Sūta Gosvāmī said: Offering my obeisances to the supreme religious principle, devotional service; to Lord Krishna, the supreme creator; and to all the brāhmanas, I shall now describe the eternal principles of religion.
In this Twelfth Chapter of the Twelfth Canto, Sūta Gosvāmī will summarize all the topics of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, beginning from the First Canto.
O great sages, I have narrated to you the wonderful pastimes of Lord Vishnu, as you inquired about them from me. Hearing such narrations is the suitable engagement for a person who is actually a human being.
The words narānām purushocitam indicate that men and women who actually come to the standard of human life hear and chant the glories of the Supreme Lord, whereas uncivilized persons may not be interested in the science of God.
This literature fully glorifies the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari, who removes all His devotees’ sinful reactions. The Lord is glorified as Nārāyana, Hrishīkeśa and the Lord of the Sātvatas.
Lord Krishna’s many holy names indicate His extraordinary transcendental qualities. The name Hari indicates that the Lord removes all sins from the heart of His devotee. Nārāyana indicates that the Lord sustains the existence of all other beings. Hrishīkeśa indicates that Lord Krishna is the ultimate controller of the senses of all living beings. The word bhagavān indicates that Lord Krishna is the all-attractive Supreme Being. And the words sātvatām patih indicate that the Lord is naturally the master of saintly and religious people, especially the members of the exalted Yadu family.
This literature describes the mystery of the Supreme Absolute Truth, the source of the creation and annihilation of this universe. Also presented are divine knowledge of Him together with the process of its cultivation, and the transcendental realization one achieves.
The following topics are also narrated: the process of devotional service together with its subsidiary feature of renunciation, and the histories of Mahārāja Parīkshit and the sage Nārada.
Also described are saintly King Parīkshit’s sitting down to fast until death in response to the curse of a brāhmana’s son, and the conversations between Parīkshit and Śukadeva Gosvāmī, who is the best of all brāhmanas.
The Bhāgavatam explains how one can attain liberation at the time of death by practicing fixed meditation in yoga. It also contains a discussion between Nārada and Brahmā, an enumeration of the incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and a description of how the universe was created in progressive sequence, beginning from the unmanifest stage of material nature.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Thākura explains that it would be difficult to give a complete list of the numerous accounts and topics contained in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Therefore it is understood that Sūta Gosvāmī is merely summarizing the topics. We should not consider the topics he fails to mention here less important or superfluous, since every letter and word of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is absolute, Krishna conscious sound vibration.
This scripture also relates the discussions Vidura had with Uddhava and with Maitreya, inquiries about the subject matter of this Purāna, and the winding up of creation within the body of the Supreme Lord at the time of annihilation.
The creation effected by the agitation of the modes of material nature, the seven stages of evolution by elemental transformation, and the construction of the universal egg, from which arises the universal form of the Supreme Lord — all these are thoroughly described.
Other topics include the subtle and gross movements of time, the generation of the lotus from the navel of Garbhodakaśāyī Vishnu, and the killing of the demon Hiranyāksha when the earth was delivered from the Garbhodaka Ocean.
The Bhāgavatam also describes the creation of demigods, animals and demoniac species of life; the birth of Lord Rudra; and the appearance of Svāyambhuva Manu from the half-man, half-woman Īśvara.
Also related are the appearance of the first woman, Śatarūpā, who was the excellent consort of Manu, and the offspring of the pious wives of Prajāpati Kardama.
The Bhāgavatam describes the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the exalted sage Kapila and records the conversation between that greatly learned soul and His mother, Devahūti.
Also described are the progeny of the nine great brāhmanas, the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice, and the history of Dhruva Mahārāja, followed by the histories of King Prithu and King Prācīnabarhi, the discussion between Prācīnabarhi and Nārada, and the life of Mahārāja Priyavrata. Then, O brāhmanas, the Bhāgavatam tells of the character and activities of King Nābhi, Lord Rishabha and King Bharata.
The Bhāgavatam gives an elaborate description of the earth’s continents, regions, oceans, mountains and rivers. Also described are the arrangement of the celestial sphere and the conditions found in the subterranean regions and in hell.
The rebirth of Prajāpati Daksha as the son of the Pracetās, and the progeny of Daksha’s daughters, who initiated the races of demigods, demons, human beings, animals, serpents, birds and so on — all this is described.
O brāhmanas, also recounted are the births and deaths of Vritrāsura and of Diti’s sons Hiranyāksha and Hiranyakaśipu, as well as the history of the greatest of Diti’s descendants, the exalted soul Prahlāda.
The reign of each Manu, the liberation of Gajendra, and the special incarnations of Lord Vishnu in each manvantara, such as Lord Hayaśīrshā, are described as well.
The Bhāgavatam also tells of the appearances of the Lord of the universe as Kūrma, Matsya, Narasimha and Vāmana, and of the demigods’ churning of the Milk Ocean to obtain nectar.
An account of the great battle fought between the demigods and the demons, a systematic description of the dynasties of various kings, and narrations concerning Ikshvāku’s birth, his dynasty and the dynasty of the pious Sudyumna — all are presented within this literature.
Also related are the histories of Ilā and Tārā, and the description of the descendants of the sun-god, including such kings as Śaśāda and Nriga.
The histories of Sukanyā, Śaryāti, the intelligent Kakutstha, Khatvānga, Māndhātā, Saubhari and Sagara are narrated.
The Bhāgavatam narrates the sanctifying pastimes of Lord Rāmacandra, the King of Kośala, and also explains how King Nimi abandoned his material body. The appearance of the descendants of King Janaka is also mentioned.
The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam describes how Lord Paraśurāma, the greatest descendant of Bhrigu, annihilated all the kshatriyas on the face of the earth. It further recounts the lives of glorious kings who appeared in the dynasty of the moon-god — kings such as Aila, Yayāti, Nahusha, Dushmanta’s son Bharata, Śāntanu and Śāntanu’s son Bhīshma. Also described is the great dynasty founded by King Yadu, the eldest son of Yayāti.
How Śrī Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and Lord of the universe, descended into this Yadu dynasty, how He took birth in the home of Vasudeva, and how He then grew up in Gokula — all this is described in detail.
Also glorified are the innumerable pastimes of Śrī Krishna, the enemy of the demons, including His childhood pastimes of sucking out Pūtanā’s life air along with her breast milk, breaking the cart, trampling down Trināvarta, killing Bakāsura, Vatsāsura and Aghāsura, and the pastimes He enacted when Lord Brahmā hid His calves and cowherd boyfriends in a cave.
The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam tells how Lord Krishna and Lord Balarāma killed the demon Dhenukāsura and his companions, how Lord Balarāma destroyed Pralambāsura, and also how Krishna saved the cowherd boys from a raging forest fire that had encircled them.
The chastisement of the serpent Kāliya; the rescue of Nanda Mahārāja from a great snake; the severe vows performed by the young gopīs, who thus satisfied Lord Krishna; the mercy He showed the wives of the Vedic brāhmanas, who felt remorse; the lifting of Govardhana Hill followed by the worship and bathing ceremony performed by Indra and the Surabhi cow; Lord Krishna’s nocturnal pastimes with the cowherd girls; and the killing of the foolish demons Śankhacūda, Arishta and Keśī — all these pastimes are elaborately recounted.
The Bhāgavatam describes the arrival of Akrūra, the subsequent departure of Krishna and Balarāma, the lamentation of the gopīs and the touring of Mathurā.
Also narrated are how Krishna and Balarāma killed the elephant Kuvalayāpīda, the wrestlers Mushtika and Cānūra, and Kamsa and other demons, as well as how Krishna brought back the dead son of His spiritual master, Sāndīpani Muni.
Then, O brāhmanas, this scripture recounts how Lord Hari, while residing in Mathurā in the company of Uddhava and Balarāma, performed pastimes for the satisfaction of the Yadu dynasty.
Also described are the annihilation of each of the many armies brought by Jarāsandha, the killing of the barbarian king Kālayavana and the establishment of Dvārakā City.
This work also describes how Lord Krishna brought from heaven the pārijāta tree and the Sudharmā assembly hall, and how He kidnapped Rukminī by defeating all His rivals in battle.
Also narrated are how Lord Krishna, in the battle with Bānāsura, defeated Lord Śiva by making him yawn, how the Lord cut off Bānāsura’s arms, and how He killed the master of Prāgjyotishapura and then rescued the young princesses held captive in that city.
There are descriptions of the powers and the deaths of the King of Cedi, Paundraka, Śālva, the foolish Dantavakra, Śambara, Dvivida, Pītha, Mura, Pañcajana and other demons, along with a description of how Vārānasī was burned to the ground. The Bhāgavatam also recounts how Lord Krishna relieved the earth’s burden by engaging the Pāndavas in the Battle of Kurukshetra.
How the Lord withdrew His own dynasty on the pretext of the brāhmanas’ curse; Vasudeva’s conversation with Nārada; the extraordinary conversation between Uddhava and Krishna, which reveals the science of the self in complete detail and elucidates the religious principles of human society; and then how Lord Krishna gave up this mortal world by His own mystic power — the Bhāgavatam narrates all these events.
This work also describes people’s characteristics and behavior in the different ages, the chaos men experience in the Age of Kali, the four kinds of annihilation and the three kinds of creation.
There are also an account of the passing away of the wise and saintly King Vishnurāta [Parīkshit], an explanation of how Śrīla Vyāsadeva disseminated the branches of the Vedas, a pious narration concerning Mārkandeya Rishi, and a description of the detailed arrangement of the Lord’s universal form and His form as the sun, the soul of the universe.
Thus, O best of the brāhmanas, I have explained herein what you have inquired from me. This literature has glorified in full detail the activities of the Lord’s pastime incarnations.
If when falling, slipping, feeling pain or sneezing one involuntarily cries out in a loud voice, “Obeisances to Lord Hari!” one will be automatically freed from all his sinful reactions.
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Thākura explains that Lord Śrī Caitanya is always loudly chanting the song haraye namah krishna in the courtyard of Śrīvāsa Thākura and that this same Lord Caitanya will free us from our materialistic enjoying propensity if we also loudly chant the glories of the Supreme Lord Hari.
When people properly glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead or simply hear about His power, the Lord personally enters their hearts and cleanses away every trace of misfortune, just as the sun removes the darkness or as a powerful wind drives away the clouds.
One may not be satisfied by the example of the sun removing the darkness, since sometimes the darkness in a cave is not removed by the sun. Therefore the example is given of a strong wind that drives away a cover of clouds. It is thus emphatically stated here that the Supreme Lord will remove from the heart of His devotee the darkness of material illusion.
Words that do not describe the transcendental Personality of Godhead but instead deal with temporary matters are simply false and useless. Only those words that manifest the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Lord are actually truthful, auspicious and pious.
Sooner or later, all material literature and discussion must fail the test of time. On the other hand, the transcendental descriptions of the Supreme Lord can free us from the bondage of illusion and restore us to our eternal status as loving servants of the Lord. Although men who are like animals may criticize the glorification of the Absolute Truth, those who are civilized should go on vigorously propagating the transcendental glories of the Lord.
Those words describing the glories of the all-famous Personality of Godhead are attractive, relishable and ever fresh. Indeed, such words are a perpetual festival for the mind, and they dry up the ocean of misery.
Those words that do not describe the glories of the Lord, who alone can sanctify the atmosphere of the whole universe, are considered to be like unto a place of pilgrimage for crows, and are never resorted to by those situated in transcendental knowledge. The pure and saintly devotees take interest only in topics glorifying the infallible Supreme Lord.
On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes and so on of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest.
Knowledge of self-realization, even though free from all material affinity, does not look well if devoid of a conception of the Infallible [God]. What, then, is the use of even the most properly performed fruitive activities, which are naturally painful from the very beginning and transient by nature, if they are not utilized for the devotional service of the Lord?
This and the previous two verses are found in a slightly different form in the First Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.10-12). The translations are based on Śrīla Prabhupāda’s.
The great endeavor one undergoes in executing the ordinary social and religious duties of the varnāśrama system, in performing austerities, and in hearing from the Vedas culminates only in the achievement of mundane fame and opulence. But by respecting and attentively hearing the recitation of the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Lord, the husband of the goddess of fortune, one can remember His lotus feet.
Remembrance of Lord Krishna’s lotus feet destroys everything inauspicious and awards the greatest good fortune. It purifies the heart and bestows devotion for the Supreme Soul, along with knowledge enriched with realization and renunciation.
O most eminent of brāhmanas, you are all indeed extremely fortunate, since you have already placed within your hearts Lord Śrī Nārāyana — the Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller and the ultimate Soul of all existence — beyond whom there is no other god. You have undeviating love for Him, and thus I request you to worship Him.
I also have now been fully reminded of the science of God, which I previously heard from the mouth of the great sage Śukadeva Gosvāmī. I was present in the assembly of great sages who heard him speak to King Parīkshit as the monarch sat fasting until death.
O brāhmanas, I have thus described to you the glories of the Supreme Lord Vāsudeva, whose extraordinary activities are most worthy of glorification. This narration destroys all that is inauspicious.
One who with undeviating attention constantly recites this literature at every moment of every hour, as well as one who faithfully hears even one verse or half a verse or a single line or even half a line, certainly purifies his very self.
One who hears this Bhāgavatam on the Ekādaśī or Dvādaśī day is assured of long life, and one who recites it with careful attention while fasting is purified of all sinful reactions.
One who controls his mind, fasts at the holy places Pushkara, Mathurā or Dvārakā, and studies this scripture will be freed from all fear.
Upon the person who glorifies this Purāna by chanting or hearing it, the demigods, sages, Siddhas, Pitās, Manus and kings of the earth bestow all desirable things.
By studying this Bhāgavatam, a brāhmana can enjoy the same rivers of honey, ghee and milk he enjoys by studying the hymns of the Rig, Yajur and Sāma Vedas.
A brāhmana who diligently reads this essential compilation of all the Purānas will go to the supreme destination, which the Supreme Lord Himself has herein described.
A brāhmana who studies the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam achieves firm intelligence in devotional service, a king who studies it gains sovereignty over the earth, a vaiśya acquires great treasure and a śūdra is freed from sinful reactions.
Lord Hari, the supreme controller of all beings, annihilates the accumulated sins of the Kali age, yet other literatures do not constantly glorify Him. But that Supreme Personality of Godhead, appearing in His innumerable personal expansions, is abundantly and constantly described throughout the various narrations of this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
I bow down to that unborn and infinite Supreme Soul, whose personal energies effect the creation, maintenance and destruction of the material universe. Even Brahmā, Indra, Śankara and the other lords of the heavenly planets cannot fathom the glories of that infallible Personality of Godhead.
I offer my obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the eternal Lord and the leader of all other deities, who by evolving His nine material energies has arranged within Himself the abode of all moving and nonmoving creatures, and who is always situated in pure, transcendental consciousness.
Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the son of Vyāsadeva, Śukadeva Gosvāmī. It is he who defeats all inauspicious things within this universe. Although in the beginning he was absorbed in the happiness of Brahman realization and was living in a secluded place, giving up all other types of consciousness, he became attracted by the pleasing, most melodious pastimes of Lord Śrī Krishna. He therefore mercifully spoke this supreme Purāna, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which is the bright light of the Absolute Truth and which describes the activities of the Lord.
Without offering respectful obeisances to Śukadeva Gosvāmī and other great ācāryas in his line, one cannot possibly gain the privilege of entering into the deep transcendental meaning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.