Introduction

“This Shrimad Bhagavat Purana is as radiant as the sun, and after Lord Krishna, the embodiment of Dharma, Knowledge, etc., departed for His abode, it manifested. Those humans who have lost their vision due to the deep darkness of ignorance in the Kali Yuga will find illumination through this Purana.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam 1.3.43)

Timeless knowledge of India has been expressed in ancient Sanskrit texts, specifically in the Vedas, which touch upon all fields of human knowledge. Initially, this knowledge was preserved through oral tradition, but five thousand years ago, the literary incarnation of Lord Krishna, Shri Vyasadeva, provided a written form to the Vedas. After compiling the Vedas, he presented their essence in the form of Vedanta-sutra. Shrimad Bhagavatam (Shrimad Bhagavat Purana) is the commentary on Vyasadeva’s Vedanta-sutra in his mature spiritual state under the guidance of his guru, Sage Narada. Described as the “ripened fruit of the tree of Vedic knowledge,” Shrimad Bhagavatam is considered the most comprehensive and authoritative commentary on Vedic wisdom.

After composing Shrimad Bhagavatam, Shri Vyasadeva instructed his son, Sage Shukadeva Goswami, to reveal its essence to Maharaja Parikshit. Maharaja Parikshit, a universal emperor and a saintly king, abandoned his entire kingdom and engaged in austerities and spiritual practices upon learning that he had only seven days to live. He settled on the banks of the Ganges for fasting and spiritual realization. Shukadeva Goswami visited him there, and at Maharaja Parikshit’s request, narrated the entire Shrimad Bhagavatam over seven days.

When Shukadeva Goswami first recited Shrimad Bhagavatam, Shri Suta Goswami, present at the banks of the Ganges, also narrated it to the assembled sages led by Sage Shaunaka. The discussions between Suta Goswami and Shaunaka Rishi, interspersed with insights from Shukadeva Goswami’s narration, form an integral part of Shrimad Bhagavatam.

This edition is the result of an illustrious commentary by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). His profound scholarship, deep understanding of Vedic culture, and dedication to spreading the knowledge of Bhakti are evident in this significant literary work.

After the departure of Srila Prabhupada in 1977, the translation and commentary on Shrimad Bhagavatam were continued by his disciples, His Grace Hridayananda dasa Goswami and His Grace Gopiparanadhana dasa. This ongoing effort ensures that the valuable teachings of Shrimad Bhagavatam are preserved and made accessible to readers worldwide.

Readers are encouraged to commence their exploration of Shrimad Bhagavatam from the first canto and progress sequentially through subsequent cantos to fully grasp the depth of its philosophical discussions and the wisdom embedded in its timeless narratives.