. Surrounded by the hosts of Viṣṇu’s attendants, the mouse ascended a celestial chariot and, O best of twice-born, journeyed to the supreme abode, having dwelt in Nārāyaṇa’s hermitage for countless ages. There, the mouse 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.” With these words, the narrative turns, offering salutations to Śrī Viṣṇu. May the pure waters of Puṣkara—white as the moon, foaming from the play of elephants and makaras, served by the foremost Brāhmaṇas devoted to vows, sanctified by the gaze of Brahmā, adorned with beauty and delight, and remover of all inauspiciousness—may that sacred water purify you. In this sacred setting, the wise disciple of Vyāsa, named Lomaharṣaṇa, also known as Ugraśravas, sat apart as the Sūta. Having visited the hermitages of the sages and inquired deeply into dharma, he was now ready to speak fully of all he had heard. All the Purāṇas and the teachings of Vedavyāsa had been imparted to him, and he was urged to share them with the assembled sages. At Prayāga, the best of sages had once asked the Lord himself about dharma. Desiring a holy land, they were guided by the Lord—divine in form, truthful, and of auspicious valor—to Sunābha. The Lord instructed them, “This matchless wheel, which moves tirelessly, you should follow without distraction; by doing so, you will attain the good that is sought. Wherever the rim of the wheel of dharma, as it moves, does not break, that place is holy.” Having spoken thus, the Lord vanished from their sight. The rim broke where the currents of the Ganges converged. At that sacred spot, Naimiṣa, the sages performed a great and lengthy sacrifice. Lomaharṣaṇa, the Sūta, was sent there to address their questions about dharma. Arriving among the wise and eminent sages, he greeted them with joined palms. His respectful salutation pleased the assembly, and they honored him as was proper. The sages inquired, “From where have you come, O Sūta? From what land do you arrive?” Lomaharṣaṇa replied, “I was instructed by my father, the wise disciple of Vyāsa: ‘Go to the sages, serve them, and speak to them whatever they ask.’ Let the venerable ones address me, and I will narrate the story they desire, whether it is ancient legend, history, or the various kinds of dharma.” The sages listened to his sweet words. Among them, a strong desire arose to hear the Purāṇa, for they saw in Lomaharṣaṇa a learned and trustworthy narrator. In that assembly was Śaunaka, head of the family, thoroughly learned in all the scriptures, wise, and teacher in the forest of knowledge. Relying on his wisdom, Śaunaka addressed the Sūta: “O Lomaharṣaṇa, of great intellect, you are the foremost knower of Brahman. Vyāsa, having been properly served, drew forth from you a pure mind devoted to the Purāṇas, for the sake of understanding history and ancient lore. Among these foremost Brāhmaṇas, there is now a desire to hear the Purāṇa; you should recite it to them. All these great souls, assembled from various lineages, are expounders of Brahman; let each hear the portions of the Purāṇa relevant to them. In this long and complete sacrificial session, you must narrate to the sages the Padma Purāṇa in its entirety, O greatly wise one. Tell us how the lotus arose, how Brahmā came to be there, and how creation was accomplished by the one who emerged.” Thus questioned, Lomaharṣaṇa replied with auspicious words, speaking concisely and in accordance with reason. “I am pleased and honored by you, who are devoted to all dharmas and knowledgeable in the Purāṇas, for urging me to speak on the meaning of the Purāṇa. All that I have heard and that is well known, I will tell you; for this is the eternal duty of the Sūta, as recognized by the virtuous. The preservation of the lineages of the gods, sages, and kings of immeasurable splendor, and the praises of the great souls, must be undertaken. Those who are expounders of Brahman are seen in the histories and Purāṇas; for no Sūta is seen to have authority in the Vedas.” Thus, the stage was set for the narration of the sacred Purāṇa, as tradition and duty demanded.