Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, an epic philosophical and literary classic, holds a prominent position in India’s voluminous written wisdom. The timeless wisdom of India is expressed in the Vedas, ancient Sanskrit texts that touch upon all fields of human knowledge. Originally preserved through oral tradition, the Vedas were first put into writing by Śrīla Vyāsadeva, the “literary incarnation of God.” After compiling the Vedas, Śrīla Vyāsadeva was inspired by his spiritual master to present their profound essence in the form of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Known as “the ripened fruit of the tree of Vedic literature,” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the most complete and authoritative exposition of Vedic knowledge.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
- Prefaceplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam Preface
We must know the present need of human society. And what is that need? Human society is no longer bounded by geographical limits to particular countries or communities. Human society is broader than in the Middle Ages, and the world tendency is toward one state or one human society. The ideals of spiritual communism, according to - Introductionplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam Introduction
The conception of God and the conception of Absolute Truth are not on the same level. The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam hits on the target of the Absolute Truth. The conception of God indicates the controller, whereas the conception of the Absolute Truth indicates the
- Creationplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam Canto 1: Creation
Canto 1 sets the foundation for the Srimad Bhagavatam starting with the philosophy of devotion. It gives insight into Vyasadeva’s inspiration to write the Srimad Bhagavatam through conversations with the great Sage Narada Muni. The reader is lead from the battlefield of Kuruksetra through the years leading up to King Pariksit’s education on the Ganga River by Sukadeva Goswami. - The Cosmic Manifestationplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam Canto 2: The Cosmic Manifestation
Providing not only descriptions regarding the actual Process of Creation but also a list of the particular Functions of the Various Incarnations of the Lord since the beginning of time. - The Status Quoplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam Canto 3: The Status Quo
In this canto one finds not only a direct description of the Kingdom of God but also details of the fundamental Principles of the Material Nature and the Glories of Devotional Service, or Bhakti Yoga. - The Creation of the Fourth Orderplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam Canto 4: The Creation of the Fourth Order
Personal pastimes involving infamous demigods like Lord Brahma and Lord Siva as well as the transcendental sage and spaceman Narada Muni and his musical vina. - The Creative Impetusplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam Canto 5: The Creative Impetus
Details of the history of the descent of the River Ganges from the celestial realm to the studies of the actual Structure of the Universe as well as other planetary systems according to the Vedic perspective. - Prescribed Duties for Mankindplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam Canto 6: Prescribed Duties for Mankind
* The History of the Life of Ajāmila * Ajāmila Delivered by the Viṣṇudūtas * Yamarāja Instructs His Messengers * The Haṁsa-guhya Prayers * Nārada Muni Cursed by Prajāpati Dakṣa * The Progeny of the Daughters of Dakṣa * Indra Offends His Spiritual Master, Bṛhaspati * The Nārāyaṇa-kavaca Shield * Appearance of the Demon Vṛtrāsura * The Battle Between the Demigods and Vṛtrāsura * The Transcendental Qualities of Vṛtrāsura * Vṛtrāsura's Glorious Death * King Indra Afflicted by Sinful Reaction * King Citraketu's Lamentation * The Saints Nārada and Aṅgirā Instruct King Citraketu * King Citraketu Meets the Supreme Lord * Mother Pārvatī Curses Citraketu * Diti Vows to Kill King Indra * Performing the Puṁsavana Ritualistic Ceremony - The Science of Godplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam Canto 7: The Science of God
The Supreme Lord Is Equal to Everyone ・ Hiraṇyakaśipu, King of the Demons ・ Hiraṇyakaśipu's Plan to Become Immortal ・ Hiraṇyakaśipu Terrorizes the Universe ・ Prahlāda Mahārāja, the Saintly Son of Hiraṇyakaśipu ・ Prahlāda Instructs His Demoniac Schoolmates ・ What Prahlāda Learned in the Womb ・ Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva Slays the King of the Demons ・ Prahlāda Pacifies Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva with Prayers ・ Prahlāda, the Best Among Exalted Devotees ・ The Perfect Society: Four Social Classes ・ The Perfect Society: Four Spiritual Classes ・ The Behavior of a Perfect Person ・ Ideal Family Life ・ Instructions for Civilized Human Beings - Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creationsplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam Canto 8: Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations
Canto 8: Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations The Manus, Administrators of the UniverseThe Elephant Gajendra's CrisisGajendra's Prayers of SurrenderGajendra Returns to the Spiritual WorldThe Demigods Appeal to the Lord for ProtectionThe Demigods and Demons Declare a TruceLord Śiva Saves the Universe by Drinking PoisonThe Churning of the Milk OceanThe Lord Incarnates as Mohinī-MūrtiThe Battle Between the Demigods and the DemonsKing Indra Annihilates the DemonsThe Mohinī-mūrti Incarnation Bewilders … - Liberationplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam Canto 9: Liberation
Canto 9: Liberation King Sudyumna Becomes a WomanThe Dynasties of the Sons of ManuThe Marriage of Sukanyā and Cyavana MuniAmbarīṣa Mahārāja Offended by Durvāsā MuniDurvāsā Muni's Life SparedThe Downfall of Saubhari MuniThe Descendants of King MāndhātāThe Sons of Sagara Meet Lord KapiladevaThe Dynasty of AṁśumānThe Pastimes of the Supreme Lord, RāmacandraLord Rāmacandra Rules the WorldThe Dynasty of Kuśa, the Son of Lord RāmacandraThe Dynasty of Mahārāja NimiKing Purūravā Enchanted by UrvaśīParaś… - The Summum Bonumplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam Canto 10: The Summum Bonum
The Summum Bonum Summary of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam Canto 10The Advent of Lord Kṛṣṇa: IntroductionPrayers by the Demigods for Lord Kṛṣṇa in the WombThe Birth of Lord KṛṣṇaThe Atrocities of King KaṁsaThe Meeting of Nanda Mahārāja and VasudevaThe Killing of the Demon PūtanāThe Killing of the Demon TṛṇāvartaLord Kṛṣṇa Shows the Universal Form Within His MouthMother Yaśodā Binds Lord KṛṣṇaDeliverance of the Yamala-arjuna TreesThe Childhood Pastimes of KṛṣṇaThe Killing of the Demon AghāsuraThe Stealing of …
From the back cover
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, an epic philosophical and literary classic, holds a prominent position in India’s voluminous written wisdom. The timeless wisdom of India is is expressed in the Vedas, ancient Sanskrit texts that touch upon all fields of human knowledge. Originally preserved through oral tradition, the Vedas were first put into writing by Śrīla Vyāsadeva, the “literary incarnation of God.” After compiling the Vedas, Śrīla Vyāsadeva was inspired by his spiritual master to present their profound essence in the form of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Known as “the ripened fruit of the tree of Vedic literature,” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the most complete and authoritative exposition of Vedic knowledge. ¶
Scholars Praise this Edition of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam:
“This is a work to be treasured. No one of whatever faith or philosophical persuasion who reads these books with an open mind can fail to be both moved and impressed…”
“It has been my great pleasure recently to have read the Srimad-Bhagavatam in the superb edition authorized by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. … I am sure this monumental work will go far to bring the sublime message of the Bhagavatam to numerous Westerners who otherwise would miss this opportunity.”
“The Srimad-Bhagavatam is extremely useful for all those interested in ancient India, whether their interest be that of the philosopher, the student of religion, the historian, the linguist, the sociologist or the political scientist. … I truly hope that Srila Prabhupada will complete his translation of the entire Bhagavata and continue to translate other eminent Sanskrit works as well. Undoubtedly, this work of Swamiji’s is a great contribution to the troubled human society of today’s world.”
“The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust editions of famous religious classics of India, with new translations and commentaries, are an important addition to our expanding knowledge of spiritual India. The new edition of the Srimad-Bhagavatam is particularly welcome.”
“ … A commentary on the Vedanta-sutra by Srila Vyasadeva divided into twelve ‘cantos’ of which four are presented here in eight beautifully produced volumes. These lavish volumes, obviously the product of devotional effort, contain many lovely full-color illustrations…”
“In the diversity of religious approaches offered by the yogis of India, the most significant, of course, is the way of Krsna consciousness. It is amazing to see how Sri Bhaktivedanta Swami has in less than ten years succeeded, by his personal devotion, untiring energy and efficient direction, in organizing the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Now, he has undertaken the stupendous project of rendering the entire Bhagavata, the great devotional classic of India, into English. His edition is learning blended with devotional feeling and inspired by a definite purpose of communicating the intense Iyrical and devotional quality of the Bhagavata. Srila Prabhupada has done an excellent service by his able rendition of ‘the abode of divine joy’ that the Bhagavata is.”
“It is axiomatic that no book can be expected entirely to satisfy all its potential readers. Here is one, however, which can be said to come remarkably close to that ideal. …we have here the ideal of what an edition of a Sanskrit text for a Western audience should be.”
“ … For those who have no access to the Sanskrit language, these books convey, in superb manner, the message of the Bhagavatam. In addition to being a scholarly work, it directly reflects the spiritual aspirations of a religious community which has gained considerable popularity in modern America.”
“Srimad-Bhagavatam is a valuable source material and cannot but be attractive to serious students and scholars of religion and philosophy. I recommend this series, to anyone, as an important and useful reference work.”