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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
[Canto 1, Ch. 1]
ataḥ sādho 'tra yat sāraṁ samuddhṛtya manīṣayā brūhi bhadrāya bhūtānām yenātmā suprasīdati
bhūrīṇi—multifarious; bhūri—many; karmāṇi—duties; śrotavyāṇi—to be learned; vibhāgaśaḥ—by division of subject matter; ataḥ—therefore; sādho—O sage; atra—herein; yat—whatever; sāram—essence; samuddhṛtya—by selection; manīṣayā—best to your knowledge; brūhi—please tell us; bhadrāya—for the good of; bhūtānām—the living beings; yena—by which; ātmā—self; suprasīdati—becomes fully satisfied.
TRANSLATION
There are many varieties of scriptures, and in all of them there are many prescribed duties which can be learned only after many years of study. Therefore, O sage, please select the essential teachings of all these scriptures and explain them for the good of all living beings, that by such instruction their hearts may be satisfied.
PURPORT
Ātmā  or self is distinguished from matter and material elements. It is spiritual in constitution, and thus it is never satisfied by any amount of material planning. All scriptures and spiritual instructions are meant for the satisfaction of this self or  ātmā . There are many varieties of approaches which are recommended for different types of living beings in different times and at different places. Consequently, the numbers of revealed scriptures are innumerable. There are different methods and prescribed duties recommended in these various scriptures. Taking into consideration the fallen condition of the people in general in this age of Kali, the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya suggested that Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī relate the essence of all such scriptures because in this age it is not possible for the fallen souls to understand and undergo all the lessons of all these various scriptures in a  varṇa  and  āśrama  system.
The  varṇa  and  āśrama  society was considered to be the best institution for lifting the human being to the spiritual platform, but due to Kali-yuga it is not possible to execute the rules and regulations of these institutions. Nor is it possible for the people in general to completely sever relations with their families as the  varṇāśrama  institution prescribes. The whole