184 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto ], Ch. 3
histories of the Purdnas as imaginary. The great rsis like Vyasa had no
business putting some imaginary stories in their literatures.

In the Srimad-Bhagavatam historical facts selected from the histories of
different planets have been depicted. It is therefore accepted by all the
spiritual authorities as the Mahdpurana. The special significance of these
histories is that they are all connected with activities of the Lord in a
different time and atmosphere. Srila Sukadeva Gosvami is the topmost
personality of all the self-realized souls, and he accepted this as the sub-
ject of studies from his father Vyasadeva. Srila Vyasadeva is the great
authority, and the subject matter of Srimad-Bhdgavatam being so impor-
tant, he delivered the message first to his great son Srila Sukadeva Go-
svami. It is compared to the cream of the milk. Vedic literature is like the
milk ocean of knowledge. Cream or butter is the most palatable essence of
milk, and so also is Srimad-Bhagavatam, for it contains all palatable, in-
structive and authentic versions of different activities of the Lord and His
devotees. There is no gain, however, in accepting the message of Bhagava-
tam from the unbelievers, atheists and professional reciters who make a
trade of Bhagavatam for the laymen. It was delivered to Srila Sukadeva
Gosvami, and he had nothing to do with the Bhagavata business. He did
not have to maintain family expenses by such trade. Srimad-Bhagavatam
should therefore be received from the representative of Sukadeva, who
must be in the renounced order of life without family encumbrance. Milk
is undoubtedly very good and nourishing, but when it is touched by the
mouth of a snake it is no longer nourishing; rather, it becomes a source of
death. Similarly, those who are not strictly in the Vaisnava discipline
should not make a business of this Bhagavataand become a cause of
spiritual death for so many hearers. In the Bhagavad-gita the Lord says
that the purpose of all the Vedas is to know Him (Lord Krsna), and
Srimad-Bhagavatam is Lord Sri Krsna Himself in the form of recorded
knowledge. Therefore, it is the cream of all the Vedas, and it contains all
historical facts of all times in relation with Sri Krsna. It is factually the
essence of all histories.

TEXT 42
ag err Fen Tay |
sraafae RTT oe TAP: eI
sa tu samsravayamasa
maharajam pariksitam
prayopavistam gangayam
paritarm paramarsibhih
