Category:Cantos of the Srimad-Bhagavatam
Theme Analysis
The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam occupies the most exalted position among all Vedic literatures. While the Vedas provide regulative principles for human society to peacefully execute fruitive activities and gradual elevation, the Bhāgavatam is completely transcendental to all mundane sense gratification. It is the natural, original commentary on the Brahma-sūtra (Vedānta-sūtra), compiled by the original author, Śrī Vyāsadeva, under the instruction of his spiritual master, Nārada Muni. Vyāsadeva compiled all the Vedas but remained dissatisfied until he exclusively described the transcendental activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, the Bhāgavatam is considered his special and ultimate contribution to humanity.
In its very beginning, the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam completely rejects all forms of cheating religion (kaitava-dharma), particularly the worship of various demigods for material gain. True religion, as confirmed by Yamarāja in the Sixth Canto, is exclusively that which is directly given by the Supreme Lord. Because it deals exclusively with the Absolute Truth, the Bhāgavatam is not meant for any particular sectarian class; it is specifically designed for sincere souls who genuinely desire ultimate welfare and eternal peace. The questions and answers exchanged between the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya and Sūta Gosvāmī are supremely intelligent because they pertain exclusively to Lord Kṛṣṇa and the deliverance of suffering humanity.
However, access to the deep mysteries of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is restricted by one's qualifications. Envious Māyāvādī philosophers and impersonalists cannot comprehend its essence. The knowledge must be received through the proper channel of the Bhāgavata school's disciplic succession. One must hear from a realized soul who is a factual representative of Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the liberated sage who first spoke the text to Mahārāja Parīkṣit. It is strictly advised to avoid professional reciters who use the Bhāgavatam merely as a business to earn their livelihood. By faithfully receiving the message through the authorized line, human society can perfectly understand the Absolute Truth and achieve ultimate liberation.
- The Ultimate Vedic Authority: The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the natural and original commentary on the Brahma-sūtra, presenting the absolute conclusion of all Vedic knowledge.
- Rejection of Cheating Religion: The text explicitly condemns fruitive rituals and demigod worship for material gain, establishing unalloyed devotional service as the only true religion.
- The Necessity of Disciplic Succession: To realize the text's transcendental nature, one must hear it from a bona fide representative of Śukadeva Gosvāmī, avoiding impersonalists and professional reciters.
- The Cure for Material Suffering: Compiled out of compassion by Vyāsadeva, the Bhāgavatam contains the essential questions and answers regarding Kṛṣṇa that alone can satisfy the soul's hankering for eternal peace.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Cantos of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam - The Spotless Purāṇa of the Absolute Truth.
Subcategories
This category has the following 14 subcategories, out of 14 total.
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Pages in category "Cantos of the Srimad-Bhagavatam"
The following 26 pages are in this category, out of 26 total.
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- In the Sixth Canto of SB, in connection with Ajamila's deliverance, Yamaraja says, dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam: real religion is that which is given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, just as real law is that which is given by the government
- In the Vedas, the above-mentioned four activities are prescribed in the regulative way so that there will not be any undue competition for sense gratification. But Srimad-Bhagavatam is transcendental to all these sense gratificatory activities
- It is clear in this (SB 4th canto chapter 28) verse that at the time of death thoughts of material enjoyment do not go away. This indicates that the living entity, the soul, is carried by the subtle body - mind, intelligence and ego
- It is clearly said that this Bhagavatam is the original commentary on the Brahma-sutras
- It is further comprehended herein (SB 1.2.24) that one has to rise to the platform of the mode of goodness (sattva) so that one can be eligible for the devotional service of the Lord
S
- Since it has been stated hereinbefore that in the Bhagavatam the Absolute Truth is to be known, the questions of the sages of Naimisaranya are proper and just, because they pertain to Krsna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Truth
- Srila Kaviraja Gosvami, strictly following in the footsteps of Sri Vyasadeva, gives a synopsis of the lilas of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. He has given such a description at the end of each canto
- Srimad-Bhagavatam is not meant for any particular class of men or sect. It is for the sincere soul who actually wants his own welfare and peace of mind
- Srimad-Bhagavatam is transcendental to all of them because it has nothing to do with anything mundane. So the inquiries are very intelligent and relevant
- Such a personality of devotee is not a professional man who earns his livelihood by the business of Bhagavatam
- Suta Gosvami is twice addressed herein (SB 1.4.2) by Saunaka Gosvami out of great joy because he and the members of the assembly were eager to hear the text of Bhagavatam uttered by Sukadeva Gosvami
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- The BG is the spoken message of the Lord Himself recorded by Vyasadeva, and the SB is the transcendental narration of the activities of the same Krsna, which alone can satisfy the hankering desires of the living being for eternal peace and liberation
- The dissatisfaction which was being felt by Srila Vyasadeva is expressed herein (SB 1.4.31) in his own words. This was felt for the normal condition of the living being in the devotional service of the Lord
- The envious Mayavadi cannot have access to the Bhagavatam, but those who are really anxious to get out of this material existence may take shelter of this Bhagavatam because it is uttered by the liberated Srila Sukadeva Gosvami
- The followers of the Vedas have a different method of acquiring knowledge. They accept the statements of the Vedic literatures as authority in toto, as we have already discussed in Canto One
- The living being thus subject to the control of external energy is differently situated. It is clear, however, from the present statement of Bhagavatam that the same external energy is situated in the inferior position before the SPG, or the perfect being
- The River Sarasvati is flowing in the Badarikasrama area of the Himalayas. So the place indicated here is Samyaprasa in Badarikasrama, where Sri Vyasadeva is residing
- The Vedic literatures, especially the BG and the Srimad-Bhagavatam, are specifically recommended to suffering humanity to bring about the desired effect of liberation from the pangs of material civilization, which is eating the vital part of human energy
- There are so many inquiries by the learned Saunaka Muni because Srimad-Bhagavatam is the special contribution of Srila Vyasadeva
- They (six Gosvamis) have chalked out ways for all classes of men in terms of the different castes and orders of life in pursuance of the teachings of Srimad-Bhagavatam and similar other authoritative scriptures
- This is the history of a monarchy (of the descendants of Ajamidha) that began with Jarasandha and continues for one thousand years as the above-mentioned kings (in SB 9th Canto, Chapter 22) appear on the surface of the globe
- This process of disciplic succession of the Bhagavata school suggests that in the future also Srimad-Bhagavatam has to be understood from a person who is factually a representative of Srila Sukadeva Gosvami
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- We are sure that everyone in human society will welcome Srimad-Bhagavatam, even though it is now presented with so many faults, for it is recommended by Sri Narada, who has very kindly appeared in this chapter
- We cannot live for a moment without being questioned or without giving answers. Because the SB deals with questions and answers that are related to Krsna, we can derive the highest satisfaction only by reading and hearing this transcendental literature
- Worshiping the multidemigods for material gain is practically a perversity of religion. This sort of religious activity has been condemned in the very beginning of the Bhagavatam as kaitava-dharma