Uttaradi Math - Srimad Bhagavatam

Srimad Bhagavatam

श्रीमद्भागवतम्

Srimad Bhagavatam is the greatest among all puranas. It is termed as equal to Vedas (पुराणं ब्रह्मसम्मितम्) by Bhagavan Vedavyasa. It consists of 12 Skandhas. Sage Vedavyasa, did not feel contended even after writing the Mahabharata. He felt that there is something which he did not deliver to his devotees.

Sage Narada arrived at the ashram of Sri Vedavyasa and requested him to write a text in which the greatness of Vishnu is elaborated( समाधिनानुस्मर यद्विचेष्टिम्).

Then Sage Vedavyasa composed the Bhagavatam, which is full of the pastimes of the supreme God. He instructed the text to his son Sri Suka, who was an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Sri Suka, inturn discoursed this text to King Parixit for 7 days. Several rishis and sages arrived from all parts of the country to listen to the discourse by Sage Suka. Today, we hear about the Bhagavatam due to the conversation between Shaunaka and Suta. Suta retold the Bhagavatam to Shaunaka and other sages. The tradition continued and we have the Bhagavatam in the present form.

Chapter 1

Shaunaka and others approach Suta and ask mainly three questions

1. What is the highest good of mankind?

2. Tell us the about the great leelas (deeds) of Vishnu and his various incarnations

3. When Krishna went back to his abode, who does the dharma take refuge in?

Chapter 2

Sri Shukacharya's reply to Parikshit's questions

Brahma Narada Samvada

Chatuh Shloki Bhagavata