|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 16– The legend of Lord Krishna -  16 – The introduction to Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran

Nigamakalpatharor Galitham Phalam Shuka Mukhath Amrithadhrava Samyutham | Pibatha Bhagavatham Rasamalayam Muharaho Rasika Bhuvi Bhavuka ||Dharma Projjitha Kaithavoathra Paramo Nirmathsaranam Satham  Vedhyam Vasthavamathra Vasthu Shivadham Thapathrayonmoolanam |Srimad Bhagavathe  Mahamunikrithe  Kim Va  Paraireeshvara:  Sadhyo Hridhyavarudhyatheathra Krithibhi: Shushrushubhi: Thath Kshanath || Srimad Bhagavatham Purana Thilakam Yadhvaishnavanam Dhanam  Yasmin Paramahamsyamevam Amalam Gnanam Paramgeeyathe| Yathra  Gnana Viraga Bhakthi Sahitham Naishkarmyamavishkritham Thacchrunvan Prapadan Vicharanaparo Bhakthya Vimuchyennara: || Swarge Sathye Cha Kailase  Vaikunde  Nasthyayam Rasa: | Atha: Pibanthu Sadhbhakthya Mama Munjjatha Karhichith ||

ShukaBhramam speaks “ Oh! Bhavuk who is full of feelings and passion drink this auspicious Bhagavatham which is the essence of nectar-like Nigamashasthra, take pleasure in the fully ripened juicy fruit that was tasted by the parrot.  It highly recommends the Dharma/path of righteousness to remain mutually respectful, and auspicious, it removes three kinds of grave sins, and afflictions.  This Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran composed by Maharishi Vedavyasa is none other than the supreme Lord.  Whoever takes extreme pleasure in it would get relieved from all kinds of miseries and sorrows of worldly existence.  Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran is the jewel among the scriptures/Puranathilakam, it is the greatest wealth of the devotees of Lord Vishnu. It imparts the supreme knowledge of wisdom, along with Bhakti Gnana and Vairagya, whoever reads or listens to it would get liberated from the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence. It is available to none of the celestials; therefore it should be heard and recite it with intense devotion and faith.”

Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran has twelve cantos, three hundred and thirty-five chapters, and it has eighteen thousands of verses begin as follows:

Samsarasagare Magnam Dheenam Mam Karunanidhe | Karma Graha Grihithangam Mam Udhdhara Bhavarnnavath ||Srimad Bhagavathakhyoayam Prathyaksha:  Krishna Yeva HI | Sweekrithoasi Maya Natha  Mukthyarththam Bhavasagare || Manorathamadheeyoayam Sapahala: Sarvadha Thvaya| Nirvighnenaiva Karthavya : Dhasoaham Thava Keshava || Shukaroopa Prabhodhajja Sarvashasthravisharadha | Yethath Katha  Prakashena Madhajjanam Vinashaya || Bhave Bhave Yadha Bhakthi: Padhayosthava Jayathe | Thadha Kurushva Devesha  Nathasthvam No Yatha: Prabho || Namasankeerthanam Yasya  Sarvapapa Pranashanam | Pranamo Dhukhashamana: Tham Namami Harim Param || Krishnaya Vasudevaya  Haraye Paramathmane  Pranathakleshaanashaya Govindaya Namo Nama: || Sarvathra Govindanama Sankeerthanam Govinda Govinda ||

Gum Gurubhyo Nama: | Gam Ganapathaye Nama: | Sam Saraswathyai Nama: | Dham Dhakshinamoorthyai Nama: | Vam Vedavyasaya Nama: | Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya | Harishri Ganapathaye Avignamasthu||

Oh! Karunanidhe/compassionate one, I am completely worn out and helpless, drenched in the worldly matters and bondage of unfathomable ocean of worldly existence. I have been into various deeds with an extreme desire to fulfill my personal objectives, hence kindly elevate my soul from the ocean of worldly existence. Oh! Bhagavan, I shall reverentially prostrate before the glorious scripture Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran, kindly accept my humble salutations to you. Oh! Natha, kindly elevate me from the ocean of worldly existence.  Oh! Keshava, kindly shower your grace upon us, to perform all the duties and responsibilities as a servant of you. I shall prostrate before the supreme preceptor Shukha who imparted the knowledge on the glorious scripture which holds supremacy over all the scriptures that could remove all the impurities of the mind/ignorance, jealousy, ego, and pride.  Oh! Prabho, Oh! Devesha, the enhancement of devotion upon your lotus feet would keep us protected always. Oh! Prabho, singing in praise of your glories would remove all the sins of the worshiper, Oh! Hari, you are the destroyer of all the sorrows and miseries. Oh! Krishna, Oh! Vasudeva, Oh! Hari, Oh! Paramathma, I shall repeatedly prostrate before the supreme Lord Govinda who removes all the afflictions of the devotees who are surrendered to him.

I shall pronounce the sacred syllable ‘Gu’ and prostrate before the supreme Preceptor who removes the darkness of ignorance, I shall pronounce the sacred syllable “Ga’ and prostrate before the supreme Lord Ganesha who is the remover of obstacles, I shall pronounce the sacred syllable ‘Sa’ and prostrate before the supreme Goddess Saraswathi who symbolizes wisdom and knowledge, I shall pronounce the sacred syllable “Dha’ and prostrate before the supreme Lord Dhakshinamurthi who symbolizes supreme wisdom, I shall pronounce the sacred syllable ‘Va’ and prostrate before Maharishi Vedavyasa who is none other than Lord Vishnu. I shall repeatedly prostrate before the supreme Lord Vasudeva and Lord Ganesha as well.