Bhāgavatam Propounds the Highest Truth
dharmah projjhita-kaitavo 'tra paramo nirmatsarānām satām
vedyam vāstavam atra vastu sivadam tāpa-trayonmulanam
srimad-bhāgavate mahā-muni-krte kim vā parair isvarah
sadyo hrdy avarudhyate 'tra krtibhih susrusubhis tat-ksanāt
[SB 1.1.2]
Completely rejecting 
all
religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhāgavata
Purāna propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees
who are fully pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion
for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. This beautiful
Bhāgavatam, compiled by the great sage Vyāsadeva [in his maturity], is
sufficient in itself for God realization.
What is the need of any other scripture? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears
the message of Bhāgavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is
established within his heart.
History of Srimad Bhāgavatam
idam bhagavataa purvam
brahmane naabhi-pankaje
sthitaaya bhava-bhitaaya
kaarunyaat samprakaasitam
[SB 12.13.10]
kasmai yena vibhaasito 'yam atulo jaana-pradipah puraa
tad-rupena ca naradaaya munaye krsnaya tad-rupinaa
yogindraaya tad-atmanaatha bhagavad-raataaya kaarunyatas
tac chuddham vimalam visokam amrtam satyam param dhimahi
[SB12.13.19]
It was to Lord Brahma that the Supreme Personality of Godhead first
revealed the Srimad-Bhāgavatam in full. At the time, Brahma, frightened
by material existence, was sitting on the lotus flower that had grown from the Lord's navel.
I meditate upon that pure and spotless Supreme Absolute Truth, who is free from suffering
and death and who in the beginning personally revealed this incomparable torchlight of knowledge
to Brahma. Brahma then spoke it to the sage Narada, who narrated it to Krsna-dvaipaayana Vyasa.
Srila Vyasa revealed this Bhagavatam to the greatest of sages, Sukadeva Gosvami, and Sukadeva
mercifully spoke it to Maharaja Parikshit.
Why Vyasa was dissatisfied even after compiling all the Vedic literatures and His impetus in compiling
the Bhagavatam?
sri-narada uvaaca
bhavataanudita-praayam
yasho bhagavato 'malam
yenaivaasau na tusyeta
manye tad darshanam khilam
[SB 1.5.8]
Sri Narada said: You have not actually broadcast the sublime and spotless glories of the
Personality of Godhead. That philosophy which does not satisfy the transcendental senses of the
Lord is considered worthless.
yathaa dharmaadayas caarthaa
muni-varyaanukirtitaah
na thatha vaasudevasya
mahimaa hy anuvarnitah
[SB 1.5.9]
Although, great sage, you have very broadly described the four principles beginning with
religious performances, you have not described the glories of the Supreme Personality,
Vasudeva.
Why did Vyasadeva compile the Vedic literatures including Srimad Bhagavatam?
anarthopasamam saaksaad
bhakti-yogam adhoksaje
lokasyaajaanato vidvaams
cakre saatvata-samhitaam
[SB 1.7.6]
The material miseries of the living entity, which are superfluous to him, can be directly mitigated
by the linking process of devotional service. But the mass of people do not know this, and therefore
the learned Vyasadeva compiled this Vedic literature, which is in relation to the Supreme Truth.
Srimad Bhagavatam - the king of all literatures
sarva-vedaanta-saaram hi
sri-bhaagavatam isyate
tad-rasaamrta-trptasya
naanyatra syaad ratih kvacit
[SB 12.13.15]
Srimad-Bhagavatam is declared to be the essence of all Vedaanta philosophy. One who has felt
satisfaction from its nectarean mellow will never be attracted to any other literature.
nimna-gaanaam yathaa gangaa
devaanaam acyuto yathaa
vaisanavaanaam yathaa sambhuh
puraanaanaam idam tathaa
[SB 12.13.16]
Just as the Ganga is the greatest of all rivers, Lord Acyuta the supreme among deities and
Lord Sambhu [Siva] the greatest of Vaishnavas, so Srimad-Bhagavatam is the greatest of all Puranas.
ksetraanaam caiva sarvesaam
yathaa kaasih hy anuttamaa
tathaa puraana-vraataanaam
srimad-bhaagavatam dvijaah
[SB 12.13.17]
O brahmanas, in the same way that the city of Kasi is unexcelled among holy places,
Srimad-Bhagavatam is supreme among all the Puranas.
Bhagavatam contains the Cream of the Cream of all Vedic literatures
tad idam grāhayām āsa
sutam ātmavatām varam
sarva-vedetihā sānām
sāram sāram samuddhrtam
[SB 1.3.41]
Sri Vyaasadeva delivered it to his son, who is the most respected among the self-realized,
after extracting the cream of all Vedic literatures and histories of the universe.
Bhagavatam is the Literary Incarnation of Krishna
idam bhaagavatam naama
puraanam brahma-sammitam
uttama-sloka-caritam
cakaara bhagavaan rsih
nihsreyasaaya lokasya
dhanyam svasty-ayanam mahat
[SB 1.3.40]
This Srimad-Bhāgavatam is the literary incarnation of God,
and it is
compiled by Srila Vyaasadeva, the incarnation of God. It is meant for the ultimate good of all people,
and it is all-successful, all-blissful and all-perfect.
Bhagavatam is the brilliant Sun giving light to the world after Krishna?s departure
krsne sva-dhaamopagate
dharma-jnaanaadibhih saha
kalau nasta-drsaam esa
puraanaarko 'dhunoditah
[SB 1.3.43]
This Bhaagavata Puraana is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after
the departure of Lord Krsna 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 Puraana.
Bhagavatam awards us pure devotion to Krishna and return back to Godhead
pibanti ye bhagavata aatmanah sataam
kathaamrtam sravana-putesu sambhrtam
punanti te visaya-viduusitaasayam
vrajanti tac-carana-saroruhaantikam
[SB 2.2.37]
Those who drink through aural reception, fully filled with the nectarean message
of Lord Krsna, the beloved of the devotees, purify the polluted aim of life known as
material enjoyment and thus go back to Godhead, to the lotus feet of Him [the Personality
of Godhead].
srnvatah sraddhayaa nityam
grnatas ca sva-cestitam
kaalena naatidirghena
bhagavaan visate hrdi
[SB 2.8.4]
Persons who hear Srimad-Bhagavatam regularly and are always taking the matter very
seriously will have the Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna manifested in their hearts
within a short time.
Bhagavatam destroys all Fear, Lamentation, Illusion and all unwanted things in the heart
nasta-praayesv abhadresu
nityam bhaagavata-sevayaa
bhagavaty uttama-sloke
bhaktir bhavati naisthiki
[SB 1.2.18]
By regular attendance in classes on the Bhaagavatam and by rendering of service to the
pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and
loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs,
is established as an irrevocable fact.
yasyam vai sruyamaanaayaam
krsne parama-puuruse
bhaktir utpadyate pumsah
soka-moha-bhayaaphahaa
[SB 1.7.7]
Simply by giving aural reception to this Vedic literature, the feeling for loving
devotional service to Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, sprouts up at
once to extinguish the fire of lamentation, illusion and fearfulness.
Bhagavatam brings all Auspiciousness, all Fortune
tat-kathaasu mahat puanyam
dhanyam svastyayanam subham
yatra yatrottamasloko
bhagavaan giyate harih
[SB 8.1.32]
Any literature or narration in which the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Uttama sloka,
is described and glorified is certainly great, pure, glorious, auspicious
and all good.
Srimad Bhagavatam as a Gift
prausthapadyaam paurnamaasyaam
hema-simha-samanvitam
dadaati yo bhaagavatam
sa yaati paramaam gatim
[SB 12.13.13]
If on the full moon day of the month of Bhadra one places Srimad-Bhagavatam on a golden
throne and gives it as a gift, he will attain the supreme transcendental destination.
Benefits of having a Srimad Bhagavatam Set in the house
Srimad Bhagavatam attracts Good Fortune to one's life (just as a magnet attracts iron)
Srimad Bhagavatam is a Deity of Lord Krishna. Just by keeping it, taking care of it,
( even by dusting the books and the book case), one gets enormous spiritual benefit
Keeping Srimad Bhagavatam in the home is the same as hosting guest personalities like
Sukadeva Goswami, Narada, Bhisma, Prahalad and Dhruva Maharaj, Kunti devi, Pandavas,
and the Supreme Lord -- with all His incarnations . And by offering service to Srimad
Bhagavatam, one serves these personalities every day. This service opens the door to
liberation
Srimad Bhagavatam is non-different from Goloka and when Srimad Bhagavatam is present,
the house becomes a holy dhama
Srimad Bhagavatam is a Cintamani jewel and a Kalpa-vrksa that will fulfill all desires
Children benefit tremendously from reading or hearing Srimad Bhagavatam. If they hear
from an early age, they will naturally develop a firm attraction for serving Krishna
and for spiritual life. Children love to look at the pictures and to hear the stories
in Srimad Bhagavatam.
By reading Srimad Bhagavatam together as a family (even for 10 minutes a day),
the entire family will deepen their spiritual relationships and will develop a mood of
cooperation and service to the Lord and towards one another. Your Srimad Bhagavatam
readings will also establish a spiritual culture in your household, bringing you peace
and prosperity in this life and the next.
Reciting Prayers from Srimad Bhagavatam
Reciting and memorizing prayers from Srimad Bhagavatam will save you from the greatest
dangers in this and in future lives (Gajendra was delivered by reciting prayers he
remembered from his past life.)
Reciting and meditating on the beautiful prayers of glorification for Lord Krishna help
you to quickly development a loving sentiment towards Krishna.
Srimad Bhagavatam prayers are rich with descriptions of Krishna?s supreme qualities as
the Supreme Controller as well as his being ?Bhakta-vatsala,? (One who is very kind and
loving toward His devotee) and ?Bhava-grahi Janaradana? (One who enjoys the loving mood of
His devotees).
Sample list of famous prayers from Srimad Bhagavatam:
Prayers of Queen Kunti (krisnaya vasudevaya ?)
Prayers of Bhisma deva (yam manyase matuleyam?sva nigamam apahaya ?)
Prayers of Dhruva Maharaj
Prayers of Prahalad Maharaj
Prayers of Uddhava (aho baki yam stana kalakutam ?)
Prayers of Gajendra
Prayers of Brahma, Indra
Prayers of Gopis (tava kathamrtam ?)