328 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 1, Ch. 7

TRANSLATION

The great sage Vyasadeva, after compiling the Srimad-Bhagavatam and
revising it, taught it to his own son, Sri Sukadeva Gosvami, who was already
engaged in self-realization.

PURPORT

Srimad-Bhdgavatam is the natural commentation on the Brahme-siitras
compiled by the same author. This Brahma-sittra or Vedanta-siitra is meant
for those who are already engaged in self-realization. Srimad-Bhagavatam
is so made that one becomes at once engaged in the path of self-realization
simply by hearing the topics. Although it is especially meant for the
paramahamsas, or those who are totally engaged in self-realization, it works
into the depth of the heart of those who may be worldly men. Worldly
men are all engaged in sense gratification. But even such men will find
in this Vedic literature a remedial measure for their material diseases.
Sukadeva Gosvami was a liberated soul from the very beginning of his
birth, and his father taught him Srimad-Bhagavatam. Amongst mundane
scholars, there is some diversity of opinion as to the date of compilation
of Srimad-Bhagavatam. It is, however, certain from the text of the
Bhagavatam that it was compiled before the disappearance of King Pariksit
and after the departure of Lord Krsna. When Maharaja Pariksit was ruling
the world as the King of Bharatavarsa, he chastised the personality of Kali.
According to revealed scriptures and astrological calculation, the age of
Kali is in its 5,000th year. Therefore, Srimad-Bhagavatam was compiled
not less than five thousand years ago. Mahabharata was compiled before
Srimad-Bhagavatam, and the Puranas were compiled before Mahabharata.
That is an estimation of the date of compilation of the different Vedic
literatures. The synopsis of Srimad-Bhagavatam was given before the
detailed description under instruction of Narada. Srimad-Bhagavatam is
the science for following the path of nivrtti-marga. The path of praurtti-
marga was condemned by Narada. That is the natural inclination for all
conditioned souls. The theme of Srimad-Bhdgavatam is the cure of the
materialistic disease of the human being, or stopping completely the pangs
of material existence.

TEXT 9

aan sara
a4 faafafaea: aaataaat aft |
PAT TEAR: AAPTA |S II
