Tenth Canto: The Summum Bonum

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Srimad-Bhagavatam, an epic philosophical and literary classic, holds a prominent position in India's voluminous written wisdom. 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 by Srila Vyasadeva, the "literary incarnation of God." After compiling the Vedas, Srila Vyasadeva was inspired by his spiritual master, to present their profound essence in the form of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Known as "the ripened fruit of the tree of Vedic literature," Srimad-Bhagavatam is the most complete and authoritative exposition of Vedic knowledge.

After writing the Bhagavatam, Vyasa taught it to his son, Sukadeva Gosvami, who later spoke the Bhagavatam to Maharaja Pariksit in an assembly of sages on the bank of the sacred Ganges River. Although Maharaja Pariksit was a great rajarsi (saintly king) and the emperor of the world, when he received notice of his death seven days in advance, he renounced his entire kindgom and retired to the bank of the Ganges to seek spiritual enlightenment. The questions of King Pariksit and Sukadeva Gosvami's illuminating answers, concerning everything from the nature of the self to the origin of the universe, are the basis of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

This edition of Bhagavatam is the only complete English translation with an elaborate and scholarly commentary, and it is the first edition widely available to the English-reading public. This work is 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 Sanskrit scholarship and intimate familiarity with Vedic culture combine to reveal to the West a magnificent exposition of this important classic.

With its comprehensive system of providing the original Sanskrit text, Roman transliteration, precise word-for-word equivalents, a lucid English translation and a comprehensive commentary, it will appeal to scholars students and laymen alike. 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.

(Part Three-Chapters 1-5)

ALL GLORY TO SRI GURU AND GAURAṄGA

Srimad-Bhagavatam
of
KRSNA-DVAIPAYANA VYASA

(p. 172)

BOOKS by
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Bhagavad-gita As It Is
Srimad-Bhagavatam, Cantos 1-10 (50 Vols.)
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (17 Vols.)
Teachings of Lord Caitanya
The Nectar of Devotion
The Nectar of Instruction
Sri Isopanisad
Easy Journey to Other Planets
Krsna Consciousness: The Topmost Yoga System
Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead (3 Vols.)
Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers
Dialectic Spiritualism-A Vedic View of Western Philosophy
Transcendental Teachings of Prahlad Maharaja
Krsna, the Reservoir of Pleasure
Life Comes from Life
The Perfection of Yoga
Beyond Birth and Death
On the Way to Krsna
Geetar-gan (Bengali)
Raja-vidya: The King of Knowledge
Elevation to Krsna Consciousness
Krsna Consciousness: The Matchless Gift
Back to Godhead Magazine (Founder)

A complete catalogue is available upon request.

The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
3764 Watseka Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90034

Readers interested in the subject matter of this book
are invited by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
to correspond with its Secretary.

International Society for Krishna Consciousness
3764 Watseka Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90034

First printing, 1977: 20,000 copies

© 1977 Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
All Rights Reserved

Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data (Revised)

Puranas. Bhagavatapurana.
Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
CONTENTS: Canto 1. Creation. 3 v.-Canto 2.
The cosmic manifestation. 2 v.-Canto 3. The
status quo. 4 v.-Canto 4. The creation of the
Fourth Order. 4 v.-Canto 5. The creative
impetus. 2 v.
1. Chaitanya, 1486-1534. I. Bhaktivedanta
Swami, A. C., 1896- II. Title.
BL1135.P7A22 1972 73-169353
ISBN 0-912776-97-8