Intro from BBT's 1985 Bhagavatam 10th Canto

bhaktajan · November 27, 2007

The following is a condensed version I wrote of the `Introduction' in the BBT's 1985 Edition of the Srimad-Bhagavatam 10th Canto Part two. [the same intro is included below for reference]:

The timeless wisdom of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> is expressed in the ancient Sanskrit Vedas. Originally preserved through oral tradition, the Vedas were first put into writing five thousand years ago by Srila Vyasadeva, “the literary incarnation of God.” After compiling the Vedas, Vyasadeva set forth their essence in the aphorisms known as Vedanta-sutras.

From Isopanisad Introdution: But five thousand years ago Vyasadeva put the Vedas in writing for the people in this age, Kali-yuga. He divided the Vedas into four: Rig, Sama, Atharva and Yajur. Then he gave the charge of these Vedas to his different disciples. Then Vyasadeva summarized all Vedic knowledge for scholars and philosophers in what is called the Vedanta-sutra. This is the last word of the Vedas. Vyasadeva was not very satisfied even after compiling many Puranas and Upanisads, and even after writing the Vedanta-sutra. Then his spiritual master, Narada, instructed him, “Explain the Vedanta-sutra.” Vedanta means “ultimate knowledge,” and the ultimate knowledge is Krsna. Krsna says that throughout all the Vedas one has to understand Him: vedanta-krd veda-vid eva caham. Krsna says, “I am the compiler of the Vedanta-sutra, and I am the knower of the Vedas.” Therefore the ultimate objective is Krsna. The Vedanta-sutra simply hints at what is Brahman, the Absolute Truth: “The Absolute Truth is that from whom everything emanates.” This is a summary, but it is explained in detail in Srimad-Bhagavatam. If everything is emanating from the Absolute Truth, then what is the nature of the Absolute Truth? That is explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam. The Absolute Truth must be consciousness. He is self-effulgent (svarat). We develop our consciousness and knowledge by receiving knowledge from others, but for Him it is said that He is self-effulgent. The whole summary of Vedic knowledge is the Vedanta-sutra, and the Vedanta-sutra is explained by the writer himself in Srimad-Bhagavatam. We finally request those who are actually after Vedic knowledge to try to understand the explanation of all Vedic knowledge from Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 1"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) is Vyasadeva’s commentary on his own Vedanta-sutras.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 2"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

After compiling the Bhagavatam, Vyasa imparted it to his son, Sukadeva Gosvami.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 3"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

Sukadeva Gosvami later recited the entire Bhagavatam to Maharaja Pariksit in an assembly of learned saints on the banks of the Ganges at Hastinapura (now <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:City>).

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 4"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

Maharaja Pariksit was the emperor of the world and was a great rajarsi (saintly king). Having received a curse that he would die within the seven days, he renounced his entire kingdom and retired to the bank of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Ganges</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">River</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> to fast until death and received spiritual enlightenment.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 5"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

The Bhagavatam begins with Emperor Pariksit’s inquiry to Sukadeva: Maharaja Pariksit: “You are the spiritual master of great saints and devotees. I am therefore begging you to show the way of perfection for all persons, and especially for one who is about to die. Please let me know what a man should hear, chant, remember and worship, and what he should not do. Please explain all this to me.”

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 6"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

Sukadeva often relates historical episodes and give accounts of lengthy philosophical discussions between such great souls as Narada Muni and Vasudeva.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 7"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

At a later date, the sage Suta Goswami, [who was present at the <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Ganges</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">River</st1:PlaceType> assembly] repeated the Bhagavatam before a gathering of Sages in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">forest</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Naimisaranya</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>. [These sages, concerned about the spiritual welfare of the people in general, gathered to perform a long, continuous chain of penances to counteract the degrading influence of the oncoming age of Kali.] In response to the sages’ request Suta Gosvami repeated from memory the entire Srimad-Bhagavatam, as spoken by Sukadeva to Pariksit.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 8"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

Also,

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 9"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

Suta Goswami sometimes responds directly to questions put by Saunaka Rsi, the spokesman for the sages gathered at Naimisaranya.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 10"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

One therefore simultaneously hears two dialogues: 1) between Maharaja Pariksit and Sukadeva Goswami on the bank of the <st1:place w:st="on">Ganges</st1:place>, and, 2) between the Suta Goswami and Saunaka Rsi, the spokesman for the sages gathered at Naimisaranya.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 11; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

With this understanding of the history of the Bhagavatam, the reader will easily be able to follow its intermingling of dialogues, and events from various sources.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

ys,

Bhaktajan

………………………………………………………….

re-printed verbatim:

"This Bhagavata Purana is as brilliant as the sun, and it has

arisen just after the departure of Lord Krsna to His own abode,

accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their

vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali

shall get light from this Purana." (SB 1.3.43)

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 five thousand years ago by Srila Vyasadeva, "the

literary incarnation of God." After compiling the Vedas, Vyasadeva

set forth their essence in the aphorisms known as Vedanta-sutras.

Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) is Vyasadeva's commentary on his

own Vedanta-sutras. It was written in the maturity of his spiritual

life under the direction of Narada Muni, his spiritual master.

Referred to as "the ripened fruit of the tree of Vedic literature,"

Srimad-Bhagavatam is the most complete and authoritative exposition

of Vedic Knowledge.

After compiling the Bhagavatam, Vyasa imparted the synopsis of

it to his son, the sage Sukadeva Gosvami. Sukadeva Gosvami

subsequently recited the entire Bhagavatam to Maharaja Pariksit in an

assembly of learned saints on the banks of the Ganges at Hastinapura

(now Delhi ). Maharaja Pariksit was the emperor of the world and was a

great rajarsi (saintly king). Having received a warning that he would

die within a week, he renounced his entire kingdom and retired to the

bank of the Ganges river to fast until death and received spiritual

enlightenment. The Bhagavatam begins with Emperor Pariksit's sober

inquiry to Sukadeva Goswami: "You are the spiritual master of great

saints and devotees. I am therefore begging you to show the way of

perfection for all persons, and especially for one who is about to

die. Please let me know what a man should hear, chant, remember and

worship, and what he should not do. Please explain all this to me."

Sukadeva Goswami's answer to this question, and numerous other

questions posed by Maharaja Pariksit, concerning everything from the

nature of the self to the origin of the universe, held the assembled

sages in rapt attention continuously for the seven days leading up to

the king's death. The sage Suta Goswami, who was present in that

assembly when Sukadeva Goswami first recited Srimad-Bhagavatam, later

repeated the Bhagavatam before a gathering of sages in the forest of

Naimisaranya . Those sages, concerned about the spiritual welfare of

the people in general, had gathered to perform a long, continuous

chain of sacrifices to counteract the degrading influence of the

incipient age of Kali. In response to the sages' request that he

speak the essence of Vedic wisdom, Suta Gosvami repeated from memory

the entire eighteen thousand verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam, as spoken

by Sukadeva Gosvami to Maharaja Pariksit.

The reader of Srimad-Bhagavatam hears Suta Gosvami relate the

questions of Maharaja Pariksit and the answers of Sukadeva Goswami.

Also, Suta Goswami sometimes responds directly to questions put by

Saunaka Rsi, the spokesman for the sages gathered at Naimisaranya.

One therefore simultaneously hears two dialogues: one between

Maharaja Pariksit and Sukadeva Goswami on the bank of the Ganges , and

another at Naimisaranya between the sages at Naimisaranya forest,

headed by Saunaka Rsi. Furthermore, while instructing King Pariksit,

Sukadeva Goswami often relates historical episodes and give accounts

of lengthy philosophical discussions between such great souls as

Narada Muni and Vasudeva. With this understanding of the history of

the Bhagavatam, the reader will easily be able to follow its

intermingling of dialogues, and events from various sources. Since

philosophical wisdom, not chronological order, is most important in

the text, one need only be attentive to the subject matter of Srimad-

Bhagavatam to appreciate fully its profound message.

The translators of this edition compare the Bhagavatam to sugar

candy—wherever you taste it, you will find it equally sweet and

relishable. Therefore, to taste the sweetness of the Bhagavatam, one

may begin by reading any of its volumes. After such an introductory

taste, however, the serious reader is best advised to go back to

Volume One of the First Canto and then proceed through the Bagavatam,

volume after volume, in its natural order.

This edition of the Bhagavatam is the first complete English

translation of this important text with an elaborate commentary, and

it is the first widely available to the English-speaking public. The

first thirty volumes (Canto One through Canto Ten, Volume Three) are

the product of the scholarly and devotional effort of His Divine

Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the world's most

distinguished teacher of Indian religious and philosophical thought,

His consummate Sanskrit scholarship and intimate familiarity with

Vedic culture and thought as well as the modern way of life combine

to reveal to the West a magnificent exposition of this important

classic. After the departure of Srila Prabhupada from this world in

1977, his monumental work of translating Srimad-Bhagavatam has been

continued by his disciples Hridayanada dasa Gosvami and

Gopiparanadhana dasa Adhikari.

Readers will find this work of value for many reasons. For those

interested in the classical roots of Indian civilization, it serves

as a vast reservoir of detailed information on virtually every one of

its aspects. For students of comparative philosophy and religion, the

Bhagavatam offers a penetrating view into the meaning of India 's

profound spiritual heritage. To sociologists and anthropologists, the

Bhagavatam reveals the practical workings of a peaceful and

scientifically organized Vedic culture, whose institutions were

integrated on the basis of a highly developed spiritual world view.

Students of literature will discover the Bhagavatam to be a

masterpiece of majestic poetry. For students of psychology, the text

provides important perspectives on the nature of consciousness, human

behavior and the philosophical study of identity. Finally, to those

seeking spiritual insights, the Bhagavatam offers simple and

practical guidance for attainment of the highest self-knowledge and

realization of the Absolute Truth. The entire multivolume text,

presented by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, promises to occupy a

significant place in the intellectual, cultural and spiritual life of

modern man for a long time to come.

–The Publishers

bhaktajan · March 8, 2009

The timeless wisdom of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> is expressed in the ancient Sanskrit Vedas. Originally preserved through oral tradition, the Vedas were first put into writing five thousand years ago by Srila Vyasadeva, “the literary incarnation of God.” After compiling the Vedas, Vyasadeva set forth their essence in the aphorisms known as Vedanta-sutras.

From Isopanisad Introdution: But five thousand years ago Vyasadeva put the Vedas in writing for the people in this age, Kali-yuga. He divided the Vedas into four: Rig, Sama, Atharva and Yajur. Then he gave the charge of these Vedas to his different disciples. Then Vyasadeva summarized all Vedic knowledge for scholars and philosophers in what is called the Vedanta-sutra. This is the last word of the Vedas. Vyasadeva was not very satisfied even after compiling many Puranas and Upanisads, and even after writing the Vedanta-sutra. Then his spiritual master, Narada, instructed him, “Explain the Vedanta-sutra.” Vedanta means “ultimate knowledge,” and the ultimate knowledge is Krsna. Krsna says that throughout all the Vedas one has to understand Him: vedanta-krd veda-vid eva caham. Krsna says, “I am the compiler of the Vedanta-sutra, and I am the knower of the Vedas.” Therefore the ultimate objective is Krsna. The Vedanta-sutra simply hints at what is Brahman, the Absolute Truth: “The Absolute Truth is that from whom everything emanates.” This is a summary, but it is explained in detail in Srimad-Bhagavatam. If everything is emanating from the Absolute Truth, then what is the nature of the Absolute Truth? That is explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam. The Absolute Truth must be consciousness. He is self-effulgent (svarat). We develop our consciousness and knowledge by receiving knowledge from others, but for Him it is said that He is self-effulgent. The whole summary of Vedic knowledge is the Vedanta-sutra, and the Vedanta-sutra is explained by the writer himself in Srimad-Bhagavatam. We finally request those who are actually after Vedic knowledge to try to understand the explanation of all Vedic knowledge from Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 1"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #d4d0c8; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) is Vyasadeva’s commentary on his own Vedanta-sutras.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 2"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #d4d0c8; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

After compiling the Bhagavatam, Vyasa imparted it to his son, Sukadeva Gosvami.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 3"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #d4d0c8; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

Sukadeva Gosvami later recited the entire Bhagavatam to Maharaja Pariksit in an assembly of learned saints on the banks of the Ganges at Hastinapura (now <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:City>).

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 4"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #d4d0c8; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

Maharaja Pariksit was the emperor of the world and was a great rajarsi (saintly king). Having received a curse that he would die within the seven days, he renounced his entire kingdom and retired to the bank of the <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PGanges River </st1:place>to fast until death and received spiritual enlightenment.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 5"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #d4d0c8; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

The Bhagavatam begins with Emperor Pariksit’s inquiry to Sukadeva: Maharaja Pariksit: “You are the spiritual master of great saints and devotees. I am therefore begging you to show the way of perfection for all persons, and especially for one who is about to die. Please let me know what a man should hear, chant, remember and worship, and what he should not do. Please explain all this to me.”

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 6"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #d4d0c8; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

Sukadeva often relates historical episodes and give accounts of lengthy philosophical discussions between such great souls as Narada Muni and Vasudeva.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 7"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #d4d0c8; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

At a later date, the sage Suta Goswami, [who was present at the <ST1:PGanges River </ST1:Passembly] repeated the Bhagavatam before a gathering of Sages in the <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:Pforest </ST1:Pof Naimisaranya</ST1:P</st1:place>. [These sages, concerned about the spiritual welfare of the people in general, gathered to perform a long, continuous chain of penances to counteract the degrading influence of the oncoming age of Kali.] In response to the sages’ request Suta Gosvami repeated from memory the entire Srimad-Bhagavatam, as spoken by Sukadeva to Pariksit.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 8"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #d4d0c8; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

Also,

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 9"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #d4d0c8; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

Suta Goswami sometimes responds directly to questions put by Saunaka Rsi, the spokesman for the sages gathered at Naimisaranya.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 10"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #d4d0c8; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

One therefore simultaneously hears two dialogues: 1) between Maharaja Pariksit and Sukadeva Goswami on the bank of the <st1:place w:st="on">Ganges</st1:place>, and, 2) between the Suta Goswami and Saunaka Rsi, the spokesman for the sages gathered at Naimisaranya.

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 11; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.15in; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #d4d0c8; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=top width=590>

With this understanding of the history of the Bhagavatam, the reader will easily be able to follow its intermingling of dialogues, and events from various sources

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>