MĀYĀPUR INSTITUTE

BĀLA BHĀGAVATAM

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is the saviour of the whole world

 Dedicated to

HIS DIVINE GRACE A.C BHAKTIVENDATA

SWAMI PRABHUPĀDA

FOUNDER ĀCĀRYA ISKCON

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DEDICATION

There is need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in

peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause. Śrīmad
Bhāgavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural
respiritualuzation of the entire human society

- SB canto 1, Preface

This Bāla Bhāgavatam is dedicated to His Divine Grace

Abhaya Charanaravinda Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupāda
who has given Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
through the Bhakti Vedanta purports to the people of the
entire world.

We the disciples of H.H. Radha Govinda Das Gosvami Mahārāj

and H.H. Jayapataka Swami Mahārāj ,offer this book unto their
lotus hands, under whose inspiration and guidance we are
dedicated to serve the entire humanity through the systematic
study of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.
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table of Contents

1. What is Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3

2. Invocation verse no -1 4

3. Characteristics of Kṛṣṇa 7

4. Vyāsadeva’s object of meditation 18

5. Authenticity of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 22

6. Activity corner 26

7. Invocation verse no-2 31

8. Difference between Real and Cheating

33
religion.

9. Superiority of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

36
Over Karma Kāṇḍa.

10. Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is superior to

38
Upasana Kāṇḍa division of Vedas.

11. Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is superior to 39

Jñāna Kāṇḍa division of Vedas.
41
12. Śrīmad Bhāgavatam destroys all miseries.

13. Superiority of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 42

from the compiler’s point of view.

14. Descend of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from Vaikuṇṭha 42

15. Activity Corner 43

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table of Contents

49
16. Invocation verse no-3

17. Oh men, drink juice of Śrīmad 50

Bhāgavatam

52
18. It is “rasamalayam” storehouse of “spiritual
rasa”
55
19. How to relish spiritual rasa?

20. Receiving Śrīmad Bhāgavatam in ISKCON 56

21. Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī delivers the message “as it 57

is” In a way appealing to all

22. There is nothing in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam That 58

can be rejected.

23. Everything can be achieved by studying 58

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.

24. Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa 58

25. Hearing Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is very important.

58

26. How Śrīmad Bhāgavatam should be heard?

59

27. Goal of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.

60

27. Activity corner

61
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1

PREFACE

The book is a teaching aid for the teachers who want to impart
knowledge of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam in a simple way, as well as a
study material for the children who are eager to learn Śrīmad
Bhāgavatam. There has been a need of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam all
times, especially in the present period where there is
uncertainty, anxiety, and lack of peaceful atmosphere
throughout the world.

Study of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam helps one to face these situations

by connecting oneself to Kṛṣṇa, The Supreme Personality of
Godhead, whose glories, and activities are described in this
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.

Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted to introduce teaching of Śrīmad

Bhāgavatam in schools and colleges, for it is recommended by
the great student devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja.

śrī-prahrāda uvāca
kaumāra ācaret prājño
dharmān bhāgavatān iha
durlabhaṁ mānuṣaṁ janma
tad apy adhruvam arthadam
(SB 7.6.1)
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PREFACE

Śrīla Prabhupāda says “children are a blank slate. You can

mould them as you like, and they are eager to learn.”

Many a times senior devotees in the movement have felt &

expressed the need of such a book for teaching children. This
book has been written to educate children who are future of
our society. In the present society there is a need of spreading
Kṛṣṇa consciousness through systematic teaching of Śrīmad
Bhāgavatam.

It is aimed at educating children in the philosophy of Śrīmad

Bhāgavatam there by helping them to strengthen their faith
and develop devotion unto Kṛṣṇa, staying away from atheists
and those who misguide.

The Māyāpur Institute likes to acknowledge with thanks, the

contributions made by our beloved team members who have
been dedicatedly serving for this great literature.

Hare Kṛṣṇa
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3

WHAT IS ŚRĪMAD
BHĀGAVATAM?

It is one of the 18 purāṇas compiled by Srila Vyāsadeva under the

instruction of his spiritual master Nārada Muni. Vyāsadeva is an
incarnation of Kṛṣṇa. It contains descriptions about the activities of
the Lord and His pure devotees. It has 12 cantos. Śrīmad
Bhāgavatam is the science of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Absolute
Personality of Godhead.

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is the transcendental science not only for

knowing the ultimate source of everything but also for knowing
our relationship with Him and our duty toward perfection of the
human society on the basis of this perfect knowledge. (Preface
SB)
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4
SB 1.1.1

oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya

janmādy asya yato ’nvayād itarataś cārtheṣv abhijñaḥ svarāṭ
tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ
tejo-vāri-mṛdāṁ yathā vinimayo yatra tri-sargo ’mṛṣā
dhāmnā svena sadā nirasta-kuhakaṁ satyaṁ paraṁ dhīmahi

BHĀ VĀ NVAYĀ NUVĀ DA

Paraṁ - absolute; satyaṁ - truth; dhīmahi – Let us meditate upon

Let us meditate upon the Absolute Truth

asya – of the manifested universes; janma-ādi –the creation, sustenance,

and destruction; yataḥ -who is the cause of (from whom) - Who is the
cause of the creation, sustenance, and destruction of the manifested
universes.

Let us meditate upon the Absolute Truth (Lord Śri Kṛṣṇa), Who is the
cause of the creation, sustenance, and destruction of the manifested
universes.
____________________________________________________
artheṣu – of all manifestations; anvayāt – (He is) directly; ca – and; itarataḥ
- indirectly; abhijñaḥ—fully cognizant

He is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations.

_____________________________________________________
sva-rāṭ - He is fully independent,

yaḥ - one who (Lord Śri Kṛṣṇa); ādi-kavaye hṛdā – unto the heart of
Brahmā; brahma – the Vedic knowledge; tene – imparted; it is He only
who imparted Brahmā through his heart, the Vedic knowledge,

Yat – about which (about vedic knowledge); sūrayaḥ - the great sages and
demigods; muhyanti – are illusioned;
about which the great sages and demigods are illusioned,
tejaḥ - fire; vāri – water; mṛdāṁ - earth; yathā – as much as; vinimayaḥ -
actions and reactions;
as one is bewildered by the illusory representations of water seen in fire,
or land seen on water.
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He is fully independent, and it is He only who imparted to Brahmā

through his heart, the Vedic knowledge, about which the great
sages and demigods are illusioned, as one is bewildered by the
illusory representations of water seen in fire, or land seen on water.
________________________________________________
yatra – whereupon (only because of Him); tri-sargaḥ - (temporarily
manifested universes constituted of) three modes of nature; amṛṣā –
appear factual (although they are unreal);

Only because of Him (Lord Sri Krsna), temporarily manifested

universes constituted of three modes of nature appear factual
although they are unreal.
________________________________________________
Svena dhāmnā – by His own glories; sadā – always; kuhakam –
illusion; nirasta – negated by absence

Kṛṣṇa, has always eliminated illusion by His own glories.

________________________________________________

Intended meaning of the verse

Let us meditate upon the Absolute Truth (Lord Śri Kṛṣṇa), Who is
the cause of the creation, sustenance, and destruction of the
manifested universes. He is directly and indirectly conscious of all
manifestations. He is fully independent, and it is He only who
imparted to Brahmā through his heart, the Vedic knowledge, about
which the great sages and demigods are illusioned, as one is
bewildered by the illusory representations of water seen in fire, or
land seen on water. Only because of Him (Lord Śri Kṛṣṇa),
temporarily manifested universes constituted of three modes of
nature appear factual although they are unreal. Kṛṣṇa, has always
eliminated illusion by His own glories.
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ŚRĪLA VYĀSADEVA

First śloka of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam begins with Vyāsadeva

offering respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality
of Godhead. This is the system. We should begin the study of
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam with auspicious innvocations
(Mangalacaran prayers).

Mangalacaran prayers should define the objective, should

contain benedictions and through these prayers offering
obeisances should be done. Vyāsadeva offers obeisances unto
the Supreme Personality of Godhead and meditates on His
activities. Vyāsadeva teaches everyone by his personal
example. We should follow the path of sages like Vyāsadeva.
Then only we will be able to progress in our spiritual life.
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CHARACTERISTICS OF KṚṢṆA
Vyāsadeva establishes Śrī Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of
Godhead through the following two characteristics.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
A. The supreme Lord is Satyam Param - He is the Absolute Truth.
No truth is superior to Kṛṣṇa. He is a person. If you take any living
being, no one can be superior or equal to Him.

B. He is the beginning of all truth. Whatever we see is coming from

Kṛṣṇa. Without Him there is no existance of truth in this world. Any
truth you see in this world has its source in Kṛṣṇa

C. Lord is equal to everyone, and His instructions apply for

everyone all time. Bhagavad gītā was spoken 5,000 years ago by
Kṛṣṇa. His instructions in form of Bhagavad Gītā is applicable even
today.
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MARGINAL CHARACTERISTICS
A. Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is both, the material and efficient cause of
everything-sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam
-That means Lord is the cause of all causes.
- Let us understand how Kṛṣṇa is both material and efficient
cause by taking the example of a potter making a pot.

Clay is the material cause and wheel is the instrumental or efficient

cause, and potter is the prime cause in making a pot. The
knowledge to make the pot comes from the potter.

Similarly material energy is both the ingredient and efficient cause

of the universe and Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa is the prime cause.
Ingredients, by which the universe is composed, come from Kṛṣṇa
and He is the knowledge and intelligence of this creation.
Therefore Kṛṣṇa is both, the material and the efficient cause.

Clay Potter

Potter's wheel
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B. Kṛṣṇa existed before creation and continues to exist.

Kṛṣṇa imparted Vedic knowledge unto Brahmā, the first created

living being. Material world is created by the will of Kṛṣṇa. It is
maintained for some time by Him, and it is annihilated after a
certain period by the will of the Lord. When we see a building, we
think of the owner of the building who must be existing before the
construction of the building. Similarly, this material creation
reminds us about the original creator who existed before creation
and who continues to exist.

C. Kṛṣṇa is fully cognizant-Abhijñaḥ

That means Kṛṣṇa knows everything. How?

He sits in His abode and knows what is happening throughout His

creations. He does not have to personally visit each place to know
what is happening there.

Kṛṣṇa knows everything. We don’t know what will happen in future.

But Kṛṣṇa knows past, present and future. We can understand this
with the help of the following analogies.
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ANALOGY 1

The chief engineer of a complicated construction does

not personally take part in the construction, but he knows
every nook and corner because everything is done under
his direction. He knows everything about the
construction, both directly and indirectly. Similarly, the
Personality of Godhead, who is the supreme engineer of
this cosmic creation, knows every nook and corner,
although affairs are being carried out by demigods.

- SB 1.1.1
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ANALOGY 2

A chemist can manufacture water in the chemical

laboratory by mixing hydrogen and oxygen. But, in
reality, the living entity works in the laboratory under the
direction of the Supreme Lord. And the materials with
which he works are also supplied by the Lord. The Lord
knows everything directly and indirectly, and He is
cognizant of all minute details, and He is fully
independent.

- SB 1.1.1
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D) Lord Kṛṣṇa is fully independent- Svarat

This means Kṛṣṇa does not have to depend on anyone. Kṛṣṇa does
the creation without anyone’s help. Prakṛti works under the
direction of Kṛṣṇa. Brahmā had to meditate upon the Supreme
Lord to perform secondary creation. Even atheists like Rāvaṇa and
Hiraṇyakaśipu had to undergo severe penances to attain power.

This shows how everyone is dependent on someone. Living entities

create their own kind being empowered by the Lord. Human
beings manufacture various machines, but those machines cannot
create machines on their own. But The Lord can create varieties of
living entities independently. No one is greater than or equal to
Him.
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KṚṢṆA'S SECONDARY
CHARACTERISTICS

(E) Kṛṣṇa is the creator and controller of all the universes.

We try to be the controllers. But we cannot continue to be always

the controllers. Not only material world but also the spiritual world
is controlled by Kṛṣṇa. Even the demigods are working in different
departments under the direction of Kṛṣṇa.

Kṛṣṇa sits in His abode and controls everything. We can understand

this with the help of the following analogy.
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ANALOGY 3

The modern scientist, for example, has created space

satellites, and by some arrangement or other, these
satellites are thrown into outer space to fly for some time
at the control of the scientist who is far away. Similarly,
all the universes with innumerable stars and planets are
controlled by the intelligence of the Personality of
Godhead.

- SB 1.1.1
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Satellites sent by the Scientists into the outer space remain under
their control for a period of time. Sometimes they go out of control
of the scientists. But everything in the creation is always controlled
by Kṛṣṇa.

The Supreme Lord is the controller of all other controllers, and He

is the greatest of all the diverse planetary leaders.

F) Lord is all powerful-Sarva Saktiman

Lord had killed demons like Hiraṇyakaśipu and Hiraṇyākṣa. Lord

Nṛsiṁhadeva killed Hiraṇyakaśipu using only His nails.

Lord Rāma killed the ten headed Rāvaṇa. Lord Kṛṣṇa had killed
many powerful demons in His childhood. He is the most powerful.
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G) Kṛṣṇa is not affected by Māyā or Illusion

Māyā is the external energy of Kṛṣṇa. She cannot control Kṛṣṇa. She
cannot even touch the Lord. Lord Kṛṣṇa eternally stays in His abode
which is forever free from māyā or illusion. Kṛṣṇa is not
conditioned by illusion.

Lord’s internal energy (Yogamāyā) is real. Reality is in spiritual

world. But external energy in the form of material existence is only
temporary and illusory like a mirage in the desert. The temporary
manifestations in this material world are so created as to present an
illusion of reality to the bewildered mind of the conditioned soul
who appears in so many species of life including the higher
demigods like, Indra, Candra, Varuṇa and so on. Kṛṣṇa is the base
support for all created objects.

There is no reality in this world. There appears to be reality because

of the spiritual world where the Supreme Lord eternally exists. In
the material world one truth is dependent on the other. We can
understand this with the help of the following analogy.
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ANALOGY 4

In the desert mirage there is no actual water. There is

only the appearance of water. Real water is somewhere
else. The manifested cosmic creation appears as reality.
But reality, of which this is but a shadow, is in the
spiritual world.

- SB 1.1.1
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VYĀSADEVA'S
OBJECT OF MEDITATION
Do we accept material nature as God?
Since material nature is creating so many new objects, is that nature
God?

What are your thoughts ?

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No, Material nature is working under the direction of Kṛṣṇa. As per

(BG 9.10)

mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ
sūyate sa-carācaram
hetunānena kaunteya
jagad viparivartate

TRANSLATION
This material nature is working under My direction, O son of Kunti,
and it is producing all moving and nonmoving beings. By its rule
this manifestation is created and annihilated again and again.

Do we need to meditate on human being as God?

No, human beings need help from someone to get knowledge. But
Kṛṣṇa is full of Knowledge. Human beings are not independent.
Monks also depend on their disciples who help with money to
build monasteries. No one is independent in the creation. But Kṛṣṇa
is fully independent, thus He is the Supreme Personality of
Godhead.
Therefore Vyāsadeva meditates upon Him as the Absolute Truth.
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Do we need to meditate on Lord Brahmā as God?

Demon meditating on Lord

Brahmā

No, Kṛṣṇa imparted the Vedic

knowledge to Brahmā. (tene brahma
hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye)

It can be concluded from SB 1.1.1 that

Vyāsadeva meditates on Supreme Lord
Kṛṣṇa, who is the Absolute Personality
of Godhead. Even though some
philosophers claim prakṛti and a
powerful name like Brahmā to be God,
they are not God. Neither prakṛti nor
the powerful person like Brahmā is the
object of meditation of Vyāsadeva as
Absolute Truth.
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So, we can understand that we must mediate on the Supreme Lord,

understanding through the realizations of Vyāsadeva and from the
way Vyāsadeva established that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of
Godhead through two characteristics. We can understand this fact
from other devotees who have realized it and explained the same.

a. Jīva Gosvami explained in Kṛṣṇa-sandarbha.

b. Lord Brahmā in Brahma-saṁhitā
c. Arjuna says in Bhagavad-gītā, also he mentions that Asita, Devala,
Vyāsa and You Yourself has confirmed.
d. Also, great sages like Nārada, and many others have confirmed
this.
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AUTHENTICITY OF ŚRĪMAD-
BHĀGAVATAM
We have already concluded from the realizations of Vyāsadeva and
from other great personalities that Supreme Lord is the chief
amongst all living personalities, and He only possesses greatest
intelligence.

He is not affected by Māyā; He is cognizant and svarat. Therefore,

Vyāsadeva offers his respectful obeisances unto the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.

So, we have seen how Vyāsadeva established that Kṛṣṇa is the

Supreme Personality of Godhead in the First verse. Now we are
going to see the authenticity of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

Let us hear from various personalities about Śrīmad-

Bhāgavatam
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Lord Caitanya says – it is spotless Purāṇa as it contains

transcendental narration of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Lord Caitanya Himself used
to listen to Śrīmad Bhāgavatam regularly from Gadadhar Pandit,
while he was in Purī.

Vyāsadeva had compiled it after attaining maturity in

transcendental knowledge. So, it is glorious.

He compiled it under the instruction of his spiritual master Nārada

Muni. .
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Śrī Śrīdhara Svāmī, an ācārya who wrote commentary on Śrīmad-

Bhāgavatam, points out some references about the scripture in
some Purāṇas.

a. The first śloka of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam begins with the Gāyatrī

mantra. There is reference to this in the Matsya Purāṇa, which is the
oldest Purāṇa. It is mentioned that there is the history of Vṛtrāsura
and anyone who makes a gift of this great work on Bhadra Purnima
attains to the highest perfection of life by returning to Godhead.

b. There is a reference to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in other Purāṇas

also, where it is stated that this work was finished in 12 cantos and
contains eighteen thousand slokas.

c. In Padma Purāṇa there is a reference to Śrīmad Bhāgavatam in a

conversation between Gautama Rishi and Mahārāja Ambarīṣa. The
king was advised therein to regularly read Śrīmad Bhāgavatam if he
desired liberation from material bondage.

Matsya Purāṇa Mahārāja Ambarīṣa

12 cantos of
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam
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Many scholars and ācārya like Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, Sanātana

Gosvāmī, Viśvanātha Cakravartī Thakura, Vallabhācārya and many
other distinguished scholars even after at the time of Lord Caitanya
had made elaborate commentaries on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Śrīla Prabhupadā - “This Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam will elevate the

reader gradually to the highest perfectional state. It will help him to
rise above the three modes”.
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ACTVITIY
CORNER
 27
INVOCATION

Identify the picture

and colour
ANS - _______________
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28

2. Sanskrit Vocabulary.

· Sva-rāṭ - _______________
· Abhijñaḥ - _______________
· Satyam Param - _______________
· Prakṛti - _______________

Nārada Muni Brahmā

Gāyatrī mantra Vyāsadeva

Pranava mantra Arjuna

Māyā

2. Fill in the blanks.

1. The spiritual master of Vyāsadeva is ______________.

2. The secondary creation is done by _______________ ,
under the order of Kṛṣṇa.
3. The compiler of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is _____________.
4. In Bhagavad-gītā _______________ , says that Kṛṣṇa is
the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
5. The first verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam begins with
______________.

3. Complete the words

1. The word Abhijñaḥ means fully c_gni_ant.

2. Kṛṣṇa is A_so_ut_Tr_th.

3. Oldest Purana is, _at_ya Purāṇa.

4. Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva killed Hiran_a_as_p_ with His nails.

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4. Write down one characteristic of Lord Kṛṣṇa which you find

is the most inspiring. Explain the reason?

5 High Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)

Suppose, you and your friend have a discussion on God

consciousness. How will you, as a student of Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam present him God consciousness ?

6. Daily activity

Before going to bed chant the 1st

verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
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7. Show the devotee the way to Goloka.

8. What have you learnt?

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SB 1. 1. 2

In the SB 1.1.1, Śrīla Vyāsadeva established Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as

the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Also, we saw the
authenticity of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.

Now we can discuss on the 2nd verse of Śrīmad

Bhāgavatam which is also a mangalacaran prayer.

dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo ’tra paramo nirmatsarāṇāṁ satāṁ

vedyaṁ vāstavam atra vastu śivadaṁ tāpa-trayonmūlanam
śrīmad-bhāgavate mahā-muni-kṛte kiṁ vā parair īśvaraḥ
sadyo hṛdy avarudhyate ’tra kṛtibhiḥ śuśrūṣubhis tat-kṣaṇāt

BHĀ VĀ NVAYĀ NUVĀ DA

atra – here; śrimad-bhāgavate – in this beautiful Bhāgavatam; mahā-

muni-kṛte – compiled by the great sage Vyāsadeva

Here, in this beautiful Bhāgavatam, compiled by the great sage

Vyāsadeva,

projjhita kaitavaḥ - completely rejecting all religious activities covered by

fruitive intention,

Nirmatsarāṇāṁ satāṁ - for those devotees who are fully pure in heart,
Paramaḥ dharmaḥ (nirūpyate) – (the) highest truth is ascertained.

Here, in this beautiful Bhāgavatam, compiled by the great sage

Vyāsadeva, completely rejecting all religious activities based on fruitive
intention (i.e. cheating religions), for those devotees who are fully pure
in heart, the highest truth is revealed.
____________________________________________________
Śivadaṁ - (such truth) bestows auspiciousness.

tāpa-traya - threefold miseries; unmūlanam – causing uprooting of

tāpa-trayonmūlanam – (and) uproots the threefold miseries.

Such truth bestows auspiciousness and uproots the threefold miseries.

____________________________________________________
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atra – here (in this Bhāgavatam); Vāstavam – factual; vastu – substance;

vedyaṁ - can be understood

Here, in this Bhāgavatam the factual substance can be understood.

____________________________________________________

Kiṁ vā paraiḥ - What is the need of any other scripture?

____________________________________________________
atra śuśrūṣubhiḥ kṛtibhiḥ - for those devotees who desire to hear the
message of Bhāgavatam;

īśvaraḥ - the Supreme Lord; sadyaḥ - (becomes) instantly; hṛdi – within

the heart; avarudhyate – captured

For those devotees who desire to hear the message of Bhāgavatam, the
Supreme Lord becomes instantly captured within the heart.
____________________________________________________

tat-kṣaṇāt – without delay (when one begins to hear the message of

Bhāgavatam, the Supreme Lord is established within the heart).

When one begins to hear the message of Bhāgavatam, the Supreme

Lord is established within the heart, without delay.
________________________________________________

Intended meaning of the Verse

Here, in this beautiful Bhāgavatam, compiled by the great sage
Vyāsadeva, completely rejecting all religious activities based on fruitive
intention (i.e. cheating religions), for those devotees who are fully pure in
heart, the highest truth is revealed. Such truth bestows auspiciousness
and uproots the threefold miseries. Here, in this Bhāgavatam the factual
substance can be understood. What is the need of any other scripture?
For those devotees who desire to hear the message of Bhāgavatam, the
Supreme Lord becomes instantly captured within the heart. When one
begins to hear the message of Bhāgavatam, the Supreme Lord is
established within the heart, without delay.
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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
REAL AND CHEATING RELIGION
At the beginning of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, Śrīla Vyāsadeva teaches us
how to remain free from hypocrisy by the study of the difference
between real and cheating religion.

REAL RELIGION
Real religion teaches one how to surrender unto the Lord and
serve Him. It is paro dharma. It helps to attain self-realization-
that is, one understands his eternal relationship with the Lord.

CHEATING RELIGION
Cheating religion or kaitava dharma is approaching the Lord with
selfish motives.
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Paro-dharma Kaitava-dharma

Without religion, human life is no better than animal life, where

there is consideration of only eating, sleeping, mating and
defending.

From materialistic point of view religion includes four primary

activities:
a. pious activities (Dharma)
b. economic development (Artha)
c. sense gratification (Kama)
d. liberation from material bondage. (Moksha)

To satisfy the senses, one turns to religion. He performs pious

activities, then his economic situation will be improved and after
enjoying for some period he tries to attain liberation. But
normally the last activity never happens. People get stuck with
sense enjoyment without striving for liberation. Vedas also
prescribe the above but in a systematic way.

Vedas prescribe three paths to attain self-realization.

They are …..

a. Karma kāṇḍa
b. Upasana kāṇḍa
c. Jñāna kāṇḍa
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Śrīmad Bhāgavatam teaches paro dharma which is superior to

Karma kāṇḍa, Upasana kāṇḍa and Jñāna kāṇḍa divisions of the
Vedas.
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SUPERI ORI TY OF ŚRĪ MAD

BHĀGAVATAM OVER KARMA KĀṆḌA
Let us understand the perverted reflection of Karma kāṇḍa before
knowing what is the actual Karma kāṇḍa.

Perverted reflection of Karma Kāṇḍa

We can see the perverted reflection of karma kāṇḍa in the material

world. Everyone wants to enjoy by engaging in various activities.
E.g., going to shopping mall and purchasing clothes and other
accessories. Initially one will be very happy. As months pass by
the person becomes sad as he does not have anything new. E.g.,
The clothes start fading away.
What do you understand from this?
That means in this material world the happiness obtained is
only temporary.
Let us see another example to have a better understanding.
Everyone likes to celebrate their birthday, especially children. It
is like a festival. Children will get new clothes, cakes,
chocolates, gifts, and they arrange party for their friends and
relatives, and they feel happiness by seeing everyone wishing
them. Children feel like they are on top of the world. But as soon
as the party gets over they will be sad. So, we can understand
that this happiness is also temporary. So, anything one does for
sense enjoyment is not going to provide him permanent
happiness. This is the perverted reflection of karma kāṇḍa in the
material world.

What is Karma Kāṇḍa?

Regulated activities prescribed in

the Vedas are called the karma-
kāṇḍa conception of life.
Performance of pious activities to
enjoy in this world and fruitive
activities to gain promotion to
better planets are called Karma
Kāṇḍa.
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NOW LET US SEE WHAT IS THE

ACTUAL KARMA KĀṆḌA?
People have different motives. This gives scope for jealousy. To
fulfill them they will engage in different activities. People want to
enjoy in the earthly planet or in the heavenly planets. Different
sacrifices are performed to attain higher planets and enjoy there.
But they attain temporary happiness only. In some cases people
with the same motive give charity in the form of money, food,
clothes, etc. One attains heavenly planets by these kinds of
activities. But they cannot enjoy there permanently as heavenly
planets are not permanent. Here people are interested in fulfilling
their desires but there is no surrender attitude towards the Lord.
So, they don’t go to the supreme planet in the spiritual world as
they are interested in sense enjoyment.

Where do we get the information of the supreme planet?

The answer is -From Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.

The supreme planet is Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa's eternal abode (Goloka

Dhāma) where He stays with His eternal associates performing
various pastimes. By studying Śrīmad Bhāgavatam one can achieve
the Lord’s abode. Our goal should be to reach Lord’s abode and
engage in His loving devotional service and not to attain temporary
heavenly planets by performing karma kāṇḍa activities. Even if one
attains higher planets one has to come back to this miserable world.
So, we can see that Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is higher than Karma kāṇḍa
division of Vedas.
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ŚRĪMAD BHĀGAVATAM IS
S U P E R I O R T O U P AS A N A K Ā Ṇ Ḍ A
DIVISION OF THE VEDAS. HOW?
Upasana Kāṇḍa- Upasana means worship. There are different
types of Upasana, such as Deva Upasana, Brahma Upasana, etc.

Kṛṣṇa Says in Bhagavad Gita 9.25” Those who worship the demigods
will take birth among the demigods; those who worship ghosts and
spirits will take birth among such beings; those who worship
ancestors go to the ancestors; and those who worship Me will live
with Me”.

Only Lord Kṛṣṇa’s abode is eternal, whereas, all planets in the

material world are perishable.

So, is it not exciting to know that we can go to the eternal planet and live
there eternally, happily serving our dearest Kṛṣṇa.

Yes, of course, devotees of Kṛṣṇa are always engaged in worshipping

Him to attain His abode.
 INVOCATION
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The description of Spiritual world is given in the Śrīmad

Bhāgavatam. This Śrīmad Bhāgavatam gives immediate God-
realization. Hence, the speciality of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam over
other scriptures.“kiṁ vā parair īśvaraḥ”. So, what is the need of
any other scripture when this beautiful Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is
with us? Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is superior to Upasana Kāṇḍa,
division of Vedas.

ŚRĪMAD BHĀGAVATAM IS SUPERIOR

TO JÑĀNA KĀṆḌA DIVISION OF THE VEDAS.
HOW?
What is Jñāna kāṇḍa?

Realizing the Absolute Truth in His impersonal feature and

becoming one with Him is Jñāna kāṇḍa.

Let us try to understand it in detail.

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We can see that mental speculators undergoing severe austerities

do not achieve the desired results. Then they become frustrated in
their attempt.

Hence, they give up the attempt and take shelter of Jñāna kāṇḍa -
the process of salvation, trying to become one with Lord.

In Jñāna kāṇḍa they focus on understanding about the impersonal

feature of the Lord. If one is trying to become one with the Lord
then, he has no service attitude, and it is said to be a kind of sense
gratification in one way, because there is a selfish motive behind
this desire.

Students of Jñāna kāṇḍa realize only the impersonal feature of the

Lord. But beyond this impersonal feature, the Lord has a personal
form, “sat cit ānanda vigrahaḥ”.

Lord Kṛṣṇa is Svayam Bhagavān “original Personality of Godhead".

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam gives information of the Lord in His personal
feature. Therefore, Supreme Lord Sri Kṛṣṇa is understood only
through Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Therefore, Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is
superior to Jñāna kāṇḍa division of Vedas.
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ŚRĪMAD BHĀGAVATAM DESTROYS

ALL MISERIES
Study of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam can uproot the miseries of our life.
There are three types of miseries, such as 1. ādhyātmika
2. ādhidaivika, 3. ādhibhautika

Pain caused by animals, insects,

tortures, etc.
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SUPERIORITY OF ŚRĪMAD BHĀGAVATAM

FROM THE COMPILER’S POINT OF VIEW

So, we have seen that Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is superior to all the paths
mentioned in the Vedas. Now let us see Śrīmad Bhāgavatam’s
superiority according to the compiler Vyāsadeva

It is “mahā-muni-kṛte”, means compiled by the great sage

Vyāsadeva. Śrīla Vyāsadeva is an incarnation of Narāyanā.
Vyāsadeva had compiled it under the instruction of his spiritual
master Nārada Muni.

DESCENT OF ŚRĪMAD BHĀGAVATAM

FROM VAIKUNTHA

Did you know?

Sri Kṛṣṇa originally spoke Śrīmad Bhāgavatam to Brahmā and then

continued to speak it through the agency of Nārada Muni, Śrīla
Vyāsadeva, Śukadeva Gosvāmī and other great sages.
 INVOCATION 43

ACTIVITY
CORNER
 INVOCATION
44

1. Match the Following -

No motive
Paro dharma

Impersonal realization
of Kṛṣṇa
Vyāsadeva

Incarnation of Narayana
Jñāna kāṇḍa

Spoke Bhāgavatam to
Brahmā
Nārada

2. Fill in the blanks

a. Without religion human life is no better than

___________________ life.

b. Lord’s abode is ____________________.

c. Kaitava dharma is _________________ religion.

d. _________________ is sufficient for God

realization.

e. One cannot stay permanently in heavenly planets

because they are ___________________.

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45

3. Identify the correct path in which is shown in each picture.

(Jñāna, Karma, Upasana)

LONG ANSWERS

4. Describe the difference between Paro dharma & Kaitava

dharma.
 INVOCATION
46

5. Suppose, you were given 2 options to live : To go to

heavenly planets and enjoy or to go back to Goloka;
What would you choose and why?

6. Your friend, Devadatta comes and tells you that life is only
meant to enjoy and nothing else. How would you as a student
of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam class refute his argument.
 INVOCATION
47

7. There is no need of any literature, Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is

sufficient.

Substantiate this statement

 INVOCATION
48

8. Identify the image and color it.

 INVOCATION
49

SB 1.1.3

nigama-kalpa-taror galitaṁ phalaṁ

śuka-mukhād amṛta-drava-saṁyutam
pibata bhāgavataṁ rasam ālayam
muhur aho rasikā bhuvi bhāvukāḥ

BHĀ VĀ NVAYĀ NUVĀ DA

Bhagavataṁ - this Śrimad-Bhāgavatam; galitaṁ phalaṁ - is the

matured fruit; nigama-kalpa-taroḥ - of the desire tree of Vedic
literatures.

This Śrimad-Bhāgavatam is the matured fruit of the desire

tree of the Vedic literatures.
____________________________________________

Śuka-mukhāt – it emanated from the lips of Śri Śukadeva

Gosvāmī;
____________________________________________

amṛta-drava-saṁyutam – it is full of nectarean juice.

____________________________________________
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50

SB 1.1.3

aho – O; bhāvukāḥ -expert and thoughtful devotees; rasikāḥ -

knower of the mellows; pibata – (you) do relish (the mellow of
the Bhāgavata),
O expert and thoughtful devotees, do relish the mellow of the
Bhāgavata,
bhuvi – here on the earth; ālayam – until liberation, or even in
a liberated condition
here on the earth until liberation, or even in a liberated
condition.

O expert and thoughtful devotees do relish the mellow of the

Bhāgavata, here on the earth until liberation, or even in a
liberated condition.
___________________________________________

Intended meaning of the verse

This Śrimad-Bhāgavatam is the matured fruit of the desire
tree of the Vedic literatures. It emanated from the lips of Śri
Śukadeva Gosvāmī; it is full of nectarean juice. O expert and
thoughtful devotees do relish the mellow of the Bhāgavata,
here on the earth until liberation, or even in a liberated
condition.

OH MEN, DRINK THE DELICIOUS JUICE OF

ŚRĪMAD BHĀGAVATAM
In the second verse we have seen that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is
superior to all the scriptures. And, it must be studied by one and all.
Moreover, in text three, it is said that Śrimad-Bhāgavatam is the
fruit of the Vedic literatures. Therefore, we must hear Śrimad-
Bhāgavatam.

The Vedas are the means of obtaining the goals of human life. Since
Vedas fulfill all desires, they are called "kalpataru".
 INVOCATION
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Here it is said that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the ripened fruit of the

Vedic desire tree which exists in Vaikuṇṭha.

Vedas means knowledge. Do you know how many Vedas are

there?

There are four Vedas

a. Ṛg veda
b. Yajur veda
c. Sāma Veda
d. Atharva Veda

What do we get from these Vedas?

We get material knowledge like -

a. Political science
b. Art
c. Music
d. Material Scientific knowledge
e. Medical science
And many more….

And we get Spiritual knowledge like -

a. Knowledge about the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa
b. Knowledge of Self - realization
c. Knowledge about devotees
d. Knowledge about Devotional service
And many more…………
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Thus, Vedas is like a desire tree -a wish fulfilling tree. It helps us to

fulfill our desires. This tree has a ripened fruit. It is Śrīmad
Bhāgavatam. We all know that a ripened fruit is very tasty.

Wish fulfilling tree Ripened Fruit

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is the cream of Vedic knowledge.

When we take all Vedic literature, Śrīmad Bhāgavatam presents the
cream of them. We know how tasty the cream is.

IT IS “RASAMALAYAM”-STORE HOUSE OF
“SPIRITUAL RASA”.
Rasa is juice of a fruit. That is the common understanding.
Everyone likes to drink fruit juice. But here rasa means
transcendental pleasure experienced from the study of Śrīmad
Bhāgavatam, the fruit of the Vedas.

We can relish the spiritual rasa exchanged between the Lord and
His devotees from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Thus, Śrīmad Bhāgavatam
is the store house of rasas “rasamalayam”. There are five primary
rasas and seven secondary rasas.
 INVOCATION
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Primary rasas
Adoration, service, friendship, parental affection, and conjugal
love.

Sanat Kumaras Hanuman Ji

Adoration Service

Yashoda Cowherd Boys

Maiya
Parental
Friendship
Affection

Radha Rani
& Gopi's
Conjugal
love
 INVOCATION
54

Secondary rasas
Comedy, compassion, chivalry, wonder, anger, ghastliness, fear

Cowherd Boy's Nityānanda Kṛṣṇa fighting

Prabhu Bhīṣmadev

Comedy Compassion Chivalry

Kaṁsa. and Yaśodā looking in Davagni pan lila

Devakī Krishna's Mouth

Anger Wonder Ghastliness

Kaṁsa fearing
Kṛṣṇa

Fear
 INVOCATION
55

HOW TO RELISH SPIRITUAL RASA?

It is available through disciplic succession on earth for the devotees
who want to relish.

Disciplic succession which starts from Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself.

This Śrīmad Bhāgavatam has come down from Kṛṣṇa to Brahmā,
Brahmā to Nārada, from Nārada to Vyāsadeva from Vyāsadeva to
Śukadeva Gosvāmī, from Suta Gosvāmī through disciplic
succession it has reached Śrīla Prabhupada. Like a ripened fruit
remains unbroken when transferred from one person to another
without falling on the ground, this chain of disciplic succession
through which Bhāgavatam is transferred is unbroken. Similarly,
when we receive the message of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam via
disciplic succession we get it “as it is”.

Guru Parampara
 INVOCATION
56

Recieving Śrīmad Bhāgavatam in ISKCON

Kṛṣṇa, Brahmā, Nārada, Vyāsa

Śrīla Madhva Parampara Achārya
Padmanābha, Nṛhari, Mādhava
Akṣobhya, Jaya Tīrtha, Jñānasindhu
Dayānidhi, Vidyānidhi, Rājendra
Jayadharma, Puruṣottama
Brahmaṇya Tīrtha, Vyāsa Tīrtha
Lakṣmīpati, Mādhavendra Purī
Īśvara Purī, Prabhu Nityānanda, Śrīla Advaita Achārya
Caitanya, Krishna Caitanya, Caitanya, Krishna Caitanya
Śri Rūpa, Svarūpa, Sanātana
Śri Raghunātha, Jīva, Kṛṣṇadāsa
Narottama, Viśvanātha, Baladeva, Jagannātha
Bhaktivinoda, Gaurakiśora
Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī
Abhay Caraṇāravinda Bhakti-Vedānta Svāmī
Śrīla Prabhupāda

The message is spoken

through the lips of Śrīla
Śukadeva Gosvāmī who is
compared to a parrot. (The
parrot touches the sweetest
fruit)
 INVOCATION
57

It is relishable not only because it has been delivered through

disciplic succession, but it has been touched by the lips of Śrīla
Śukadeva Gosvāmī who is compared to a parrot.

Have you seen fruits like guava and mangos tasted by the parrots
and other birds? These birds can identify the tastiest fruit. And if we
taste these fruits which are tasted by these birds, we can see that the
fruits are sweeter. Likewise, When Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is touched
by Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī it has become more relishable.

Let us see how Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī delivered the message of

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.

ŚRĪLA ŚUKADEVA GOSVĀMĪ DELIVERS THE

MESSAGE "AS IT IS" IN A WAY THAT
WOULD APPEAL TO ALL.
Important point to note is that Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī delivered
the message of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam as he had heard from his
spiritual master and father Vyāsadeva. Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī does
not add his opinion while delivering the message. Whoever delivers
the message of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam must follow the path of Śrīla
Śukadeva Gosvāmī.
 INVOCATION
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THERE IS NOTHING IN ŚRĪMAD

BHĀGAVATAM THAT CAN BE REJECTED.
When we make any fruit juice, say for example, mango juice, we
throw the skin and seed of the mango and take only juice. But in the
case of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam there is nothing to be rejected. It is
“rasamalayam”. It is a complete literature. We cannot neglect
anything. Everything can be taken for our Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

EVERYTHING CAN BE ACHIEVED BY

STUDYING ŚRĪMAD BHĀGAVATAM.
We can achieve everything by studying Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.
Knowledge, happiness.....love of Godhead.

It is non different from Kṛṣṇa.

Whatever result one would have received through the personal
association of the Lord can be received by the sincere study of
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. It is Kṛṣṇa’s literary incarnation.

One can achieve full pleasure of his heart’s desire. So,

hearing of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is very important.
We can get everything from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam as we have seen
that it is the ripened fruit of the Vedic desire tree. If we receive
everything according to our desires, we will be automatically happy.
So, we must read Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.
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HOW ŚRĪMAD BHĀGAVATAM SHOULD BE

HEARD?
In the chain of disciplic succession from representatives
of Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī.
We have seen the importance of disciplic succession before. When
we receive the messages about the Lord through the disciplic
succession the understanding will be perfect. On the other hand, if
we receive the message from a person who does not follow disciplic
succession it can mislead us.

One should hear Śrīmad Bhāgavatam submissively

The way of receiving the message of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is also
important. One should be very submissive. He should not have
challenging attitude. Submissive attitude helps one attain the mercy
of the spiritual master and one will be able to understand it
properly.

One should be sincere and serious

One should be sincere and also serious in his efforts to receive the
message of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. The Lord sees our sincerity.
 INVOCATION
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Let us see what we can achieve by hearing Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.

GOAL OF ŚRĪMAD BHĀGAVATAM?

(a) Knowing the ultimate source of everything
From the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam we will be able to understand that the
ultimate source of everything (material and spiritual) is Kṛṣṇa, the
Supreme Personality of Godhead.

(b) Our relationship with the ultimate source

We will be able to understand our relationship with the ultimate
source, and thereby we can understand our actual position.

(c) Do our duty to inspire human society based on the

above knowledge.
This will enable us to do our duty for the upliftment of the human
society, which will provide a peaceful environment.
 INVOCATION 61

ACTVITIY
CORNER
 INVOCATION
62

1. State whether True or false -

1. Vedas are like desire trees

True ( ) False ( )

2. Brahmā received Vedic knowledge from Nārada Muni.

True ( ) False ( )

3. Friendship is a secondary rasa.

True ( ) False ( )

4. Śukadeva Gosvāmī is compared to a parrot.

True ( ) False ( )

5. Vedas are rasamalam.

True ( ) False ( )

2. Complete the beautiful prayer to Śrīmad Bhāgavatam using

an appropriate word from the box.

Śukadeva Gosvāmī, Desire tree, Rasamalayam, Kṛṣṇa, Disciplic

a. O’ Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, you are the ripened fruit of the

____________________ of the Vedas.

b. You are non-different from ___________________.

c. __________________ delivered your message “as it is”.

d. You are __________________.

e, You are available through __________________ succession on earth.

I bow down to you.
 INVOCATION
63

3. List 5 primary and any 5 secondary rasas.

 INVOCATION
64

4. Name the four Vedas.

1. _________________________

2. _________________________

3. _________________________

4. _________________________

5. Match the following

Śukadeva Store house of

Gosvāmī all rasas

Means
Śrīmad
Knowledge
Bhāgavatam
Son of
Kṛṣṇa Vyāsadeva

Ripened fruit of
Veda Vedic desire tree

6. Unscramble the following -

a. ahagvtmaba ____________________

b. sdaveyaa ____________________

c. esedietere ____________________

d. mavdaesa ____________________
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7. Why Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is called ripened fruit of the Vedic

desire tree?

8. Why is it important to receive the message of Śrīmad

Bhāgavatam through the disciplic succession?
 INVOCATION
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9. Imagine, one day you wake up to see a desire tree outside

your house. What wish would you like to ask from the desire
tree? Draw images depicting your wishes and color it.

10. 1.Tick the box which shows the right attitude to receive
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.

Lazy Sincere Eager

No interest Serious
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11. Draw a flow chart depicting the last ten starting from
the order in which Śrīmad Bhāgavatam was received.