Before reciting this Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is the very means of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, Narayana, unto Nara-Narayana Rsi, the supermost human being, unto mother Sarasvati, the goddess of learning, and unto Srila Vyasadeva, the author.

By regular attendance in classes on the Bhagavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.

oà namo bhagavate väsudeväya - O my Lord, Çré Kåñëa, son of Vasudeva, O all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. janmädy asya yato - He is the primeval cause of all causes of the creation, sustenance and destruction of the manifested universes. 'nvayäd itarataç cärtheñv abhijïaù - He is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations, svaräö - and He is independent because there is no other cause beyond Him. tene brahma hådä ya ädi-kavaye - It is He only who first imparted the Vedic knowledge unto the heart of Brahmäjé, the original living being.

muhyanti yat sürayaù tejo-väri-mådäà yathä - By Him even the great sages and demigods are placed into illusion, as one is bewildered by the illusory representations of water seen in fire, or land seen on water. vinimayo yatra tri-sargo 'måñä - Only because of Him do the material universes, temporarily manifested by the reactions of the three modes of nature, appear factual, although they are unreal. dhämnä svena sadä nirasta-kuhakaà - Lord Çré Kåñëa is eternally existent in the transcendental abode, which is forever free from the illusory representations of the material world. satyaà paraà dhémahi - I meditate upon Him, for He is the Absolute Truth.

dharmaù projjhita-kaitavo 'tra paramo - Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhägavata Puräëa propounds the highest truth, nirmatsaräëäà satäà vedyaà - which is understandable by those devotees who are fully pure in heart. västavam atra vastu çivadaà - The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. täpa-trayonmülanam - Such truth uproots the threefold miseries.

çrémad-bhägavate mahä-muni-kåte - This beautiful Bhägavatam, compiled by the great sage Vyäsadeva [in his maturity], is sufficient in itself for God realization. kià vä parair - What is the need of any other scripture? 'tra kåtibhiù çuçrüñubhis - As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhägavatam, by this culture of knowledge sadyo hådy avarudhyate tat-kñaëät - the Supreme Lord is established within his heart.

rasikä bhuvi bhävukäù - O expert and thoughtful men, pibata bhägavataà muhur - relish Çrémad-Bhägavatam, nigama-kalpa-taror galitaà phalaà - the mature fruit of the desire tree of Vedic literatures. çuka-mukhäd - It emanated from the lips of Çré Çukadeva Gosvämé. amåta-drava-saàyutam rasam älayaà - Therefore this fruit has become even more tasteful, although its nectarean juice was already relishable for all, including liberated souls.

4 - 5Setting the scene 6 - 8Sages glorify Suta Goswami First two questions by the Sages 4 - Saunaka & the sages assemble at Naimisaranya to perform 1000 yr sacrifice 5 - Sages made inquiries with great respect to Srila Suta Goswami 6 - free from vice, heard scriptures from proper sources and explained them 8 - submissive and gentle disciple 9 - 1Q. What is ultimate good of people in general? 10 - Men in Kali-yuga are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and disturbed Q. Please explain the essence of all scriptures for everyone’s satisfaction. 7 - well-versed in theistic and other philosophies

12 3Q. Why did Krsna appear in the womb of devaki? Increasing listener’s enthusiasm 17 4Q. Tell us about adventures the Lord performs in His incarnations (creation) Eager to hear Krsna katha 13 Eager to hear about Godhead and His incarnations 14 Even unconscious chanting of Holy Name liberates one 15 Pure devotees can purify one immediately & faster than ganges 18 5Q. Tell us about pastimes of the Lord in His multi-incarnations 19 One can relish hearing of His pastimes at every moment 20 Want to know specifically about pastimes of Krsna and Balarama

21 K ali has begun, we want to perform sacrifice by hearing Krsna katha 21 – 23 Adopting the Process of Self Realization 22 We accept you as captain of ship (scriptures) to cross over ocean of Kali 23 6Q. After Krsna’s departure where have religious principles taken shelter?

1)What is the ultimate good for people in general?(1.1.9) Answer: SB ) Which adventures does Lord perform in His incarnations (esp related to creation)?(1.1.17) Answer: ) What is the essence of all scriptures? (1.1.11) Answer: SB ) What are the activities of His incarnations? (1.1.18) Answer: 1.3 3) For what purpose did Lord Krishna appear? Answer: & 10 th Canto 6) To whom have religious principles gone for shelter after His departure? (1.1.23) Answer:

 Eagerness (12, 13)  Sincere (2,3,13)  Hearing from the right source (3)  Approaching with respect (5)  Submissive (2,3,5,13)  Hearing step-by-step (2, 3)

 No material motive (3)  Free from vice (6)  Goswami (6)  Spotless in character (6)  Well-versed in scriptures (6,7)  Submissive and gentle disciple (6, 8)  Stick to the path of predecessor acaryas (3,5,13)

 Way to counteract the iron age of Kali  Greatest sacrifice  An act of compassion  Need to prepare ourselves  Determination out of love “Knowing well that the age of Kali has already begun, we are assembled here in this holy place to hear at great length the transcendental message of Godhead and in this way perform sacrifice.” - SB

“O best of the great personalities, I am not at all afraid of material existence, for wherever I stay I am fully absorbed in thoughts of Your glories and activities. My concern is only for the fools and rascals who are making elaborate plans for material happiness and maintaining their families, societies and countries. I am simply concerned with love for them.” - SB All glories to Srila Prabhupada!