A Synopsis of Srimat Bhagavatam (Set of Two Volumes)

$33
Item Code: NAG668
Publisher: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, Tirupati
Author: Pandit R.V. Srinivasa Acharya and R. Venkataramana Acharya
Language: English
Edition: 1962
Pages: 608
Cover: Paperback
Other Details 8.5 inch X 5.5 inch
Weight 600 gm
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Book Description

Volume 1

Foreword

The message of Sanatana Dharma as revealed in the traditional scriptures of India is timeless in relevance, universal in appeal and vastly comprehensive in range and sweep. It lays its accent on spirituality as distinct, from creeds and practices which are secondary.

The great itihasas and puranas uphold righteousness and guide the individual in the duties he has to perform to the family, society, the nation and the humanity. They also teach us how God-realisation can be attained even while performing the duties allotted to us in this world.

The Bhagavata, foremost among the puranas, is considered as one of the most sacred scriptures of the country. It is the quintessence of Vedanta and an encyclopaedia of methods of devotion. It contains not only the story of Lord Narayana’s incarnations but also all the teachings necessary for guiding an aspirant to salvation.

The present book is in fact an abridged version of the great purana which is the cream of India’s spiritual philosophy. Written in an easy and translucent style, this synopsis was overwhelmingly popular with the readers when it was first published serially in the TTD Jouranal a few decades ago.

We are extremely happy to present this book to our readers and we fervently hope that the theistic public will derive immense benefit by reading this synopsis of a great religious classic.

Volume 2

Foreword

Hinduisam called as Vaidika, Sanathana or Arsha Dharma is having its origin in the Sacred Vedas and Prasthanatraya, Vedantas/Upanishads, Dharma Sutras and Bhagavadgita. Next come the Ithihasa-Puranas which play more important role for the common man, who were deprived of celestial and golden treasure of divine language, the Sanskrit. But it is told “lthihasa-puranabhyam, vedam samupa brihmayet”. From the Ithihasa-puranas, we can imbibe vedic wisdom. Hence the sacred trio, i.e., Ramayana, Bharatha and Bhagavatha are also as sacred and important as the Vedas or Prasthanatraya.

Moreover, the puranas are told in a tell-tale mode and they are lucid in style. Ramayana is embodiment of Karma or Dharma, Bharatha is personified as Gnana and Bhagavatha is the incarnation of Bhakti, the devotion with complete surrender or selflessness, which are the three main scriptural texts of our religion. In this context Srimat Bhagavatam is the commentary or practical project work of devoted soul in one and all the types of major and minor cults of Bhakti i.e. Utthama, Madhyama and in simple lines, comprising with the tendencies and attitudes of the ten incarnations of Sri Hari, depicting one and the same profound intellect. Dvaparayuga statesman and the Jagannataka Suthradhari, Sri Krishna.

The inspiring story of this divine Almighty, Sri Krishna is highlighted in the Tenth Skandha of Bhagavatham where-as the preceding nine skandhas narrate other seven avatharas. The mystique and ethics of avatara and the splendour of devotion are exquistely interwoven in the texture of Bhagavata. This grand epic is indeed embodied in itself Bhagavatha, the God. The word Bhagavatha literally signifies both the God and devotee and thereby establishes the unity in plurality.

The present book is an abridged version of “Mahabhagavata” which is acclaimed as the encyclopaedia of Bhakti. Written in a clear and simple style, ‘Synopsis of Bhagavatam’ brings out the essence of this great purana to the readers. We are extremely glad to present the second edition of this book to our readers.

Preface

The compilation of this work, Srimat Bhagavatam or Srimat Bhagavata Sara Sangraha, which is a synopsis of the sacred scripture, has been completed by the Grace of Lord Sri Venkateswara, and the good wishes of friends, who have been of assistance to us in proceeding with the work. We offer our prostrations to the Supreme Lord, and our sincere thanks to the friends, who have been of good help to us.

Among the numerous devotional works, which are the pride and glory of Sanskrit literature, Srimad Bhagavatha is a monumental work of outstanding value to the humanity, especially in this fallen Kali age. We have compiled this work after a close study of the subject in several volumes. We have however to admit that, the compilation of a great work in a foreign language can never bring out the charm of the original, however skilfully the compilation is done. We shall be satisfied if it shadows forth the spirit of the original in its prominent feature. We have attempted to give a very faithful, rendering of the original; and we hope that it will reflect, however faintly, the real tone and spirit of the original work. We have endeavoured to maintain the dignity and tone of devotion, which is so characteristic of this sacred immortal scripture. The devout readers are requested to overlook any inaccuracies in the book, which creep in due to the nature of the vast work and the humble capacity of the compilers.

Sri Vedavyasa, also known as Sri Krishna-Dvaipayana, is the author of the original glorious work-Srimad Bhagavatha. He was an Avathar, born as the son of Sage Parasara, about the end of Dvapara Yuga, by His wife Satyavathi. With the coming of the Kali age, general deterioration set its foot on the land, by way of the diminution in the potency of material objects, and the degeneration of the people, who had grown irreverent, weak, dullwitted, short-lived and unlucky.

To suit the times, Sri Vyasa divided the original extensive and composite Veda into foul’ parts (Rig, Yajus, Sama and Atharvana), and taught them to four different disciples, to master and propagate them to four different sections of the Brahmanas. The division was made with a view that even men of poor merit might be able to retain the scripture in parts at least.

Next, Sri Vyasa wrote the Mahabharata and other Puranas. In spite of all these compilations, He was not satisfied and felt that something more was wanted for this world of Kali age. On a discussion with Sage Narada, Sri Vyasa concluded that although the Vedas, Itihasas and other Puranas gave a narration of the history of the universe, facts, truths and Dharma, the Glories of the Supreme Lord of various names and forms, in His various Avataras, had not been adequately sung, to be of sufficient benefit to the degraded humanity in the Kali age. Thereafter, Sri Vyasa compiled Srimath Bhagavatha Purana, which is the foremost of the eighteen Puranas. It consists of twelve Skandhas or parts, each containing several chapters. It is assigned the first place, as it is conducive to the four objects of human pursuits of religious merit- Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. The supreme religion is Bhagavatha Dharma, which is the religion of God worship. In fact, it is a Divine nectar, and is itself a Kalpa Vriksha, brought to the earth for the benefit of the God-minded mankind. Reading of, or listening to, this sacred book will please the Supreme Lord immense I v. It is substantially claimed that worship of, or even the presence of, a copy of the scripture in the house, wards off all evil influences; and blessed will be the inmates of the household with peace and plenty.

Duties efficiently performed, according to Varna and Asrama Dharmas, please Sri Hari. Therefore, one should ever sing or hear the praises of, meditate upon, and worship, the Lord, who ever protects His devotees. Constant meditation on Him cuts asunder the evils of Karma and develops a longing for His stories, which purify the devotees, in whose hearts, He will abide and uproot evil propensities. Sri Hari alone is the supreme bestower of all auspiciousness for the devotees.

Of all Puranas, the best is the Bhagavatha Purana. Out of the twelve Skandhas of it, the tenth Skandha is the most sacred and valuable for the reason that it narrates exclusively the most glorious deeds and the most auspicious stones of the Most Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna. Hearing His glories is a sure cure for agony of the mankind. Only wise men, who withdraw from worldly enjoyment, experience Divine Bliss. Once the joy of embracing the Lord’s feet is realised, one would not think of abandoning them; and he will never forget the sweetness of the Lord’s feet. The Supreme Lord is the real strength of our heart and soul. So is our need to worship him with devotion.

In fine, we wish to express the hope that this work may be of some use to those, who, on account of their lack of familiarity with the Sanskrit language, find it difficult to read the original for themselves. Even those, who are acquainted with Sanskrit may, now and then, use this work for light reading. If this book will serve to draw at least a few readers to the invaluable treasures of wisdom, prosperity and auspiciousness, contained in this sacred work, we shall feel highly satisfied that our humble labour has met with more than due reward. For a glimpse of the importance of this vast work, an introduction to the glorious scripture is given below. May the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna and the Exalted Lord Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara bless us all with Their Grace.

Introduction

Srimath Bhagavatha is a glorious Purana-which is known as Paramahamsa Samhita or the book of God-realised souls. It consists of twelve Skandhas or parts, each containing several chapters. This Bhagavatha Purana is the foremost in sacredness, and it is held in the highest esteem by all Hari-Bhakthas. After the four Vedas, the Upanishads recognise the Puranas as the fifth Veda, as they are the authority on divine and religious matters. Dharmasastras are based mainly on the Puranas. Yagnavalkya therefore assigns the foremost place to the Puranas, among which Srimath Bhagavatha occupies the first place, conducive, as it is, to the four objects of human pursuit-religious merit, earthly possessions, sensuous enjoyment and final beatitude.

Our Most Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna has enjoined that one should listen to Srimath Bhagavatha daily full of reverence, as that will please Him most. He has ordained that a person who recites a single verse from the Bhagavatha Purana attains the merit of reciting all the eighteen Puranas. The daily recitation of one half or a quarter of a verse from Bhagavatha earns the merit of the gift of a thousand cows; and the recitation of even a single letter of a verse earns the merit of a Godana. The presence of a copy of the Bhagavatha book in the house wards off all evils; and men who worship the book in their house, are thoroughly purged of all their sins, and are even adored by the Devas. The spirits of one’s forefathers will be blessed with the drink of milk, butter, honey and sweet water, so long as the sacred book exists in one’s house. When, in the Kali age, the people are subjected to all evil influences, they are wise, who keep a copy of the Bhagavatha Book in their home and Worship it, as the Supreme Lord stay there all the time, along with other Divinities. The abode becomes sacred as all the virtues of sacred rivers, lakes and Kshetras abide there. The glorious and holy Bhagavatha confers on Bhakthas health, prosperity and longevity, freeing the persons from all sins.

Sree Vedavyasa is the author of Srimath Bhagavatha, the most sacred of all the eighteen Puranas. The Supreme religion is Bhagavatha Dharma, which is the religion of God-Worship. The Purana deals about the Supreme Lord, from Whom the universe springs up, in Whom it abides, and into Whom it returns. The Omnipresent and Omnipotent Almighty, who is Self-conscious and Self-effulgent, first revealed the four Vedas and other scriptures to Brahma, who propagated them to the world for the benefit of mankind. While it is difficult to realise God in one’s heart by other means, the blessed soul can easily have realisation by real devotion to Bhagavatha, which is a Kalpa Vriksha dropped to the earth for the benefit of the mankind. It is Divine nectar.

In the great forest of Naimisaranya, a great sacrifice, lasting a thousand year was once celebrated. Several seers and sages had collected. On this occasion, Sri Saunaka and other Sages requested Sri Suta Mahamuni to expound Srimath Bhagavatha Purana, which is a means of supreme good for men.

In this Kali age, the people are mostly short-lived, slothful, dull-witted and unlucky; and they are tormented with diseases and other evils. The blessed stories of the Supreme Lord ward off the evils, purify the men’s hearts, and give them peace and plenty. When Sri Krishna’s mortal frame had left the material world for His Heavenly Abode, the cursed Kali Yuga began. Therefore, the sages desired the purification of themselves and their clan, by hearing the sacred discourses about the Most Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, from the mouth of the learned Sage Suta.

Sage Suta was very pleased with the request, as he was thereby enabled to expound the sacred Bhagavatha as a blessing to himself, the sages and all the world. The scripture is a mysterious Purana, possessing the glory of its own and constituting the very essence of all the Vedas, illuminating the spiritual realities for the welfare of the world. The sage reverently bowed to Sri Suka Deva, son of Sri Vedavyasa, the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna and goddess Saraswathi; and inaugurated the discourse, which is conducive to the welfare of the world, and which purifies human hearts, induces devotion to Sri Hari and enables the soul to realise the All-Blissful Lord. Duties efficiently performed according to Vama and Asrama Dharmas, please Sri Hari. Therefore one should ever hear and sing the praises of, meditate upon, and worship, the Lord, Who ever protects His devotees. Constant meditation on Him cuts as under the evils of Karma, and develops a desire for hearing His stories, which purify the devotees, in whose hearts He will abide and uproot evil propensities. The mind is then free from the passions of lust and greed, which are a result of Rajas and Thamas. The moment a man realises and sees God, his knot of ignorance is cut, his doubts dispersed, and the entire stock of his Karmas liquidated. Sri Hari alone is the bestower of the Supreme good for men.

Therefore it is that the sages of yore worshipped Sri Hari, Who is pure Sattva personified, and Whose, mere Grace makes men blessed. The Vedas treat of Sri Vasudeva ultimately, the sacrifices aim at the realisation of Him, the various Yogas lead to Him, all rituals aim at His Grace, all wisdom is to please Him, He is the goal of all austere penance, and all destinies culminate in Him. It is He, by whatever name you may call Him-Sri Hari, Vasudeva, Vishnu, Rama, Krishna, Govinda, Narayana, or any of His innumerable names, who creates to different worlds, descends by way of His sport in different forms and Avataras, and protects all the beings in His creation with the best of His Grace.

Contents

Volume 1

 

  Volume-1  
l. I Skandha 1
2 II Skandha 26
3 III Skandha 44
4 IV Skandha 87
5 V Skandha 139
6 VI Skandha 176
7 VII Skandha 205
8 VIII Skandha 230
  Volume 2  
1 IX Skandha 1
2 X Skandha - Part-I 35
3 X Skandha - Part-II 141
4 XI Skandha 229
5 XII Skandha 297

Sample Pages

Volume - I











Volume - II











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