|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 19 – The significance of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran

Sutha Pauranika describes the source of the Jewel of all the scriptures ‘Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran’ which was received by Lord Bhrama from Lord Sriman Narayana, in the form of  Chathushloki Bhagavath.  Later, it was retold to Maharishi Narada by Lord Bhrama.  It was narrated by Maharishi Narada to Maharishi Vedavyasa who retold to Shukhadev Maharaj in Badarikasharam.  Later, it was retold by Shukadev Maharaj to Pareekshith in Naimisharanya.

Shuka, Shaunaka and eighty eight sages and Rishis assembled were elderly, Sutha Pauranika was young, Shaunakadhis prostrated before him and asked “ Bhagavan, kindly shower brightness like Sun in our hearts to remove the ignorance, and shed the light of supreme wisdom, knowledge, devotion, and a sense of renunciation.  Kindly enlighten us the knowledge which could remove the Thapathraya/Samsara Dhukha Bhaya Shamanam/three types of miseries and fear.”

Sutha Pauranika describes the qualification required for a person to be seated as speaker of the scriptures must be a Vipra/twice-born who sincerely perform all the Bhraminic rites, he should have thorough knowledge on the subject, he must be a renounced soul, he should have thorough knowledge in Veda and Vedanta.  It was the beginning of Kali era, the people became lethargic to perform spiritual or religious rites, they have become pleasure-seekers, wicked and deceitful, intellect was polluted with impurities/Ragadhvesha, and people are troubled with short memories, disbelief, and lack of devotion, illnesses, addictions and short life span.  The Shukashaunakadhis had six questions in their mind to get it clarified from Sutha Pauranika. (1) What’s the source of spiritual advancement in the Kali era? (2) What is the essence of all the scriptures? There are several scriptures available and it requires 500 years to go through it, but the life span is too limited in Kali Yuga. (3) Why did Lord Krishna personify on the Earth? What was the purpose of his incarnation? (4) what are the passionate sports of Lord Krishna? (5) What are the various incarnations of the Supreme Lord? Kindly describe them (6) Where does Dharma exist after Lord Krishna’s departure from the Earth?

Sutha Pauranika describes pure devotion and love to the supreme Lord is the only source for spiritual advancement in the Kali era.  The methods of contemplating upon supreme Lord in his marvelous form, reciting his glorious myths and remembering his pastimes would purify the intellect of the individual.  The essence of all the scriptures, Veda, Ithihas, Puranas, narrates the path of righteousness,  Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran describes the endless pastimes of Lord Krishna which cultivates pure love to Lord.  Therefore, Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran is the essence of all the scriptures.  The Supreme Lord incarnates on the Earth to perform various amusements and purify the intellect of the souls.  The entire Bhgavath Mahapuran speaks about the various passionate sport of Lord Krishna.  Though the Supreme Lord has various incarnations, there are twenty-two Avathars speaks highly about his splendor that are Sanaka, Sanandhana, Sanathkumara, Sanathan, Kapila, Prithu, Yajjya, Rishabhadeva, Mohini, Dhanvanthari,  Buddha,  Vedavyasa, Narada, Nara Narayana, Matsya, Koorma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Srirama, Balarama, Srikrishna, and impending incarnation as Kaliki.  The supreme Lord performed various passionate sport and once the purpose of the incarnation was over, he returned to his supreme abode, the Dharma took its shelter in Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran.