2 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 2, Ch. 1

devotees is hinted. In the first verse, Sukadeva Gosvami replies to the
questions of Maharaja Pariksit, who asked him about one’s duties at the
point of his death. Maharaja Pariksit was glad to receive Sukadeva Go-
svami, and he was proud of being a descendant of Arjuna, the intimate
friend of Krsna. Personally, he was very humble and meek, but he ex-
pressed his gladness that Lord Krsna was very kind to the sons of Pandu,
or his grandfathers, especially his own grandfather, Arjuna. And because
Lord Krsna is always pleased with his family, therefore, at the verge of
Maharaja Pariksit’s death, Sukadeva Gosvami was sent to help him in the
process of self-realization. Maharaja Pariksit was a devotee of Lord Krsna
from his childhood, so he had natural affection for Krsna, and Sukadeva
Gosvami could understand his devotion to Lord Krsna. Therefore, he
welcomed the questions about his duty. Because the King hinted that
worship of Lord Krsna is the ultimate function of every living entity,
Sukadeva Gosvami welcomed the suggestion and said, ‘‘Because you have
raised questions about Krsna, your question is most glorious.” The trans-
lation of the first verse is as follows.

TEXT 1

sty vara
vary A va: Fe Braet FT|
MAT AAT: FM MAIMTTT Fs Til FU
Sri Suka uvaca
vartyan esa te prasnah
krto loka-hitam nrpa

atmavit-sammatah pumsam
Srotavyadisu yah parah

sri Suka uvdca—Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: variyan—glorious; esa—all
these; te—your; prasnah—questions; krtah—made by you; loka-hitam—
beneficial for all men; nrpa—the king; atmavit—transcendentalist; sam-
matah—approved; pumsam-—of all men; srotavyadisu—in the matter of all
kinds of hearing; yah—what is; parah—the supreme.

TRANSLATION

Sti Sukadeva Gosvami said: My dear King, your question is glorious
because it is very beneficial to all kinds of people. To hear the answer to
this question is the prime subject matter of hearing, and it is approved by
all transcendentalists.
