Greatness of Srimad Bhagavatam
In this episode of the Kishora Bhagavatam series, Sri Poornimaji expounded on the greatness of Srimad Bhagavatam. At the outset she started out by saying, even a moment spent listening to, or reading Srimad Bhagavatam, is a blessed moment and even if we read half a sloka or even quarter sloka from Srimad Bhagavatam, that is supreme. When we compare both Srimad Ramayana and Srimad Bhagavatam, Srimad Ramayana was heard by Sri Ramachandra Prabhu, however the uniqueness of Srimad Bhagavatam is that, it is Bhagavan Sri Krishna Himself. Furthermore, at the end of the Dwapara Yuga, Uddhava Swami asks Bhagavan as to what is the refuge for those in Kali yuga, which is when Bhagavan Sri Krishna becomes Srimad Bhagavatam, as vak or shabdha rupam. So Srimad Bhagavatam is Bhagavan Sri Krishna.
It is said that, to understand the importance and greatness of Srimad Bhagavatam, before a saptaham they always read the Mahatmyam from Padma Purana. There is a story in the Mahatmyam which explains the greatness of Srimad Bhagavatam. It is said that Lord Indra and the devas never part with the amruta (nectar in devaloka) at any cost, and do not give it to anyone! He did not give it even to King Dasharatha who had in fact helped him win many wars. However, he along with other devas came down to the great jnani Sri Shuka and actually asked for Srimad Bhagavatam in exchange for the amruta for King Parikshit. The great Sri Shuka only laughed, thinking who would give a precious diamond in exchange for a broken piece of glass! Srimad Bhagavatam is that valuable priceless diamond! Even the devas could not receive Srimad Bhagavatam. That’s why Bhagavata Mahatmyam says that one is blessed with Bhagavatam only when merits earned from millions and millions of births fructify.
It is said that every word in Srimad Bhagavatam is Radha Rani and the meaning is Bhagavan Sri Krishna and so Srimad Bhagavatam is Sri Radha and Krishna together. We know that Ganga and many other holy rivers cleanse us of all our impurities. But how do they themselves get cleansed? It is said that they visit the homes of those who worship Srimad Bhagavatam and get purified. In this context, Sri Poornimaji narrated a story from Srimad Bhagavata Mahatmyam where a yatrika actually witnessed the seven holy rivers visit a home where Srimad Bhagavatam book was worshipped in the altar. These holy rivers were in a very pitiable, soiled form when they entered this particular home but came out purified and divine. The surprised yatrika came to understand that the householder of this home didn’t do anything else but worship the Srimad Bhagavatam which his forefathers had left with him. This incident shows that, having Srimad Bhagavatam in our home and offering a flower or Tulsi leaf is enough, Bhagavan Sri Krishna is very pleased.
Let us all reminisce this story whenever we read or listen to Srimad Bhagavatam so that we remember the fortune we have, to have Srimad Bhagavatam in our homes.
By Krishnabandhu Srivathsa, 13 yrs, Pleasanton, CA
Based on Sri Poornimaji’s Kishora Bhagavatam sessions.
****************************************************
Click here to go back to Feb 2025 issue newsletter page: https://godivinity.org/newsletters/nama-dwaar-newsletter-february-2025/
****************************************************
