Stories From The Bhagavatam

First Ebook Edition - March 2016

This book published by Advaita Ashrama, a publication house of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, India is an explanation of select verses of Srimad Bhagavata, the great devotional scripture. The focus of the text has been in presenting the episodes connected with Lord Krishna from the Bhagavata, The original text and translation of these select verses has also been given.

Shrimad Bhagavat is renowned as one of the greatest compositions in Sanskrit Literature. The 18th Purana composed by Maharishi Veda-Vyasa, it stands unparalleled in its distinct and resplendent exaltation of devotion to God, revealing throughout the quintessence of Vedantic teachings. Masterfully profound and delightfully enchanting, Shrimad Bhagavat abounds in work-paintings of the supreme Lord's wondrous and endearing avatars, divine sports and devotees - paintings that kindle, intensity and establish devotion in one's heart. This spring of devotion leads one to satsang, to the Guru and to teachings that unveil one's essential nature of Brahman.

Even after he has composed the awesome Mahabharata, the Maharishi Vyasa finds no peace. Narada Muni says to him, Ordinary men will be delighted by your work, but what about the Sages of heaven and earth? You have described the human life, its strife and its ends, but you have not yet described the Lord himself. You must turn your great gift to that task; only then will you find peace. Veda Vyasa composes the Bhagavata Purana, in eighteen thousand slokas and twelve kandas. He teaches it to his illumined son Suka, who narrates the Secret Purana to Yudhishtira s heir, King Parikshit, on the banks of the Ganga. The Bhagavata Purana is a living embodiment of the Lord Narayana and claims to bestow moksha merely by being heard. Just before Krishna, the Avatara, leaves the world, Uddhava says to him, leave us a tangible form, Lord, in which we can find you, touch you, and be near you. Krishna enters the Bhagavata Purana with all of his being. This book is a full literary rendering of the Bhagavata Purana, bringing all the wonder, wisdom and grace of the Book of God to the modern reader.

This is a condensed version of a long Purana of 18,000 verses. By means of stories from the lives of avatars, sages, and kings, it popularized the teaching of the Vedas. To study it is the best of all ways to become acquainted with the living religion of India today. The nineteenth century saint Ramakrishna said of the Bhagavatam, "It is fried in the butter of Knowledge and steeped in the honey of Love." At regular intervals through the text, the chapters being condensed are designated by Book and Chapter numbers. Each interval is appropriate in length for a daily reading, and there are 365 intervals.

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