Specialization Seminar in Srimad Bhagavatam Cantos One and Two Pada-padma The Lotus Feet of Krishna

Summary of First Two Cantos

CANTO I Preface Introduction Suta to the Sages Narada to Vyasa Disappearance of Sri Krsna And His associates Appearance of Srimad Bhagavatam We divide the First Canto into four parts

CANTO I Preface Introduction Suta to the Sages Narada to Vyasa Disappearance of Sri Krsna And His associates Appearance of Srimad Bhagavatam

CANTO I Canto One is a Preface to the Srimad Bhagavatam. In a Preface we find: 1)Purpose of the book, 2)Qualifications of the Speaker, 3)Qualifications of the Listener and 4)Circumstances under which the book was produced.

CANTO I Who is the principal Speaker of the Bhagavatam? Sukadeva Goswami. Who is the principal listener? Maharaja Pariksit. Under what circumstances was it produced? Arrival of the era of Kali. What is the purpose of Srimad Bhagavatam? Give shelter in Kali-yuga.

CANTO I Preface Srila Prabhupada’s Preface to Srimad Bhagavatam, although just two pages, is a very intense document. You can study it in great detail with great profit and utility. Since the Srimad Bhagavatam was his life’s work its Preface is also a preface to his life and institutions such as ISKCON.

CANTO I Preface Introduction The Introduction to the Srimad Bhagavatam is primarily a 35-page biography of the life of Lord Caitanya, the ideal preacher of Srimad Bhagavatam. Without His mercy it is very difficult to understand the Bhagavatam

CANTO I Preface Introduction Chapters One to Three are Questions by the Sages of Naimisaranya to Suta Goswami and his subsequent answers. This is the complete Srimad Bhagavatam

CANTO I Preface Introduction Chapters Four to Six are the meeting of Vyasadeva and Narada Muni. Vyasadeva was unhappy even after compliling all the Vedas, but Narada instructed him to compile Srimad Bhagavatam and that would satisfy his hankerings.

CANTO I Preface Introduction Chapters Seven to Fifteen are the disappearance of Krsna and His associates and the Appearance of Srimad Bhagavatam and Its associates. Krsna’s mission of incarnation was finished with the battle of Kuruksetra. So He enjoys some pastimes and then He and His associates disappear: Disappearance of the Pandavas, disappearance of Dhrtarastra, Bhismadeva, Kuntidevi and - appearance of Maharaja Parikshit.

CANTO I Preface Introduction Chapters Sixteen to Nineteen are the meeting of Maharaja Parikshit, the personality of Kali and Sukadeva Goswami, setting the scene for the birth of Srimad Bhagavatam

CANTO I Preface Introduction Suta to the Sages Narada to Vyasa Disappearance of Sri Krsna And His associates Appearance of Srimad Bhagavatam

CANTO II Sukadeva to Pariksit Brahma to Narada Visnu to Brahma We divide the Second Canto into three parts

CANTO II In the Second Canto Sukadeva Goswami starts his instructions to Maharaja Parikshit: Om Namo bhagavate vasudevaya. In three chapters he explains Pantheism, Mysticism, Mono-theism, or Sat-cit-ananda, or Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan, the complete science of God.

CANTO II After hearing the complete science of God, Maharaja Prakshit was very satisfied, but he wanted to hear more, especially science, how God creates, maintains and anhilates this material world. Sukadeva Goswami agreed to his request and after offering preliminary prayers in Chapter Four, in Chapters Five through Seven he explains how Brahma spoke Srimad Bhagavatam to Narada, his son.

CANTO II After hearing the Bhagavatam that Brahma spoke to Narada, Maharaja Parikshit is even more enlivened but he asks to hear even more of the science of God. Sukadeva Goswami then explains the original Srimad Bhagavatam as Visnu spoke it personally to Lord Brahma. The Canto ends with the Sages asking about the meeting of Vidura and Maitreya.

CANTO II Sukadeva to Pariksit Brahma to Narada Visnu to Brahma We divide the Second Canto into three parts

Did you notice that Srimad Bhagavatam is presented five times in the first two Cantos? 1) Visnu to Brahma ) Brahma to Narada ) Narada to Vyasa ) Vyasa to Sukadeva Goswami. Doesn’t occur! 5) Sukadeva Goswami to Maharaja Pariksit (and Suta Goswami) ) Suta to the Sages of Naimisaranya

A njana S uta A cademy Hanumatpresaka Swami 304 Astor Way; Franklin, TN 37064; USA PdP 1st & 2nd Cantos Summary Rev. 20 July 2006