2 Srimad-Bhagavatam

of everything that be. This ultimate source is explained rationally and
authoritatively in the beautiful Bhagavatam or Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Srimad-Bhagavatam is the transcendental science not only for knowing
the ultimate source of everything but also for knowing our relation with
Him and our duty towards perfection of the human society on the basis of
this perfect knowledge. It is powerful reading matter in the Sanskrit
language, and it is now rendered into English elaborately so that simply by
a careful reading one will know God perfectly well, so much so that the
reader will be sufficiently educated to defend himself from the onslaught
of atheists. Over and above this, the reader will be able to convert
others to accept God as a concrete principle.

Srimad-Bhagavatam begins with the definition of the ultimate source.
It is a bona fide commentary on the Vedanta-siitra by the same author,
Srila Vy4sadeva, and gradually it develops into nine cantos up to the
highest state of God realization. The only qualification one needs to study
this great book of transcendental knowledge is to proceed step by step
cautiously and not jump forward haphazardly like with an ordinary book.
It should be gone through chapter by chapter, one after another. The
reading matter is so arranged with its original Sanskrit text, its English
transliteration, synonyms, translation and purports so that one is sure to
become a God realized soul at the end of finishing the first nine cantos.

The Tenth Canto is distinct from the first nine cantos, because it deals
directly with the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead
Sri Krsna. One will be unable to capture the effects of the Tenth Canto
without going through the first nine cantos. The book is complete in
twelve cantos, each independent, but it is good for all to read them in
small installments one after another.

I must admit my frailties in presenting Srimad-Bhagavatam, but still |
am hopeful of its good reception by the thinkers and leaders of society on
the strength of the following statement of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

tad vagvisargo janatagha-viplavo
yasmin pratislokam abaddhavaty api

namany anantasya yaso ‘nkitani yac
chrnvanti gayanti grnanti sadhavah

(Bhag. 1.5.11)

“On the other hand, that literature which is full with descriptions of
the transcendental glories of the name, fame, form and pastimes of the
