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By Jaya Gaursundar Dasa GauraVanacari<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavata Pur\u0101\u1e47a <\/p>\n Just as Ga\u1e45g\u0101 is the greatest of all rivers, \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavata Pur\u0101\u1e47a is greatest among all Pur\u0101\u1e47as. When we worship Mother Ga\u1e45g\u0101 the reservoir of holy water, we take palm full water from the river and with devotion we put it back into the river. Similarly this humble attempt of writing on the topic of Bh\u0101gavata Pur\u0101\u1e47a is done even though this Pur\u0101\u1e47a is the reservoir of everything. It is like taking any paraphernalia for worshiping the supreme Lord which originates and belongs to Him and offering back to Him with love and devotion. From this reservoir I am taking bits and peace and repeating here for my own purification and spiritual satisfaction similar to the feeling of satisfaction a hungry man has for every morsel of food he eats. The more one eats while hungry, the more one feels satisfaction and strength. Before glorifying this \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavata Pur\u0101\u1e47a, I offer respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, N\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a, unto Nara-n\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a \u1e5a\u1e63i, the super most human being, unto mother Sarasvat\u012b, the goddess of learning, and unto \u015ar\u012bla Vy\u0101sadeva, the author. n\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a\u1e41 namask\u1e5btya nara\u1e41 caiva narottamam Introduction: <\/b> Bh\u0101gavata Pur\u0101\u1e47a is also known as \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavata Mah\u0101 Pur\u0101\u1e47a, \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavatam or Bh\u0101gavata. Definition of Bh\u0101gavata Pur\u0101\u1e47a is given in Garuda Pur\u0101\u1e47a (Quoted in CC M.25.143-144)as follows: artho ‘yam\u0301 brahma-s\u016btr\u0101n\u0323\u0101m\u0301 bh\u0101rat\u0101rtha-vinirn\u0323ayah\u0323 g\u0101yatr\u012b-bh\u0101s\u0323ya-r\u016bpo ‘sau ved\u0101rtha-paribr\u0323m\u0301hitah\u0323 pur\u0101n\u0323\u0101n\u0101m\u0301 s\u0101ma-r\u016bpah\u0323 s\u0101ks\u0323\u0101d-bhagavatoditah\u0323 dv\u0101da\u015ba-skandha-yukto ‘yam\u0301 \u015bata-viccheda-sam\u0301yutah\u0323 grantho ‘s\u0323t\u0323\u0101da\u015ba-s\u0101hasrah\u0323 \u015br\u012bmad-bh\u0101gavat\u0101bhidhah\u0323 <\/i> According to Mu\u1e47\u1e0daka Upani\u1e63ad<\/i> (1.1.4-5), there are two kinds of educational systems: One deals with transcendental knowledge [par\u0101 vidy\u0101<\/i>] and the other with material knowledge [apar\u0101 vidy\u0101<\/i>].<\/i> All the Vedas along with their corollaries belong to the inferior system of material knowledge [apar\u0101 vidy\u0101] As far as the Vedic literature is concerned; the Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra is accepted as the par\u0101 vidy\u0101. \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is an explanation of that par\u0101 vidy\u0101. \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam gives the actual meaning of the Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra. Author of Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra is Vy\u0101sadeva, and he himself has explained those aphorisms in the form of \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam. Thus \u015ar\u012bmad- Bh\u0101gavatam is bona fide commentary on the Vedanta-sutra by the same author, Srila Vy\u0101sadeva. Any literature giving information about the spiritual world, spiritual life, spiritual identity and the spirit soul is called par\u0101 vidy\u0101. \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam does not have anything to do with the materialistic way of life; it gives transcendental information to educate people in the superior system of par\u0101 vidy\u0101. As stated in \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/i> itself (12.13.18): \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is the spotless Pur\u0101\u1e47a. It is most dear to the Vai\u1e63\u1e47avas because it describes the pure and supreme knowledge of the paramaha\u1e41sas. This Bh\u0101gavatam reveals the means for becoming free from all material work, together with the processes of transcendental knowledge, renunciation and devotion. Anyone who seriously tries to understand \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam, who properly hears and chants it with devotion, becomes completely liberated.<\/p>\n \u015br\u012bmad-bh\u0101gavata\u1e41 pur\u0101\u1e47am amala\u1e41 yad vai\u1e63\u1e47av\u0101n\u0101\u1e41 priya\u1e41 Although \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/i> is counted among the Pur\u0101\u1e47as,<\/i> it is called the spotless Pur\u0101\u1e47a.<\/i> Because it does not discuss anything material, it is liked by transcendental Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava devotees. The subject matter found in \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/i> is meant for paramaha\u1e41sas. <\/i>A paramaha\u1e41sa<\/i> is one who does not live in the material world and who does not envy others. In \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam,<\/i> devotional service is discussed to arouse the living entity to the transcendental position of j\u00f1\u0101na<\/i> (knowledge) and vair\u0101gya<\/i> (renunciation). As stated in \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/i> (1.2.12):<\/p>\n tac chraddadh\u0101n\u0101\u1e25 munayo j\u00f1\u0101na-vair\u0101gya-yuktay\u0101 \u201cThe seriously inquisitive student or sage, well equipped with knowledge and detachment, realizes that Absolute Truth by rendering devotional service in terms of what he has heard from the Ved\u0101nta-\u015bruti<\/i>.\u201d Supreme Absolute Truth personally revealed this incomparable torchlight of knowledge \u015ar\u012bmad<\/a>–Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a>, the great supplement of Vedic literature, which is equal to all the Vedas, to Brahm\u0101. Brahm\u0101 then spoke it to the sage N\u0101rada, who narrated it to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a-Dvaip\u0101yana Vy\u0101sa. \u015ar\u012bla Vy\u0101sa delivered it to his son, the greatest of sages, \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b after extracting the cream (s\u0101ram\u0301 s\u0101ram\u0301) of all Vedic literatures and histories of the universe ”sarva-vedetih\u0101s\u0101n\u0101m\u0301 s\u0101ram\u0301 s\u0101ram\u0301 samuddhr\u0323tam<\/i>\u201d(SB 1.3.41) at the end of the Dv\u0101para-yuga. adh\u012btav\u0101n dv\u0101par\u0101dau pitur dvaip\u0101yan\u0101d aham<\/i> (SB 1.2.8)\u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b then mercifully spoke it to Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Par\u012bk\u1e63it. He said to Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Par\u012bk\u1e63it ‘my dear King, although I was fully situated in the transcendental position, I was nonetheless attracted to the pastimes of Lord Kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a<\/a>.\u2019 The total number of verses in all the Pur\u0101\u1e47as is four hundred thousand and with itih\u0101sas (histories) verses amount to 525,000, the largest number of verses known in human society. Bh\u0101gavatam is the great supplement of Vedic literature, which is equal to all the Vedas. While the Vedas cover many subjects necessary for human civilization, \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is a purely transcendental literature whose purpose is to awaken our love for \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. It deals exclusively with subjects about the Supreme Personality of Godhead our relationship with Him, and the process for realizing that relationship. All the verses give detailed accounts of Supreme Lord’s names, forms, nature, personality, devotees, activities, residences, and much more. \u015ar\u012bmad means “beautiful” or “opulent,” and Bh\u0101gavatam means “related to God.” Hence, \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam can be translated as “The Beautiful Story of God.” It is the literary incarnation of Lord \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and is therefore non-different from Him. Lord Himself manifested as \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam. Therefore \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/i> should be worshiped as respectfully as we worship the Lord. <\/p>\n All religious activities which are materially motivated are completely rejected from this Pur\u0101n\u0323a. The reading matter is so arranged that one is sure to become a God-realized soul at the end of finishing the first nine cantos. The tenth canto is distinct from first nine cantos because it deals directly with the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a Bh\u0101gavatam\u2019s eighteen thousand verses contain hundreds of conversations between self-realized kings, yogis and sages of the ancient world on the subject of how to achieve perfection in life, including descriptions of various incarnations and activities of \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a \u2014the Supreme Person\u2014and His devotees throughout history. It covers several topics like ancient atomic calculations of time, accurate astronomical readings taken 5,000 years ago, descriptions of life on other planets, detailed study of the development of the embryo in the womb from the moment of conception, and prediction of Buddha’s arrival 2,500 years earlier and much more. <\/p>\n A conditioned soul is one who has forgotten Kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a suffers the threefold miseries of material existence. Saintly persons (s\u0101dhus), Vais\u0323n\u0323ava devotees of the Lord, preach Kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a consciousness on the basis of the Vedic literature. It is only by their mercy that the conditioned soul is awakened to Kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a consciousness. m\u0101y\u0101-mugdha j\u012bvera n\u0101hi svatah\u0323 kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a-j\u00f1\u0101na j\u012bvere kr\u0323p\u0101ya kail\u0101 kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a veda-pur\u0101n\u0323a<\/i> –“The conditioned soul cannot revive his Kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a consciousness by his own effort. But out of causeless mercy, Lord Kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a compiled the Vedic literature and its supplements, the Pur\u0101n\u0323as. <\/p>\n ‘\u015b\u0101stra-guru-\u0101tma’-r\u016bpe \u0101pan\u0101re j\u0101n\u0101na ‘kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a mora prabhu, tr\u0101t\u0101’ \u2014 j\u012bvera haya j\u00f1\u0101na<\/i> –“The forgetful conditioned soul is educated by Kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a through the Vedic literatures, the realized spiritual master and the Supersoul. Through these, he can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead as He is, and he can understand that Lord Kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a is his eternal master and deliverer from the clutches of m\u0101y\u0101. In this way one can acquire real knowledge and can come to understand how to attain liberation. <\/p>\n sarvaj\u00f1a munira v\u0101kya \u2014 \u015b\u0101stra-‘param\u0101n\u0323a’ \u0101m\u0101-sab\u0101 j\u012bvera haya \u015b\u0101stra-dv\u0101r\u0101 ‘j\u00f1\u0101na’ <\/i>— “The Vedic literatures composed by the omniscient Mah\u0101muni Vy\u0101sadeva are evidence of all spiritual existence. Only through these revealed scriptures can all conditioned souls attain knowledge. <\/p>\n The material miseries of the living entity can be directly mitigated by the linking process of devotional service. But the mass of people do not know this, and therefore the learned Vy\u0101sadeva compiled this Vedic literature. anarthopa\u015bamam\u0301 s\u0101ks\u0323\u0101d bhakti-yogam adhoks\u0323aje lokasy\u0101j\u0101nato vidv\u0101m\u0301\u015b cakre s\u0101tvata-sam\u0301hit\u0101m<\/i> (SB 1.7.6) <\/p>\n Lord \u015ar\u012b Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu declared that \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/i> is the spotless sound representation of all Vedic knowledge and history. \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is the summum bonum of life, Lord \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a personified. We must therefore accept \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam as the direct representation of Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. It is the literary incarnation of Lord \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and is therefore non-different from Him. One who can see \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam can see also Lord \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a in person because they are identical. There are selected histories of great devotees who are in direct contact with the Personality of Godhead. It is compiled by \u015ar\u012bla Vy\u0101sadeva, the incarnation of God. It is meant for the ultimate good of all people, and it is all-successful, all-blissful and all-perfect. It propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are fully pure in heart (SB 1.3.40. P). This Bh\u0101gavata Pur\u0101\u1e47a is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the Age of Kali shall get light from this Pur\u0101\u1e47a. k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47e sva-dh\u0101mopagate dharma-j\u00f1\u0101n\u0101dibhi\u1e25 saha Importance and of Historical account of Bh\u0101gavata Pur\u0101\u1e47a:<\/b><\/p>\n All the Vedas are emanations from the breathing of the Supreme Being and they are Sruti, Smrti, and Pur\u0101n\u0323as. Originally preserved through oral tradition, the Vedas were first put into writing by Srila Vy\u0101sadeva\u2014editor of the Vedas. Pur\u0101n\u0323as are the oldest historical records of the activities of Rsi\u2019s and R\u0101jarsis. There are eighteen Pur\u0101n\u0323as divided according to nature of people in three modes of material nature, six of each Pur\u0101n\u0323as namely S\u0101ttvika, R\u0101jasika and T\u0101masika Pur\u0101n\u0323as. After compiling the eighteen Pur\u0101n\u0323as, Vy\u0101sadeva, composed the entire Mah\u0101bh\u0101rata, which contains the essence of all the Pur\u0101n\u0323as. It consists of over one hundred thousand verses and is filled with all the ideas of the Veda. In one of the opening chapters, the narrator explains that the sage Vy\u0101sadeva, who wrote portions of the Vedic literature and compiled the rest, felt dissatisfied despite his accomplishments. So he told his spiritual teacher that he felt strangely empty despite completing such a monumental task. His preceptor replied that he needed to explore more pure and spiritual topics, especially knowledge of Krishna. Under the order of his guru, he then embarked on writing \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam, which is considered the ripe fruit of the tree of the Vedas. Srila Vy\u0101sadeva was inspired to present their profound essence in the form of \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam and as his own commentary on Vedanta-sutra, the essence of all theistic knowledge.<\/i> \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam gives direct information of the mellow derived from service to Kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a therefore it is above all other Vedic literatures. Besides it is compiled by the great sage Vy\u0101sadeva (in his maturity) and is sufficient in itself for God realization then what is the need of any other scripture? \u015br\u012bmad<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>bh\u0101gavate<\/i><\/a>mah\u0101<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>muni<\/i><\/a>-kr\u0323te kim\u0301 v\u0101 parair \u012b\u015bvarah\u0323? <\/i> Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a Himself originally spoke \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam to Brahm\u0101 and then continued to speak this literature through the agency of N\u0101rada Muni, Dvaip\u0101yana Vy\u0101sa, \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b and other great sages. In other words, whenever saintly devotees vibrate \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam, it is to be understood that Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a Himself is speaking the Absolute Truth through the agency of His pure representatives. Anyone who submissively hears this literature from the Lord\u2019s bona fide devotees transcends his conditioned state and becomes qualified to meditate upon the Absolute Truth and serve Him. Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101 is the sound incarnation of the Lord because it is spoken by the Supreme Lord, and \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is the sound representative of the Lord because it was spoken by the incarnation of the Lord about the activities of the Lord. The Personality of Godhead, \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a spoke the Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101<\/i> specifically and eradicated all pretentious principles of religiosity. And prior to His departure from this material world, He empowered \u015ar\u012b Vy\u0101sadeva through N\u0101rada to compile the messages of the \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam,<\/i> and thus both the Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101<\/i> and the \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/i> are like torchbearers for the blind people of this age. Just as Arjuna was placed into material confusion so that Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101 might be spoken, so King Par\u012bk\u1e63it, a pure, liberated devotee of the Lord, was cursed to die so that \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam might be spoken. Actually, King Par\u012bk\u1e63it is vi\u1e63\u1e47u-r\u0101ta, eternally under the protection of the Lord. \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b liberated the king from his so-called illusion to exhibit the merciful nature of a pure devotee and the enlightening effect of his association. <\/p>\n Content of \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam: <\/b>The main theme running throughout the Bh\u0101gavatam is the science and practice of bhakti-yoga, devotional service to the Supreme Person. Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101 is the preliminary study of the Bh\u0101gavatam. \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam begins where the Bhagavad-Gita leaves off, since it goes even further into the nature of reality and the relationship between all beings and the Absolute. \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is a treatise that explains the science of God in detail, including His creation, His eternal activities, the path to attain Him, and the lives of some of His great devotees. There are 12 cantos, or subdivisions, and each area of knowledge is presented in a separate canto. The cantos are: Creation, The Cosmic Manifestation, The Status Quo, The Creation of the Fourth Order, The Creative Impetus, and Prescribed Duties for Mankind, The Science of God, Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations, Liberation, The Summum Bonum, Krishna’s Final Instructions, and The Age of Deterioration. Ten subject matters in S.B. known as Amnaya are: 1) Sarga- Canto 3, 2) Visarga- Canto 4, 3) Sthanam- Canto 5- description of planetary system. Sumeru, sapta dvipa. Etc. 4)Posanam- canto 6- Describes E.g. Ajamil, Vrtrasura and their surrender. 5)Utaya- Canto 7 \u2013describes divine nature an opposite of it, demoniac nature. 6)Manavantaras- canto 8 – Story of Gajendra from previous millennium. 7)Isanukatha- Canto 9- Describes different incarnations of the Lord. 8) Nirodha- Canto 10- uproots anarthas. E.g. yoga means cittavrtti nirodha. 9) Mukti- Canto 11- Uddhava gita, by hearing attentively one gets liberated. And 10)Asraya- Canto 12 – Taking shelter of Krishna by chanting His Holy name. Other topics include the subtle and gross movements of time, the generation of the lotus from the navel of Garbhodaka\u015b\u0101y\u012b Vi\u1e63\u1e47u, the creation of demigods, animals, demoniac species of life, cosmology, genealogy, geography etc. It also discusses how \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and Lord of the universe, descended into this Yadu dynasty, how He took birth in the home of Vasudeva, and how He then grew up in Gokula \u2014 all this is described in detail.<\/p>\n Effect of studying\/<\/b> Reading SB: <\/b> \u015ar\u012b Kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Param\u0101tm\u0101 [Supersoul] in everyone’s heart, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee. hr\u0323dy <\/i>antah\u0323<\/i><\/a> stho hy <\/i>abhadr\u0101n\u0323i<\/i><\/a>vidhunoti<\/i><\/a>suhr\u0323t<\/i><\/a>sat\u0101m<\/i><\/a>. By regular attendance in classes on the Bh\u0101gavatam all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed. nas\u0323t\u0323a<\/i><\/a>-pr\u0101yes\u0323v <\/i>abhadres\u0323u<\/i><\/a>nityam\u0301<\/i><\/a>bh\u0101gavata<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>sevay\u0101<\/i><\/a>by serving devotees one gains affinity for hearing the messages of V\u0101sudeva. \u015bu\u015br\u016bs\u0323oh\u0323<\/i><\/a>\u015braddadh\u0101nasya<\/i><\/a>v\u0101sudeva<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>kath\u0101<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>rucih\u0323<\/i><\/a>.<\/i>Therefore, tasm\u0101d <\/i>with one-pointed attention, <\/i>ekena<\/i><\/a>manas\u0101<\/i><\/a> one should constantly hear about, glorify, remember and worship the Personality of Godhead – bhagav\u0101n s\u0101tvat\u0101m\u0301 patih <\/i>\u015brotavyah\u0323<\/i><\/a> k\u012brtitavya\u015b <\/i>ca<\/i><\/a>dhyeyah\u0323<\/i><\/a> p\u016bjya\u015b <\/i>ca<\/i><\/a>nityad\u0101<\/i><\/a>. Par\u012bk\u1e63it Maharaja also tells how hearing this great literature clarifies the aim of life and palpably invokes the presence of Lord Krishna within one\u2019s heart: pravi\u1e63\u1e6da\u1e25 kar\u1e47a-randhre\u1e47a sv\u0101n\u0101\u1e41 bh\u0101va-saroruham The Glories of \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam:<\/b> <\/p>\n Of the innumerable collections of spiritual teachings found in Vedic literature, \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is considered the topmost. Vedic literature is sometimes said to be a \u201cdesire tree,\u201d a tree that can yield whatever one might desire. \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is the most complete and authoritative exposition of Vedic knowledge – covering everything from the nature of the self to the origin of the universe. Among all the Pur\u0101\u1e47as, \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is the best, and it is the dearest thing to the Vais\u0323n\u0323avas. It reveals that spotless, supreme knowledge accessible to the paramaha\u1e41sas and it also reveals the process by which one can become free from the reactions of material work \u2014 a process enriched with knowledge, renunciation and devotion. <\/p>\n \u015br\u012bmad-bh\u0101gavata\u1e41 pur\u0101\u1e47am amala\u1e41 yad vai\u1e63\u1e47av\u0101n\u0101\u1e41 priya\u1e41 \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is accepted as the essence of all Vedic literature and Ved\u0101nta philosophy. Whoever tastes the transcendental mellow of \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is never attracted to any other literature. sarva<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>ved\u0101nta<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>s\u0101ram\u0301<\/i><\/a>hi<\/i><\/a>\u015br\u012bmad<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>bh\u0101gavatam<\/i><\/a>is\u0323yate<\/i><\/a>tad<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>ras\u0101mr\u0323ta<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>tr\u0323ptasya<\/i><\/a> n\u0101nyatra sy\u0101d <\/i>ratih\u0323<\/i><\/a>kvacit<\/i><\/a> ( SB 12.13.15)<\/p>\n \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam gives direct information of the mellow derived from service to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. Therefore \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is above all other Vedic literatures. ‘<\/i>kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>bhakti<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>rasa<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>svar\u016bpa<\/i><\/a>‘ <\/i>\u015br\u012b<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>bh\u0101gavata<\/i><\/a>t\u0101te<\/i><\/a>veda<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>\u015b\u0101stra<\/i><\/a>haite<\/i><\/a>parama<\/i><\/a>mahattva<\/i><\/a> (CC M. 25.150)<\/p>\n k\u1e63etr\u0101\u1e47\u0101\u1e41 caiva sarve\u1e63\u0101\u1e41 yath\u0101 k\u0101\u015b\u012b hy anuttam\u0101 Only the pure and saintly devotees who are parama-bh\u0101gavatam \u2014 a topmost devotee of the Lord and bhagavat-jana-par\u0101ya\u1e47am \u2014 a follower of the devotees of the Lord, br\u0101hma\u1e47as and Vai\u1e63\u1e47avas; take interest only in topics glorifying the infallible Supreme Lord. Even completely liberated souls are eager to hear and narrate \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam. Those who are trying to be liberated should faithfully serve this literature by hearing and reciting it with faith and devotion. \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is \u2018\u0101dhy\u0101tma deep<\/i>\u2019 \u2013 lamp or sun for devotees. For materialistic fools\/demons, or even j\u00f1\u0101nis and impersonalists it is bewildering like Mohini Avat\u0101ra. \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is tricky. The eleventh canto is for j\u00f1\u0101n\u012bs. They will think that j\u00f1\u0101na is ultimate. Therefore, non-devotees get cheated because they accept something else other than Bhakti as ultimate. However, devotees will relish everything in \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam because it is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, and pastimes and so on of the unlimited Supreme Lord and it is full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world\u2019s misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest. tad v\u0101g-visargo janat\u0101gha-samplavo yasmin prati-\u015blokam abaddhavaty apin\u0101m\u0101ny anantasya ya\u015bo \u2019\u1e45kit\u0101ni yat \u015b\u1e5b\u1e47vanti g\u0101yanti g\u1e5b\u1e47anti s\u0101dhava\u1e25<\/i> – (SB 12.12.52)<\/p>\n \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is full of prayers in which emotions of a person who is praying are expressed. For example V\u1e5btr\u0101sura in his prayer compares himself as baby bird eagerly waiting for mother to come and provide food and shelter. Next compares with a calf that is running towards mother cow for food and shelter and last as a lover.<\/p>\n How to study or hear<\/b> \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/b>: \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/i> is \u015ar\u012bla Vy\u0101sadeva\u2019s last, mature contribution, and one should read and hear it in an assembly of realized souls while engaging in devotional service. Srila Prabhupada writes that \u2018The only qualification one needs to study this great book of transcendental knowledge is to proceed step by step cautiously and not jump forward haphazardly as with an ordinary book. It should be gone through chapter by chapter, one after another. Hear \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam from a pure Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava and learn from him. Study the Bh\u0101gavatam from the person Bh\u0101gavatam. Person Bh\u0101gavatam is the self-realized bona fide spiritual master, and through him only can one understand the lessons of Bh\u0101gavatam in order to receive the desired result.\u2019 The Vedic scriptures, especially the \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam, consistently glorify the importance of hearing divine sound to achieve the highest spiritual perfection. One attains ultimate destination simply by hearing from the mouths of pure devotees about the character and activities of pure devotees who always think within their hearts of the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, who awards His devotees liberation. [SB 3.13.4] . \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam (1.2.17-21) verses systematically describe how our devotion to Krishna gradually evolves when we submissively hear the transcendental vibrations of Krishna\u2019s holy names and pastimes. One who is genuinely humble and who has total faith in the words of the scriptures can achieve this love for the Lord. If enough time is devoted to hearing and discussing these two scriptures, going back to Godhead is assured. The Padma Purana strictly warns us against hearing from non-devotees. Quoting from Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a,<\/i> \u015ar\u012b San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b has strictly forbidden us to hear about the activities of the Lord and His devotees from the mouths of nondevotee: <\/p>\n avai\u1e63\u1e47ava-mukhodg\u012br\u1e47a\u1e41 p\u016bta\u1e41 hari-kath\u0101m\u1e5btam \u015brava\u1e47a\u1e41 naiva kartavya\u1e41 sarpocchi\u1e63\u1e6da\u1e41 yath\u0101 paya\u1e25<\/i> –\u201cOne should not hear anything about K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a from a non-Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava. Milk touched by the lips of a serpent has poisonous effects; similarly, talks about K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a given by a non-Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava are also poisonous.\u201d One must be a bona fide devotee, and then he can preach and impress devotional service upon his listeners. Srila Prabhupada elaborates: \u201cThe words or songs of a person not fixed in Vaishnava behavior, not strictly following the rules and regulations and chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, should not be accepted by pure devotees.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018One should rigidly avoid hearing the Bh\u0101gavatam from an M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b or other nondevotee.\u2019 \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam (2.1.2) condemns hearing mundane topics devoid of spiritual value: \u015brotavy\u0101d\u012bni r\u0101jendra n\u1e5b\u1e47\u0101\u1e41 santi sahasra\u015ba\u1e25 \u201cTo understand the \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam, one must approach a self-realized Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava.\u201d Svar\u016bpa D\u0101modara Gosv\u0101m\u012b instructs the poet from Bengal: \u201cy\u0101ha, bh\u0101gavata pa\u1e0da vai\u1e63\u1e47avera sth\u0101ne ek\u0101nta \u0101\u015braya kara caitanya-cara\u1e47e <\/i>\u201cIf you want to understand \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam,\u201d he said, \u201cyou must approach a self-realized Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava and hear from him. You can do this when you have completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of \u015ar\u012b Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu.\u201d(CC Antya 5.131) \u015ar\u012bla S\u016bta Gosv\u0101m\u012b saidone should regularly hear \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/i> from a self-realized Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava. By such hearing, one becomes pure: h\u1e5bdy anta\u1e25-stho hy abhadr\u0101\u1e47i vidhunoti suh\u1e5bt sat\u0101m.<\/i> As one thus hears the Bh\u0101gavatam <\/i>regularly and sincerely, and by renders service to the pure devotee, his heart is purified of all material contamination: na\u1e63\u1e6da-pr\u0101ye\u1e63v abhadre\u1e63u nitya\u1e41 bh\u0101gavata-sevay\u0101<\/i> (service to book Bh\u0101gavata <\/i>and person Bh\u0101gavata) and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact – bhagavaty uttama-\u015bloke bhaktir bhavati nai\u1e63\u1e6dhik\u012b<\/i>. (SB 1.2.18) In Caitanya-bh\u0101gavata (antya 3.532) Srila Vrind\u0101van D\u0101s Thakur has written, dui sth\u0101ne bh\u0101gavata-n\u0101ma \u015buni-m\u0101tra<\/i> \u2014 there are two bh\u0101gavatas, the book Bh\u0101gavata and the bhakta, devotee bh\u0101gavata. We serve the book Bh\u0101gavata by hearing from the bhakta-bh\u0101gavata. To hear and explain the literatures is more important than just reading them. One can assimilate the knowledge of the revealed scriptures only by hearing (\u015bravan\u0323a) and explaining (k\u012brtana). Only one who has properly grasped the transcendental knowledge from the right source by submissive hearing can properly explain the subject. <\/p>\n The simple process for studying the \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam or any sacred scripture is given in the Brhad-aranyaka Upanis\u0323ad. It says: atma va are drastavyah<\/i> srotavyo mantavyo nididhyasitavyah<\/i> – \u2018O Maitreya! Always hear about, think about, meditate upon, and see all objects as they are related to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul, Sri Hari.’ 1) \u015aravan\u0323am \u2013 collecting the information from the text, that is, hearing or reading the text, much like attentively listening to a lecture. 2) Mananam \u2013 reflecting on the subject matter 3) Nididhyasan \u2013 contemplating on how I can practically apply this text in my own life or how I can see all objects as they are related to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul, Sri Hari and 4) Vandanam \u2013 praying for realization because words are combination of letters and anyone can make sound. Potency of sound or words comes when Lord decides which sound He wants to enter. <\/p>\n HH Sacinandana Swami gives analogy as follows: Collecting information is compared to just bringing food in front of the mouth, but not eating it. Hearing attentively or reading the text is like putting the food in mouth. Reflecting on what you have heard is like chewing the food. Nididhyasan, contemplating how you can apply what you have heard and then practically applying it, can be compared to swallowing. Finally digesting the food and being fully nourished by it, depends on the Supersoul, Sri Hari. Therefore it is compared to Vandanam or praying for realization. <\/p>\n <\/font><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Just as Ganga is the greatest of all rivers, Srimad Bhagavata Purana is greatest among all Puranas. When we worship Mother Ganga the reservoir of holy water, we take palm full water from the river and with devotion we put it back into the river. Similarly this humble attempt of writing on the topic of Bhagavata Purana is done even though this Purana is the reservoir of everything. It is like taking any paraphernalia for worshiping the supreme Lord which originates and belongs to Him and offering back to Him with love and devotion. From this reservoir I am taking bits and peace and repeating here for my own purification and spiritual satisfaction similar to the feeling of satisfaction a hungry man has for every morsel of food he eats. The more one eats while hungry, the more one feels satisfaction and strength. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-71300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71300","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=71300"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":71311,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71300\/revisions\/71311"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=71300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=71300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=71300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\ndev\u012b\u1e41 sarasvat\u012b\u1e41 vy\u0101sa\u1e41 tato jayam ud\u012brayet.<\/i> Long ago this essential anthology of all the Pur\u0101n\u0323as was spoken by the infallible Lord Nara-N\u0101r\u0101yan\u0323a R\u0323s\u0323i to N\u0101rada, who then repeated it to Kr\u0323s\u0323n\u0323a Dvaip\u0101yana Vedavy\u0101sa. Vy\u0101sa later spoke it to Sarasvat\u012b, the goddess of learning. That is why first offering respects to Nara-Narayana R\u0323s\u0323i and Sarasvat\u012b.<\/p>\n
\nThe meaning of the Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra, the full purport of the Mah\u0101bh\u0101rata, the commentary of the Brahma- g\u0101yatr\u012b, and fully expanded with all Vedic knowledge is present in Bh\u0101gavata Pur\u0101\u1e47a\/\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam. \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is the supreme Pur\u0101n\u0323a, and it was compiled by the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Vy\u0101sadeva. There are twelve cantos, 335 chapters and eighteen thousand verses. <\/p>\n
\nyasmin p\u0101ramaha\u1e41syam ekam amala\u1e41 j\u00f1\u0101na\u1e41 para\u1e41 g\u012byate
\nyatra j\u00f1\u0101na-vir\u0101ga-bhakti-sahita\u1e41 nai\u1e63karmyam \u0101vi\u1e63k\u1e5bta\u1e41
\ntac ch\u1e5b\u1e47van supa\u1e6dhan vic\u0101ra\u1e47a-paro bhakty\u0101 vimucyen nara\u1e25<\/i><\/p>\n
\npa\u015byanty \u0101tmani c\u0101tm\u0101na\u1e41 bhakty\u0101 \u015bruta-g\u1e5bh\u012btay\u0101<\/i><\/p>\n
\nkalau na\u1e63\u1e6da-d\u1e5b\u015b\u0101m e\u1e63a pur\u0101\u1e47\u0101rko \u2019dhunodita\u1e25<\/i> (SB 1.3.43)<\/p>\n
\ndhunoti \u015bamala\u1e41 k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u1e25 salilasya yath\u0101 \u015barat<\/i> — The sound incarnation of Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, the Supreme Soul (i.e., \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam), enters into the heart of a self-realized devotee, sits on the lotus flower of his loving relationship, and thus cleanses the dust of material association, such as lust, anger and hankering. Thus it acts like autumnal rains upon pools of muddy water. (SB 2.8.5) A br\u0101hma\u1e47a who studies the \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam achieves firm intelligence in devotional service, a king who studies it gains sovereignty over the earth, Vai\u015bya acquires great treasure and a \u015b\u016bdra is freed from sinful reactions. Srila Prabhupada writes: \u201c\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/i> is the transcendental science not only for knowing the ultimate source of everything but also for knowing our relation with Him and our duty toward perfection of the human society on the basis of this perfect knowledge.\u201d And \u201cBy sufficient hearing of \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam, the polluted aim of life, trying to enjoy matter, will subside, and the people will be able to live a peaceful life of knowledge and happiness.\u201d Bh\u0101gavata Pur\u0101n\u0323a propounds the highest truth. As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bh\u0101gavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is established within his heart. ‘vedyam\u0301 v\u0101stavam atra vastu \u015biva-dam\u0301 t\u0101pa-trayonm\u016blanam<\/i>\u2019. Patient, respectful, and submissive hearing of \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is a powerful force in awakening Bhakti to Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a.<\/p>\n
\nyasmin p\u0101ramaha\u1e41syam ekam amala\u1e41 j\u00f1\u0101na\u1e41 para\u1e41 g\u012byate
\ntatra j\u00f1\u0101na-vir\u0101ga-bhakti-sahita\u1e41 nai\u1e63karmyam \u0101visk\u1e5bta\u1e41
\ntac ch\u1e5b\u1e47van su-pa\u1e6dhan vic\u0101ra\u1e47a-paro bhakty\u0101 vimucyen nara\u1e25<\/i> – \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is the spotless Pur\u0101\u1e47a. It is most dear to the Vai\u1e63\u1e47avas because it describes the pure and supreme knowledge of the paramaha\u1e41sas. Anyone who seriously tries to understand \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam, who properly hears and chants it with devotion, becomes completely liberated. The word p\u0101ramaham\u0301syam indicates that even completely liberated souls are eager to hear and narrate \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam. Those who are trying to be liberated should faithfully serve this literature by hearing and reciting it with faith and devotion<\/p>\n
\ntath\u0101 pur\u0101\u1e47a-vr\u0101t\u0101n\u0101\u1e41 \u015br\u012bmad-bh\u0101gavata\u1e41 dvij\u0101\u1e25<\/i> (SB 12.13.17) – O br\u0101hma\u1e47as, in the same way that the city of K\u0101\u015b\u012b is unexcelled among holy places, \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is supreme among all the Pur\u0101\u1e47as. Very first text of \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam defines the Absolute Truth it makes clear that because the book is intended for people serious about spiritual progress, it will not deal with sectarian religious ideas, philosophical conjecture, or worldly concerns. The second text describes the Bh\u0101gavatam and defines actual religion and promises that anyone who reads the book systematically will achieve the spiritual success meant for all human beings. As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of the Bh\u0101gavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is established within his heart (SB.1.1.2) – The proper method for receiving this transcendental message is to hear it submissively. A challenging attitude cannot help one realize this transcendental message. One particular word is used herein for proper guidance. And the third text invites humankind to taste the Bh\u0101gavatam\u2019s sweetness. The word is \u015bu\u015br\u016bs\u0323u. One must be anxious to hear this transcendental message. The desire to sincerely hear is the first qualification an invitation to Taste the Bh\u0101gavatam\u2019s sweetness (SB. 1.1.3) In this \u015bloka it is stated that \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam is not only a superior literature but is the ripened fruit of all Vedic literatures. In other words, it is the cream (s\u0101ram\u0301 s\u0101ram\u0301) of all Vedic knowledge. Considering all this, patient and submissive hearing is definitely essential. With great respect and attention, one should receive the message and lessons imparted by the \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam. The occupational activities a man performs according to his own position are only so much useless labor if they do not provoke attraction for the message of the Personality of Godhead– dharmah\u0323<\/i><\/a>svanus\u0323t\u0323hitah\u0323<\/i><\/a>pum\u0301s\u0101m\u0301<\/i><\/a>vis\u0323vaksena<\/i><\/a>–<\/i>kath\u0101su<\/i><\/a>yah\u0323<\/i><\/a> notp\u0101dayed <\/i>yadi<\/i><\/a>ratim\u0301<\/i><\/a>\u015brama<\/i><\/a>eva<\/i><\/a>hi<\/i><\/a>kevalam<\/i><\/a> <\/p>\n
\napa\u015byat\u0101m \u0101tma-tattva\u1e41 g\u1e5bhe\u1e63u g\u1e5bha-medhin\u0101m<\/i> – \u201cThose persons, who are materially engrossed, being blind to the knowledge of ultimate truth, have many subject matters for hearing in human society, O Emperor.\u201d <\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/HPtaNMe.jpg)
By Jaya Gaursundar Dasa<\/strong><\/p>\n