o4 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 1, Ch. 1
Bhagavatam begins with the surrender of the devotee unto the Absolute
Person. The devotee is fully aware that he is one with the Absolute and at
the same time in the eternal position of servant to the Absolute. In the
material conception, one falsely thinks himself the lord of all he surveys,
and therefore he is always troubled by the threefold miseries of life. But
as soon as one comes to know his real position as transcendental servant,
he at once becomes free from all miseries. As long as the living entity is
trying to master material nature, there is no possibility of his becoming
servant of the Supreme. Service to the Lord is rendered in pure conscious-
ness of one’s spiritual identity; by service one is immediately freed from
material encumbrances.

Over and above this, Srimad-Bhdgavatam is a personal commentation
on the Veddnta-siitra by Sri Vyasadeva. It is written in the maturity of his
spiritual life through the mercy of Narada. Sri Vyasadeva is the authorized
incarnation of Narayana, the Personality of Godhead. Therefore, there is
no question as to his authority. He is the author of all other Vedic litera-
tures, yet he recommends the study of Srimad-Bhdgavatam above all others.
In other Puranas there are different methods set forth by which one can
worship the demigods. But in the Bhagavatam only the Supreme Lord is
mentioned. The Supreme Lord is the total body, and the demigods are the
different parts of that body. Consequently, by worshiping the Supreme
Lord, one does not need to worship the demigods. The Supreme Lord
becomes fixed in the heart of the devotee immediately. Lord Caitanya
Mahaprabhu has recommended the Srimad-Bhégavatam as the spotless
Purana and distinguishes it from all other Puranas.

The proper method for receiving this transcendental message is to hear
it submissively. A challenging attitude cannot help one realize this transcen-
dental message. One particular word. is used herein for proper guidance.
This word is susriisu. One must be anxious to hear this transcendental
message. The desire to sincerely hear is the first qualification.

Less fortunate persons are not at all interested in hearing this Srimad-
Bhagavatam. The process is simple, but the application is difficult.
Unfortunate people find enough time to hear idle, social, political conver-
sations, but when invited to attend a meeting of devotees to hear Srimad-
Bhdagavatam they suddenly become reluctant. Sometimes professional
readers of the Bhagavatam immediately plunge into the confidential topics
of the pastime of the Supreme Lord, which they seemingly interpret as
sex literature. Srimad-Bhdagavatam is meant to be heard from the beginning.
Those who are fit to assimilate this work are mentioned in this sloka:
“One becomes qualified to hear Srimed-Bhagavatam after many pious
