SB 1-1962: Preface
PREFACE
We must know the present need of the human society. And what is that need ? The human society is no longer bounded by geographical limits of a particular country or community. The human society is broader than that in the middle age, and the world tendency is to belong to one state or one human society. The ideals of spiritual communism according to Srimad Bhagwatam are based more or less on oneness of the entire human society nay the entire Energy of the living being. The need is felt by great thinkers how to make it successful ideology. Srimad Bhagwatam will fill up the gap of human society and it begins, therefore, with aphorism of Vedanta Philosophy as Janmadyasya yatah to adjust the ideal of common cause.
The human society, at the present moment, is not in the darkness of oblivion. It has made rapid progress in the field of material comforts of life, education and economic development of the entire world. But it suffers a pin-prick somewhere in the social body at large and therefore there is large scale quarrel even on less important issues. Therefore there is the want of the clue as to how they can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity by the common cause. Srimad Bhagwatam will fill up this gap by ontological aspect of human education. It is therefore a cultural presentation for re-spiritualisation of the entire human society.
Srimad Bhagwatam should be introduced also in the schools and colleges as it is recommended by the great student devotee Prahlad Maharaj in order to change the demoniac face of society.
(verse in Devanagari)
Koumara acharet prajna dharman bhagwataniha
Durlabham manusam janma tad api adhrubam arthadam
Durlabham manusam janma tad api adhrubam arthadam
Disparity of the human society is due to the basic principle of a Godless civilisation. There is God or the Almighty One from whom everything emanates, by Whom everything is maintained and in Whom everything is merged to rest. The material science has tried to find out the ultimate source of creation very insufficiently but it is a fact that there is one Ultimate Source of everything that be. This ultimate source is explained rationally and authoritatively in the beautiful Bhagwatam or Srimad Bhagwatam.
Srimad Bhagwatam is transcendental science not only to know the ultimate source of every thing but also to know our relation with Him and our duty towards perfection of the human society on the basis of this perfect knowledge.
It is a powerful reading matter in Sanskrit language and is now rendered into English version elaborately so that simply by its careful reading one will know God perfectly well, so much so that the reader will sufficiently be educated to defend himself from the onslaught of the atheist. Over and above the reader will be-able to convert others in accepting God as concrete principle as anything.
It begins with the definition of the Ultimate Source as the bonafide commentary of the Vedanta Sutra by the same author Srila Vyasdeva and gradually it develops into nine canto's up to the highest stage of God realization. The only qualification required to study this great book of transcendental knowledge, is to proceed step by step cautiously and not to jump on half-hazardously like reading an ordinary book.
The book should be gone through chapter to chapter one after another and the reading matter is so arranged by its original Sanskrit text, its English transliteration, synonyms, translation and purportful explanation that one is sure to become a God-realised soul at the end of finishing the first nine canto's.
The tenth canto is distinct from the first nine canto's, because it deals directly with the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna. One will be unable to capture the effects of the 10th canto without having gone through the first nine canto's. The book is complete in twelve canto's each independent but it is good for all to get them by small instalments one after another.
It is a large voluminous literature and let us have it by parts of not more than 350 to 400 pages at a time. So that the reader may conveniently go through it without being taxed heavily both physically and mentally.
I must admit my frailties in presenting the First Part but still I am hopeful of its good reception by the thinkers and leaders of the Society, on the strength of the following statement of Srimad Bhagwatam.
(verse in Devanagari:)
Tad baga visarga janata agha viplavbo
Yasmin pratislokam abaddha vatyapi
Namani anantasya jasho ankitani yat
Srinnwanti gayanti grinanti sadhabah
Yasmin pratislokam abaddha vatyapi
Namani anantasya jasho ankitani yat
Srinnwanti gayanti grinanti sadhabah
"On the other hand the literature which is full with description of transcendental.glories of the Name, Fame, Form, Pastime of the Unlimited Supreme Lord, -is a different creation of transcendental vocabulary all meant for bringing about a revolution in the impious life of a misdirected civilization of the world. Such transcendental literatures even though irregularly composed, is heard, sung and accepted by the purified men who are thoroughly honest." (pp. 259)
I am obliged to Sri Hanuman Prasad Poddar of the Gita Press and "Kalyan" fame, who has gone through my work and appreciating the endeavour, has helped through the Dalmia Jain Trust to meet part expenditure of this publication.
My thanks are due also to other friends who have helped me in undertaking this great task. Om Tat Sat.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami.
Dated at Delhi
December 15, 1962.
December 15, 1962.
CONTENTS
Introduction
Conception of God and the Absolute Truth.
Source of material energy.
Preacher of Srimad Bhagwatam.
Science of Krishna and its need.
Sri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu.
His mission.
His birth.
His early childhood.
His student life.
His civil disobedience.
Reclaiming the sinners.
His Sannyas.
Khirchora Gopinath.
Meeting with Bhattacharya.
His discourse on the Vedanta.
His meeting with Ramananda Roy.
Importance of submissive hearing.
Instructive story of Junior Haridas.
Power of Samkirtan movement.
His talks with Mayavadi Sanyasi Prakasananda.
The Lord visits Mathura and Vrindaban.
He converts Pathans to Vaisnava cult.
Obstacles on the path of Devotion.
Eight modes of Prayer by a pure devotee.
Sanskrit Text of the First Chapter inserted.
Conception of God and the Absolute Truth.
Source of material energy.
Preacher of Srimad Bhagwatam.
Science of Krishna and its need.
Sri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu.
His mission.
His birth.
His early childhood.
His student life.
His civil disobedience.
Reclaiming the sinners.
His Sannyas.
Khirchora Gopinath.
Meeting with Bhattacharya.
His discourse on the Vedanta.
His meeting with Ramananda Roy.
Importance of submissive hearing.
Instructive story of Junior Haridas.
Power of Samkirtan movement.
His talks with Mayavadi Sanyasi Prakasananda.
The Lord visits Mathura and Vrindaban.
He converts Pathans to Vaisnava cult.
Obstacles on the path of Devotion.
Eight modes of Prayer by a pure devotee.
Sanskrit Text of the First Chapter inserted.
First Chapter
Purpose of the Gayatree Mantra.
Parameswer the Supreme.
Three divisions of Vedic ways.
Exchange of Rasas between two equals.
Watering the root of tree.
Symptoms of men in the age of quarrel or Kali.
Scriptures summarised
Glories of the Name of the Lord.
Real remedy for peace in the world.
Incarnation of Godhead is distinguished.
Purpose of the Gayatree Mantra.
Parameswer the Supreme.
Three divisions of Vedic ways.
Exchange of Rasas between two equals.
Watering the root of tree.
Symptoms of men in the age of quarrel or Kali.
Scriptures summarised
Glories of the Name of the Lord.
Real remedy for peace in the world.
Incarnation of Godhead is distinguished.
Second Chapter
Divinity and Divine Service.
Obeisances unto spiritual master and the Lord.
Srimad Bhagwatam summarised.
Scope of sense-satisfaction.
Definition of the Absolute Truth.
Process of its realisation.
Duty of all classes of human being.
Service unto the devotees.
The Book and the Person Bhagwatam.
Seeing the Lord.
Forms of the Lord and the living beings.
Quality of worship and the demi-gods.
Lord Sri Krishna or Vasudeva is all in all.
He is all pervading.
Divinity and Divine Service.
Obeisances unto spiritual master and the Lord.
Srimad Bhagwatam summarised.
Scope of sense-satisfaction.
Definition of the Absolute Truth.
Process of its realisation.
Duty of all classes of human being.
Service unto the devotees.
The Book and the Person Bhagwatam.
Seeing the Lord.
Forms of the Lord and the living beings.
Quality of worship and the demi-gods.
Lord Sri Krishna or Vasudeva is all in all.
He is all pervading.
Third Chapter
Description of Incarnations of Godhead.
Purusha incarnations the cause of matter and the
material world.
From Him Brahma is manifested.
Description of the Universal Form.
Short description of various incarnations.
Description of Incarnations of Godhead.
Purusha incarnations the cause of matter and the
material world.
From Him Brahma is manifested.
Description of the Universal Form.
Short description of various incarnations.
1st Kumaras Incarnation
2nd Sukara ''
3rd Narad ''
4th Nara Navayana ''
5th Kapila the author of Samkhya philosophy.
6th Daryatreya incarnation
7th Yajna ''
8th Rishava ''
9th Prithu ''
10th Matsya ''
11th Kurma ''
19th Dhanantari ''
13th Mohini ''
14th Narasingha ''
15th Vamana ''
16th Bhrigupati (Parsurama).
17th Vyasdeva ''
18th Rama ''
19th Valarama. ''
20th Krishna ''
21st Buddha Deva. ''
22nd Kalki. ''
Lord Krishna the Original Personality of Godhead.
His Virata Rupa, an imagination.
The Lord or the living being all are spirit.
Self-realisation means seeing the Lord.
He is unknowable by mental speculation.
Srimad Bhagwatam is the cream of histories.
The mode of its reception.
Srimad Bhagwatam is representation of Lord Krishna.
Srimad Bhagwatam and its incompatibilities.
2nd Sukara ''
3rd Narad ''
4th Nara Navayana ''
5th Kapila the author of Samkhya philosophy.
6th Daryatreya incarnation
7th Yajna ''
8th Rishava ''
9th Prithu ''
10th Matsya ''
11th Kurma ''
19th Dhanantari ''
13th Mohini ''
14th Narasingha ''
15th Vamana ''
16th Bhrigupati (Parsurama).
17th Vyasdeva ''
18th Rama ''
19th Valarama. ''
20th Krishna ''
21st Buddha Deva. ''
22nd Kalki. ''
Lord Krishna the Original Personality of Godhead.
His Virata Rupa, an imagination.
The Lord or the living being all are spirit.
Self-realisation means seeing the Lord.
He is unknowable by mental speculation.
Srimad Bhagwatam is the cream of histories.
The mode of its reception.
Srimad Bhagwatam is representation of Lord Krishna.
Srimad Bhagwatam and its incompatibilities.
Fourth Chapter
Appearance of Sri Narada
Paramhansa Sukhdeva Goswami.
The ideal King Maharaj Parikshit.
Birth date of Vyasdeva.
His activities in preparing transcendental works.
His surveying of the general situation.
Different in-charges of the divisions of Veda.
Vedas made easy for the less intelligent class.
Mercy of Vyasdeva.
Unworthy Sons of the Higher Castes
Dissatisfaction of Vyasdeva and its Cause
Appearance of Sri Narada
Paramhansa Sukhdeva Goswami.
The ideal King Maharaj Parikshit.
Birth date of Vyasdeva.
His activities in preparing transcendental works.
His surveying of the general situation.
Different in-charges of the divisions of Veda.
Vedas made easy for the less intelligent class.
Mercy of Vyasdeva.
Unworthy Sons of the Higher Castes
Dissatisfaction of Vyasdeva and its Cause
Fifth Chapter.
Sri Narada's Instructions on Srimad Bhagwatam for
Vyasdeva
The mind and the Body.
Identification of Self with the Body or Mind is the
Cause of Despondency.
The Cause Explained.
Flowery Language without Divinity is Condemned
Need of Preaching Srimad Bhagwatam
Nothing is Good without God.
Be fixed up on the Complete Whole
Human Frailties
A boon to the Layman
The Prime Duty.
The Permanent Gain
Personal and Impersonal Features of the Lord
Purpose of all Cultural Assets
Previous Life of Narada
The Bhaktivedantas
Principles of Saintly Association
Miraculous Act of Hearing Bhagwatam
Effects of Spiritual Association.
Duties of a Neophyte
Real Spiritual Master.
Meaning of Surrender
The Cause of Miseries
Import of Bhaktiyoga
Cent per cent engagement
Sound as Form
Concluding instruction of Narada.
Sri Narada's Instructions on Srimad Bhagwatam for
Vyasdeva
The mind and the Body.
Identification of Self with the Body or Mind is the
Cause of Despondency.
The Cause Explained.
Flowery Language without Divinity is Condemned
Need of Preaching Srimad Bhagwatam
Nothing is Good without God.
Be fixed up on the Complete Whole
Human Frailties
A boon to the Layman
The Prime Duty.
The Permanent Gain
Personal and Impersonal Features of the Lord
Purpose of all Cultural Assets
Previous Life of Narada
The Bhaktivedantas
Principles of Saintly Association
Miraculous Act of Hearing Bhagwatam
Effects of Spiritual Association.
Duties of a Neophyte
Real Spiritual Master.
Meaning of Surrender
The Cause of Miseries
Import of Bhaktiyoga
Cent per cent engagement
Sound as Form
Concluding instruction of Narada.
Sixth Chapter.
Further Enquiry by Vyasdeva
History of Narada's Previous Life
His Touring
His Momentous Hankering for the Lord
Seeing the Lord
Message of Godhead
Narada's Eternal Engagement
His transcendental Body
His Re-appearance
His Freedom of Movement in all Planets
The Lord, His Constant Companion
Comparative Importance of Bhaktiyoga and Mystic Powers
Further Enquiry by Vyasdeva
History of Narada's Previous Life
His Touring
His Momentous Hankering for the Lord
Seeing the Lord
Message of Godhead
Narada's Eternal Engagement
His transcendental Body
His Re-appearance
His Freedom of Movement in all Planets
The Lord, His Constant Companion
Comparative Importance of Bhaktiyoga and Mystic Powers
Seventh Chapter.
Vyasdeva's Meditation
His Clear Conception
Acts of Maya Illusory Energy
Effects of Bhaktiyoga
Effects of Hearing Srimad Bhagwatam
Vyasdeva's Meditation
His Clear Conception
Acts of Maya Illusory Energy
Effects of Bhaktiyoga
Effects of Hearing Srimad Bhagwatam
Appendices.
Glossary
Errata
Notice
Glossary
Errata
Notice
THE MOTTO
It is admitted even in the higher circle that in fact, the whole root and background of Indian culture is wrapped in the Sanskrit language. And we know that the foreign invaders of India could break down some of the monumental architectural work in India but they were unable to break up the perfect ideals of human civilization so far kept hidden within the Sanskrit language of Vedic wisdom.
Srimad Bhagwatam is the mature ripen fruit of the tree of Vedic literature (pp. 66.). We have just begun to give it rendered into English with broader outlook and it is the duty of the leading Indians to spread up the culture all over the world at this momentous hour of need.
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