Therefore Sri Veda Vyasa explained the meaning of Vedas through the Puranas. The stories contained in the Puranas are very interesting. The secrets of the Vedas are revealed by these stories. That is why it is said that ‘itihas puranabhyam vedam samuparbramayeta There are eighteen Puranas. Bhagavata Purana is considered to be superior to all of them.

This is extolled as the essence of the Vedas. Even after composing works like Maha Bharata, Sri Veda Vyasa who could not derive mental peace, attained it after writing the Bhagavata on the advice of sage Narada.

Bhagavata is the most popular Purana. One of the reasons for its immense popularity is the narration of the Krishnaavathara in this work in its extensive detail.

There are a number of commentaries on this work, and amongst them the prominent ones are those authored by Sridhara, Sri Veera Raghava and Sri Vijayadhvaja Teertha. They explain the text with special reference to Advaita, Visistadvaita and Dvaita systems respectively.

TTD started Sri Bhagavata project to edit and publish Bhagavatam with the above three commentaries. The Editing of the 14 volumes of this Purana was completed and the printing work is in fast progress.

This is the 5th Skandha of Bhagavata. The interesting stories of Rushabhadeva and his eldest son, Bharata are narrated in this Skandha. The story of Mahabharata who takes birth as a deer due to his inordinate affection towards a deer, is an excellent example of the maxim, The eminent scholars who took enormous pains to edit this epic deserve our gratitude and appreciation. It is deeply gratifying to note that the books published by the TTD are receiving due attention from the devotees. We trust that this prestigious publication also would receive similar attention.

It was only king Pareekshit who was bitten by the serpent due to a curse of Srungi at that time. But all of us who experience birth, old age and death, are bitten by the serpent of Samsara.

Like King Pareekshit, we also can attain Moksha by hearing Bhagavata with intense desire and almost devotion. This volume is the fifth Skandha of Bhagavata. Out of its ten characteristics like Sarga, Visarga etc. the third characteristic Sthana is explained in this Skandha. Sthana means foundation. The Lord is the only foundation for all kinds of beings created by Him. Lord Krishna says in the Gita that "I am the origin, the dissolution and the foundation.

Thus He declared Himself His Sthanatva.

This Skandha starts with Priyavrata's story. The king was brought from the life of renunciation to that of activity by Brahma. The nature of Brahma is activity only, because of his quality of Rajas. Agnidhra was the son of Priyavrata and Nabhi was his grandson. Rushabhadeva, who is considered to be one of the incarnations of Lord was the son of Nabhi. The life of Rushabhadeva is described from the third chapter to sixth chapter. The people appreciated his rule very much. The Rushabha means, Sarva Sreshtha, the best of all. He justified his name by his virtuous rule. One of the best pieces of teachings in Bhagavata is his useful advice to his sons. He stressed the importance of the service to great souls and underlined the efficacy of non-attach- ment in various ways. Such teaching imparting knowledge interspersed in them stories occurring here and there, enhance the value of this holy book. Bharata was the eldest son of Rushabhadeva. As he ruled over this land excellently it was I named after him as Bharata Khanda .. This fact is mentioned in the Bhagavata itself (5-4-9). The story of Bharata is unique. He conducted many Yajnas during his rule. In his old age, he renounced all the worldly activities and retired into Pulahashrama on the banks of river Gandaki, where he used to worship the Lord. Once he went to the river to take bath. A pregnant she-deer was seen by him who came there to quench its thirst. While it was drinking water, a lion which was nearby roared loudly . . Terrified by that roar, the frightened deer jumped to the other side of the river. At that time, it gave birth to a calf-deer, which fell into the water. The mother deer, met with its death in this process instantly. Bharata who saw this tragic happening was moved by compassion, and took the baby deer to his Ashramam . Rearing the baby deer and looking after its safety Bharata became a fallen Ascetic and spent his life attached to the deer, till end. Even at the moment of his death, he was remembering the animal only, as a consequence of which he was reborn as a deer. Bhagavad-Gita says "whosoever leaves the body thinking of whatsoever object becomes that only". (8-6). Alas, that is the bad effect of attachment! Even while living in the form of the deer he remembered his past life, as a result of his worship of the Lord in his previous birth, and repented. After leaving the body of the deer, he took birth as a son of a Brahmin and became an established Brahmajna. The world considered him a Jadabhuddhi, an idiot, since he was aloof from worldly activity. Once, he was caught by the chief of Sudras in order to sacrifice him before the goddess, Bhadrakali. But the goddess who knew of his real nature saved him. Once latter the palanquin bearers of the king Rahugana, made him bear the palanquin. But the king, enraged by the erratic movement of the palanquin, rebuked him severely. The meaningful and soul-stirring reply by Jada bharata, made the king understand the real nature of the new Palanquin-bearer. Immediately the king came down and prostrated at the feet of Jadabharatha. The king inquired about his life and praised him for his knowledge and requested him to teach the method of crossing the ocean of Samsara. Book's Contents and Sample Pages