Bhakti Ratnavali: A Book of Devotion as it is by Mahapurush Shree Mahaveva

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Bhakti Ratnavali contains devotional elements of the Srimad-Bhagwatam Purana, compiled by Sage Vyasa. The Bhagwatam is the most revered Hindu religious scripture and has been translated into several Indian languages. The Bhakti Ratnavali was translated from its original Sanskritised version, compiled by Sage Vishnupuri, into Assamese by Sri Madhabdeva

This work by Pranabananda Pathak, remains the author's second attempt at translating verses of the Bhakti cult from regional Assamese into English, the first being Naam Ghosha: Hymns to the Blessed Lord. It has been very well received all over Assam and amongst the Assamese people all over the world.

Pranabananda Pathak acquired a B.Sc. degree from Guwahati University in 1973 and later completed LL.B. there. A successful lawyer, he was Additional Advocate General of Assam and also served as Advocate General of Mizoram.

The Vedas are considered the oldest of all the religious scriptures of the world. The word 'Veda' can be interpreted in various ways but the real meaning is knowledge. The teachings of the Vedas are original knowledge. They are not the compilations of human knowledge. Vedic knowledge comes from the spiritual world.

About 5000 years ago, Sage Vyasadeva put the Vedas in writing for the people of this age (the Kali Age). He divided the Vedas into four-Rig, Sama, Atharva and Yajur - and handed them to different disciples. Thereafter, he compiled the great epic of India, the Mahabharata and then the eighteen Puranas. These are all parts of Vedic literature. Vyasadeva then summarised all Vedic knowledge in his Vedanta-Sutra, i.e. the last word of the Vedas. Vyasadeva, in spite of compiling this Vedic literature was still not satisfied. Once his master, Narada, asked him for the cause of his dissatisfaction and after listening to him, said that though he had compiled the Vedic literature he failed to describe the 'Ultimate Knowledge'. Ultimate Knowledge is the Supreme Godhead - Lord Krsna. And as such Narada directed Vyasa to meditate and compile the ultimate knowledge for the people, i.e. knowledge about Lord Krsna. Thus, Vyasa compiled the Srimad-Bhagawatam.

This Bhagawatam is also known as the Maha-Puranam. Whosoever reads the Maha-Puranam is capable of attaining godhead directly. The Maha-Puranam is also described as the crown-head of all Vedic scriptures and is termed as the Maha-Bhagawatam. This great Bhagawatam is divided into twelve cantos. Each canto narrates the glories of God and prayers to Him. The Bhagawatam is treated as the most revered religious scripture by Hindus all over the world. It has been translated into various languages in India.