88 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 1, Ch. 2
narayanam namaskrtya
naram caiva narottamam
devim sarasvatim vyasam
tato jayam udirayet

narayanam—the Personality of Godhead; namaskrtya—after offering
respectful obeisances; naram ca eva—and Narayana Rsi; narottamam—the
supermost human being; devim—the goddess; sarasvatim—the mistress of
learning; vydsam—Vyasadeva; tatah—thereafter; jayam—all that is meant
for conquering; udirayet—be announced.

TRANSLATION
Before reciting this Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is our very means of
conquest, I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Personality of God-
head, Narayana, unto Nara-narayana Rsi, the supermost human being,
unto Mother Sarasvati, the goddess of learning, and unto Srila Vyasadeva,
the author.
PURPORT

All the Vedic literatures and the Puranas are meant for conquering the
darkest region of material existence. The living being is in the state of
forgetfulness of his relation with God due to his being overly attracted to
material sense gratification from time immemorial. His struggle for existence
in the material world is perpetual, and it is not possible for him to get out
of it by making plans. If he at all wants to conquer this perpetual struggle
for existence, he must reestablish his eternal relation with God. And one
who wants to adopt such remedial measures must take shelter of literatures
such as the Vedas and the Puranas. Foolish people say that the Purdnas
have no connection with the Vedas. However, the Purdnas are sup-
plementary explanations of the Vedas intended for different types of men.
All men are not equal. There are men who are conducted by the mode of
goodness, others who are under the mode of passion and others who are
under the mode of ignorance. The Puranas are so divided that any class of
men can take advantage of them and gradually regain their lost position
and get out of the hard struggle for existence. Srila Sita Gosvami shows the
way of chanting the Puranas. This may be followed by persons who aspire
to be preachers of the Vedic literatures and the Puranas. Srimad-Bhagavatam
is the spotless Purana, and it is especially meant for them who are desirous
to get out of the material entanglement permanently.
