Srimad Bhagavata Mahapuranam With Three Commentaries

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Foreword Our country, Bharath, has a glorious past. Its glory is based on its ancient spirituality. Not only in the past, but also at present, India is well- known for its spiritual eminence. Our Vedas, Sastras, Puranas, including Ramayana, Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavatam, contain the essential tenets of spirituality.

Srimad bhagavatam is famous for its exposition of Bhakti yoga. It can be understood only by sincere devotion, not by scholarship.

T.T.O. is publishing a large number of religious books in various languages and they are being received well, by the devotees.

Sri Bhagavatam Project was established by the T.T.O. to bring out the Critical Edition of Sanskrit Bhagavatam, with different commentaries. Eminent scholars endeavored to bring out this edition, after perusing many editions of the epic.

The first Skandha and three volumes of tenth Skandha have already been published. The fourth Skandha is in the process of printing. This volume is the eighth Skandha, containing the interesting stories of Gajendra Moksha, Kshirasagara Mathanam and Vamanavatara etc. The Chief Editor of this volume, Dr. N.C.V.Narasimhacharya, reached the lotus feet of Lord, even before the publication of this valuable edition.

It is hoped that the readers would receive the present volume also, with due devotion, and make the efforts of the T.T.D. fruitful.

Introduction Bhagavatam is considered as Bhashyam to Gayatri Mantra. The propagation of this holy work as per the twelfth Chapter of Bhagavata is as follows: In the very beginning, Sriman narayana narrated this to Brahma. Brahma taught it to Narada. Vedavyasa received it from Narada. Suka learnt it from Vedavyasa and Pareekshit received this light of knowledge from Sage Suka.

There is another tradition regarding the propagation of this work. Sage Krishna Dwaipayana, after composing Bhagavata, taught it to his disciple Romaharshana. Suta, the latter's son learnt it from his father. This scripture was explained by Suta, later to Sages like Sounaka in the forest of Naimisa.

There is also a third tradition, which says that Sankarshana was enlightened on this epic by Lord Sriman narayana Himself, whereas, Sankarshana -explained it to Sage Sanatkumara etc. The latter enlightened about it to Sankhyayana; Sankhyayana to Parasara, Parasara to Maitreya and Maitreya to Vidura respectively.

These different traditions indicate the wide popularity of this text.

In this eighth Skandha of Bhagavatam interesting stories like Gajendra Moksha, Kshirasagaramathana, Vamanavatara, and Matsyavatara are found.

The ego-centric Jeeva becomes an animal, and enters the lake of Samsara and is caught by the Crocodile of infatuation. Inspite of his efforts, he fails to get released from the grip of the Crocodile. Finally, he surrenders to the Lord and attains liberation. This is the essence of Gajendra Moksha. Devotees are accustomed to read Gajendra Moksha daily, as it is auspicious to do so.

The story of Churning of the milky ocean also is very interesting. Our heart is compared to Kshira Sagara. It is full of good as well as bad ideas.

Bad ideas are to be discarded as poison. Good ideas are to be welcomed like gems. But both of them are impediments in the path of immortality. The aspirant should not slacken his efforts till he attains the final goal of immortality.

That is why Bhartruhari said "The Gods were not satisfied by merely finding the gems. Nor they were afraid by the dreadful poison. They did not rest till they obtained the Ambrosia. The brave do not give up their efforts till they achieve success".

The story of Balichakravarthi is also very fascinating. Bali followed the ninth way of devotion i.e. Atmanivedana. He gave away everything in his possession to Lord Vamana and thereby received abundant grace of the Lord.

This Skandha ends with the description of Matsyavatara, one of the ten Avataras of Lord Vishnu. All these stories are of high spiritual value.

This Skandha was edited by well-known Sanskrit scholar, recipient of President's award, and our Guru, Sriman Dr. N.C.V.Narasimhacharya Swami. He reached the Lotus feet of the Lord, even before the publication of this book. The scholars who assisted in preparing this edition are:

1. Sriman K.C. Jayachandra Sastri, 2. Sriman U. Venkatramaiah and 3. Sriman A. Varada Rajan, who deserve ‘the gratitude of the readers.

The research assistants, namely, Sri S.B.S. Bhattacharya, Smt. S. Purnavalli and Dr. S. Dasaratha also deserve our commendation.

Sri I. Venkateswara Rao and others who helped immensely in proof reading of the work also deserve our gratitude.

Sri Ajeya Kallam, lAS, the revered Executive Officer of the TTD and Dr.V.R.Panchamukhi, the well-known Sanskrit scholar; the revered Chancellor of Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidya Peetha, Tirupati and Hon. Member of the TTD Board and Dr. Medasani Mohan, the Director of Annamacharya Project and other members of the advisory committee of the Bhagavata project are offered our deep gratitude for their keen interest and co-operation in bringing out this edition.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages