68 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 1, Ch. 1
atah sadho ’tra yat sararh
samuddhrtya manisaya
brithi bhadraya bhitanam
yendtma suprasidati

bhirini—multifarious; bhin—many; karmani—duties; srotavyani—to be
learned; vibhadgasah—by division of subject matter; atah—therefore; sadho—
O sage; atra—herein; yat—whatever; sdram—essence; samuddhrtya—by
selection; manisaya—best to your knowledge; briihi—please tell us;
bhadraya—for the good of; bhitanadm—the living beings; yena—by
which; dtma—self; suprasidati—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 scrip-
tures and explain them for the good of all living beings, that by such
instruction their hearts may be satisfied.

PURPORT

Atmé 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 atma. 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 Naimisaranya suggested that Sri Sita Gosvami 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
varna and dsrama system.

The varna and dsrama 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 varnasrama institution prescribes. The whole
