Srimad
Bhagavatam
(Bhagavata
Purana)
The Bhagavata
Purana, also known as Srimad Bhagavatam, is considered as “the
ripe tree of Vedic Literature”. Srimad Bhagavatam conveys the
selfless devotion to Lord Shri Krishna, which ensures liberation
from all the pains and miseries of the world. The Bhagavatam is like a
crown jewel among all Sanatana Dharma scriptures.
Srimad
Bhagavatam
is the most unique and transcendental literature containing many stories
glorifying the pure devotional service “Bhakti” to Supreme
Personality of GodHead and His all incarnations including Lord
Rama (Canto 9) and Lord Shri Krishna (Canto 10).
In Kali Yuga, devotional service and chanting the Lord’s name in
love; is the only way to be freed from the clutches of the evil nature of Kali
Yuga.
The Srimad
Bhagavatam declares itself as the essence of Vedanta:
The Srimad Bhagavatam is the very
essence of all the Vedanta Literature.
One who has enjoyed the nectar of its
rasa never has any desire for anything else.
(Canto 12)
Srimad means “beautiful”
(as Shrimati RadhaRani) and Bhagavatam means “related
to Lord Hari”, thus Srimad Bhagavatam can be translated as “The
Beautiful Story of Lord Hari”. The purest form of Bhakti described in
the Bhagavatam is directed toward Shri Krishna as Supreme
Personality of Godhead in human form. The 10th Canto, which
is dedicated to Shri Krishna, takes up about one quarter of the entire Bhagavatam,
includes the most comprehensive collection of stories about the life of Shri
Krishna and, His Lilas.
“From beginning
to end, the Srimad Bhagavatam is full of narrations that encourage renunciation
of material life, as well as nectarean accounts of Lord Hari's transcendental
pastimes, which give ecstasy to the saintly devotees and demigods. This Srimad
Bhagavatam is the essence of all Vedatna philosophy because its subject matter
is the Absolute Truth, which, while non-different from the spirit soul, is the
ultimate reality, one without a second. The goal of this literature is
exclusive devotional service unto that Supreme Truth”.
(SB Canto 12
Chapter 13: Translation by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)
Statistically, Srimad
Bhagavatam comprises Twelve Skandas (Cantos or Books), 335
Chapters and has some 18,000 verses; containing detailed account of
Lord’s names, forms, nature, personality, devotees, activities, residences, and
much more; all describing Supreme Personality of Godhead and our
relation with Him.
Srimad
Bhagavatam
credits to Sage Veda Vyasa with its authorship and was taught by
his son Saint Shukdev Goswami, to King Parikshita.
Vyasdeva’s
Dissatisfaction and Narad Muni’s Counsel:
The advent of
the Srimad Bhagavatam came about when Vyasadeva was in state of
dejection, even after compilation of the Vedas, the Upanisadas,
the Vedic commentaries and conversations, and the Mahabharata.
Even though he compiled almost all major Sanatana Dharma Scriptures,
still he was dissatisfied.
Sage Narada Muni counseled Vyasadeva
and guided him to the solution of his dejection. Narad Muni
instructed Vyasdeva to write a scripture glorifying the Lord Shri
Krishna and His glories, His various incarnations and His
Lilas. Thus being inspired, Sage Narada Muni chanted the Srimad
Bhagavatam to Vyasadeva who wrote it down.
(Note: Even though the Mahabharata had some
of Shri Krsna’s glories, Mahabharata can be misused in Kali Yuga easily
justifying violence for selfish motives. In addition, the conclusion of the
Mahabharata is destruction. How can one be satisfied with such a conclusion?)
Prelude
of the Srimad Bhagavatam
The prelude of
the Bhagavatam, as mentioned in the first Canto, portrays King
Parikshita, the grandson of Arjuna, being cursed (due to Kali
Yuga) to be bitten by a poisonous snake in seven days. Desire to hear
about Sri Krishna before death, Parikshita surrendered to Sukhadeva
Goswami, and listened to his narration of the Bhagavatam. Except for
the first three verses, the primary narrator of the Bhagavatam is Sukhadeva
(Suka). The first story is how King Pariksita was cursed and how Sukhadeva
Goswami narrates the Srimad Bhagavatam in seven days, without any
break.
Difference
between Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam:
Srimad
Bhagavatam
should not be mistakenly taken same as Bhagavad Gita. These two books
are different entities. Bhagavad Gita (spoken by Shri Krishna) and Srimad
Bhagavatam (spoken for Shri Krishna) are very much enough for anyone to
gain a completed insight of the Supreme Absolute TRUTH.
Bhagavad Gita spoken by
Lord Krishna Himself in Kurukshetra Mahabharata War, and is concise in
nature. The prime purpose of Bhagavad Gita emphasis on Shri Krishna
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as the Ultimate
Absolute Truth. The purpose of our human life is to surrender
wholeheartedly and serve Him with unalloyed devotion.
On accepting Shri
Krishna as the Supreme Authority, then in order to achieve
such unalloyed devotion, pure form of Submissive Devotional Transcendental Love
for Him, one should read Srimad Bhagavatam; which from Canto01 to
Canto09 gradually increase our love for Him (thru His various incarnation and
His devotes) and then eventually in Canto10 which belongs to Lilas of Shri
Krishna, one attains state of pure bliss.
12
Cantos of Srimad Bhagavatam
The Bhagavatam
is widely recognized as the best known and influential of the Puranas.
The Bhagavatam contains twelve cantos describing different pastimes and
incarnations of the Lord Vishnu and His devotees. The briefly description of all 12 Canto is given below (Source
Wikipedia):
Canto
1: Creation
Sage
Saunaka
gathered various sages in Naimisha Forest to hear Suta’s praise
bhakti to Shri Krishna and describe the Dashavtar of Lord Vishnu
Suta tells the story
of the life of King Parikshit and his encounter with Mother Earth
and Kali Yuga
Parikshit asks Sukhdeva
(Suka) what one should do to prepare for death.
Suka's response
constitutes the main part of the Bhagavatam
Canto
2: The Cosmic Manifestation
Suka describes Parikshit
that when one is about to die, they should become free of the fear of death and
let go of all attachments to pleasure, home, and family.
One should
control the breath and mind and concentrate on the sacred Aum
Canto
3: The Status Quo
Mahatama
Vidura’s
pilgrimage to various holy places provides the backdrop for the stories and
spiritual teachings
Mahatama
Vidura
meeting with the Sage Maitreya, who gives instruction on the creation of
the world, the divisions of time, and other subjects
Story of birth of Hiranyakasipu and Hiranyaksa
and the boar Avatar of Vishnu (Varaha)
Kapila’s Sankhya teaching to her
mother Devahuti
Canto
4: Creation of the Fourth Order
Story
of Daksha and his sacrifice, in which he mocks Lord Shiva in
front of Dakshayani
Dakshayani's
self-immolation, which later came to be known by one of her names, Sati
Legend of Dhurva
Maharaja’s penance and devotion to Lord Vishnu
Canto 5: The Creative Impetus
Story
of Manu's sons and their children lead eventually to Bharat
Description
of the world, the sun and its course, the moon and the planets, the regions
below the earth
The
twenty-eight hells (Naraka)
Canto
6: Prescribed Duties for Mankind
Story
of Ajamila, who reached heaven as a reward for uttering the syllables
"Na-ra-ya-na" on his deathbed, even though he was only
intending to call his son
Story
of victory; Indra over Visvarupa
Canto
7: The Science of God
Story
of Hiranyakasipu, his son Prahlada Bhakat, and the death of Hiranyakasipu
at the hands of Lord Vishnu avatar Narasimha
Prahlada is considered a
great devotee of Lord Vishnu, and describes the process of bhakti toward
Lord
Discussion
about dharmas in life
Canto
8: Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations
The
description of the six past Manvantara (Time Periods of Manu) and the
seven future ages of Manu
Story
of Vishnu's Vamana (dwarf) avatar and his defeat of MahaBali
Story
of the churning of the ocean of milk, Saagar Manthan with the help of Kurma
avatar of Lord Vishnu is mentioned in this Canto
Canto
9: Liberation
The current age
of Manu is described at length, including the traditional history of the Solar
Dynasty founded by Ikshvaku
Life of Lord
Shri Rama
Canto
10: The Summum Bonum
Dedicated
to Shri Krishna, is responsible for the widespread popularity of the Bhagavata
Purana. It includes the most enduring images and stories of Shri Krishna:
the mischievous child who steals butter; the godlike child who holds the entire
universe within himself; the boy who can slay demons and move an entire
mountain with one finger; the cowherd who is the love of all the gopis, making
them leave all their duties to follow him.
Canto
11: General History
The
destruction of the Yadava dynasty i.e. Krishna Family
Shri
Krishna's
ascent to Vaikuntha
Shri
Krishna
addresses to his dear friend Uddhava, Uddhava Gita
Canto 12: The Age of Deterioration
The evils of Kali
Yuga and the future destruction of the world
The
main story ends with the death of King Parikshit
Glorification
of Srimad-Bhagavatam by
Srila Sanatana Goswami:
O
Srimad-Bhagavatam, I offer respectful obeisances unto You. By reading You one
attains transcendental bliss, for Your syllables rain pure love of God upon the
reader. You are always to be served by everyone, for You are an incarnation of
Lord Krsna.
O Srimad-Bhagavatam,
O my only friend, O my companion, O my teacher, O my great wealth, O my
deliverer, O my good fortune, O my bliss, I offer respectful obeisances unto
you.
The Skanda
Purana states:
“In Kali-yuga,
of what value are collections of hundreds of thousands of other scriptures, if
one does not keep the Srimad Bhagavatam in his house? Wherever is the Srimad
Bhagavatam in Kali-yuga, the Lord goes there along with the demigods. O
muni, a person who faithfully recites a verse of Srimad Bhagavatam every
day attains the fruit of reading the eighteen Puranas”.
References
& Further Reading:
- Bhaktivednata 12 Canto, by Srila A. C. Parbhupada (Best Commentaries)
- Bhagavata Purana Rhaeas (Hidden Truth) in Sindhi Language by Prof. Shyam Das Joshi. (Very Well Written in Sindh Language)
- Wikipedia.org