What do these books offer?

1. For those seeking spiritual insight, they offer simple and practical guidance for attainment of the highest self-knowledge.

2. To sociologists and anthropologists, they reveal the practical workings of a peaceful, prosperous and scientifically organized

culture.

3. Students of literature will discover them to be a masterpiece of majestic poetry.

4. For students of psychology, they provide important perspectives on the nature of consciousness, human behavior and the philosophical study of identity.

“It promises to occupy a significant place in the intellectual, cultural and spiritual life of modern man for a long time to come.”

- Srila Prabhupada

What are these books about?

Five thousand years ago, the great sages of the world gathered to discuss how to benefit the people of our time. They could foresee our situation: technologically brilliant but spiritually dull. “What will become of them, of this planet, without spiritual insight?” they worried.

The sages discuss a historical conversation between an advanced transcendentalist, Sukadeva Gosvami and the famous King Pariksit, who has been cursed to die in seven days. The king takes the opportunity to inquire from the sage about the purpose of life, and the 

Shrimad Bhagavatam shares their dialogue describing colorful accounts of spiritually wise men and women from many cultures and locations throughout the universe.

By reading Shrimad Bhagavatam we enter a world of genuine spiritual insight that heightens our perception, illuminates our vision, and offers us the advantages of applying this wisdom in our daily lives. Anyone who hears this epic discussion will find viable spiritual solutions to the myriad of modern society’s challenges.

As we journey with these sages, we not only examine the root of our current economic, social, political and environmental crises, but we explore the wisdom of an ancient time.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Shrimad Bhagavatam offers something for everyone. Because it’s so vast and comprehensive it’s not something you can simply summarize in a small booklet, but we’ve tried.

It explains many aspects of life, from karma to relationships, how to be a good leader and how to be mindful; how to better relate to people and how to understand more about yourself—the list goes on.

Below, you’ll see a few quotes we’ve taken from the Srimad Bhagavatam. These touch on reincarnation, time, being human, how to be peaceful, satisfaction, consciousness, the senses, happiness, illusion and the temporariness of nature. These will hopefully spark some thoughts and give you a small indication of what kinds of topics the Shrimad Bhagavatam explores.

THE FIRST QUESTION

WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE GOOD FOR PEOPLE IN GENERAL?

"Being blessed with many years, explain to us in an easily understandable way what you have ascertained to be the absolute and ultimate good for the people in general."

Canto 1 Chapter 1 Verse 9

THIS QUESTION WAS ASKED TO A WISE SAGE WHEN SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM WAS FIRST SPOKEN BY SEEKERS OF KNOWLEDGE WHOSE ONLY DESIRE WAS TO UPLIFT HUMAN SOCIETY.

HAPPINESS

HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE LASTING PEACE OF MIND AND HAPPINESS?

WHY DO WE ALWAYS TRY CHANGING THINGS - OUR JOB, OUR PARTNER, OUR LOCATION - IN ORDER TO BECOME HAPPY?

IS HAPPINESS OR DISTRESS PRE-DETERMINED?

CAN HAPPINESS AND DISTRESS BE ACHIEVED OR AVOIDED BY PERSONAL ENDEAVOUR?

"Just as a deer, because of ignorance, cannot see the water within a well covered by grass, but runs after water elsewhere, the living beings covered by the material body do not see the happiness within themselves, but run after happiness in the material world."

Canto 7 Chapter 13 Verse 29

"My dear friends born of corrupt families, the happiness perceived with reference to the sense objects by contact with the body can be obtained in any form of life, according to one’s past fruitive activity. Such happiness is automatically obtained without endeavour, just as we obtain distress."

Canto 7 Chapter 6 Text 3

PEACE

WHAT IS THE PUREST FORM OF HAPPINESS?

IN AN INDIVIDUALISTIC WORLD, HOW CAN SELFLESSNESS BE BENEFICIAL?

WHAT IS THE KEY TO ACHIEVING WORLD PEACE?

"May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified. May all living beings become calm by practicing bhakti-yoga, for by accepting devotional service they will think of each other’s welfare. Therefore let us all engage in the service of the supreme, Krishna, and always remain absorbed in thought of Him."

Canto 5 Chapter 18 Verse 9

REINCARNATION

OUR BODY’S CELLS ARE CONSTANTLY DYING AND BEING REPLACED, SO WHAT OF US REMAINS THE SAME?

WHAT IS THE CONSTANT THAT CARRIES US FROM BIRTH UNTIL DEATH?

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DREAM AND REALITY?

WHY DO WE THINK OF OURSELVES AS A PARTICULAR NATIONALITY, RACE, OR ETHNICITY?

"When the living entity passes from the present body to the next body, which is created by his own karma, he becomes absorbed in the pleasurable and painful sensations of the new body and completely forgets the experience of the previous body. This total forgetfulness of one’s previous material identity, which comes about for one reason or another, is called death."

Canto 11 Chapter 22 Verse 39

"What is called birth is simply a person's total identification with a new body. One accepts the new body just as one completely accepts the experience of a dream or a fantasy as reality."

Canto 11 chapter 22 verse 40

HUMAN LIFE

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE?

WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE?

CAN A SIMPLE, SPIRITUAL LIFE REALLY MAKE ME HAPPY?

"Life s desires should never be directed toward sense gratification. One should desire only a healthy life, or self-preservation, since a human being is meant for inquiry about the Absolute Truth. Nothing else should be the goal of one's works."

Canto 1 Chapter 2 Verse 10

SATISFACTION

WHAT DETERMINES OUR HAPPINESS IN THIS LIFE?

HOW DO WE STOP THE URGES THAT PROMPT US TO CONSUME MORE AND MORE?

"A person should be satisfied with whatever he achieves by his previous destiny, for discontent can never bring happiness. A person who is not self-controlled will not be happy even with possessing the three worlds.

If happiness is the ultimate goal of life, one must be satisfied with the position in which he is placed by providence."

Canto 8 Chapter 19 Text 24

CONSCIOUSNESS

IS DESIRE A NATURAL PART OF THE LIVING BEING?

DO THE DESIRES OF THE BODY AND MIND EVER END?

CAN WE FIND LASTING SATISFACTION IN FULFILLING THE DESIRES OF THE SENSES?

"When a person’s mind and senses are attached to sense objects for enjoyment, the mind becomes agitated. As a result of always thinking of sense objects, one’s real consciousness is almost lost, like the water in a lake that is gradually sucked up by the big grass straws on its bank."

Canto 4 Chapter 22 Text 30

UNCONTROLLED SENSES

WHO IS IN CONTROL, OUR SENSES OR OURSELVES?

HOW OFTEN, IN OUR PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, DO WE SEEK TO PLEASE SOMETHING OTHER THAN OUR SENSES?

"Even the entirety of whatever there may be within the three worlds to satisfy one’s senses cannot satisfy a person whose senses are uncontrolled.

The material world is an illusory energy to deviate the living beings from the path of self-realization. Anyone who is in this material world is extremely anxious to get more and more things for sense gratification. Actually, the real purpose of life is not sense gratification but self-realization."

Canto 8 Chapter 19 Text 21

ILLUSION

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT HUMAN LIFE COMPARED TO ANIMAL LIFE?

IS THE PLEASURE AN ANIMAL EXPERIENCES THE SAME TYPE OF PLEASURE WE EXPERIENCE AS HUMAN BEINGS?

"The living being, in whatever species of life he appears, finds a particular type of satisfaction in that species, and he is never averse to being situated in such a condition."

Canto 3 Chapter 30 Text 4

TEMPORALITY

WHY DO WE PURSUE THINGS WE ALREADY KNOW WILL END?

WHAT REMAINS PERMANENT IN A WORLD OF IMPERMANENCE?

"The misguided materialist does not know that his very body is impermanent and that the attractions of home, land and wealth, which are in relationship to that body, are also temporary. Out of ignorance only, he thinks that everything is permanent."

Canto 3 Chapter 30 Verse 3

TIME

IF THE FORCE OF TIME IS INEVITABLY CHANGING THINGS AROUND US, HOW CAN WE USE TIME TO OUR ADVANTAGE IN THIS LIFE?

WHO IS THE CONSCIOUS ‘ME’ THAT PERCEIVES THE CHANGES OF TIME BUT REMAINS UNCHANGED?

"Material bodies are constantly undergoing creation and destruction by the force of time, whose swiftness is imperceptible. But because of the subtle nature of time, no one sees this."

Canto 11 Chapter 22 Verse 42

CANTO SUMMARIES

CANTO 1

Canto one depicts the circumstances in which the emperor of the world, Pariksit, is cursed to die. Upon receiving news of his impending death, the emperor relinquishes his kingdom and travels to the bank of the river Ganges, determined to fast until his death. Great sages and yogis from all over the universe come to visit him. Taking advantage of their presence, he asks them six questions about what is the most important thing to do when a person is about to die. These six questions  form the basis of the entire Bhagavatam. In the first canto, the topics of the Bhagavatam are introduced, the Absolute Truth is defined and the principles of creation are described.

CANTO 2

The second canto describes the post-creation cosmic manifestation. It explains the process of creation, the different planetary systems of the universe, and the ultimate controller behind this universal, phenomenal manifestation. There are ten chapters in this canto, and in these ten chapters the purpose of Shrimad Bhagavatam is narrated. The second canto also introduces the spiritual reality beyond this vast material universe.

CANTO 3

This canto provides an analytical understanding of the constituents of the material world culminating in a detailed explanation of the difference between matter and spirit. The third canto also explains the dynamics of male-female relationships and how the living beings get entangled in the cycle of repeated birth and death. We also learn that bhakti-yoga, the highest rung on the yoga ladder, is both the means to liberation and the eternal activity of liberated souls.

CANTO 4

The highlight of the fourth canto is a profound allegory describing the existential situation of the living being in the material universe. The allegory is delivered by Narada Muni, the revered cosmic sage of the Vedic tradition. He presents a sophisticated model of who we are: a particle of pure consciousness covered over by gross and subtle layers of matter. He also describes the process of dissolving our material coverings and regaining our original spiritual form.

CANTO 5

The fifth canto follows a highly elevated bhakti-yogi named Jada Bharata through the course of three lives; first a king, then a deer and then a liberated saint. Through his journey, the Bhagavatam teaches about the subtleties of karma and the process of reincarnation. The fifth canto also gives a detailed account of the structure of our universe, as well as a description of the different kinds of living beings who inhabit different planetary systems.

CANTO 6

In the sixth canto we come across Ajamila, a pious, spiritually-minded intellectual who in the association of a prostitute turned into a rogue. Despite performing heinous criminal activities throughout his life, Ajamila was saved from the karmic consequences of his actions. This canto describes how and why Ajamila was saved. Through this description we learn about the inconceivable potency of spiritual sound vibrations and the process to become liberated from desires to control and enjoy matter.

CANTO 7

In the seventh canto we encounter the famous boy-sage Prahlada. A supremely adept bhakti-yogi, Prahlada gives unsurpassable insights into the futility of trying to improve one’s material situation. After having thoroughly negated the value of all materialistic goals, Prahlada then offers the positive alternative: one should utilize every moment of one’s life for spiritual advancement. In this canto we also find detailed instructions on how civilized human beings should lead their lives. This includes a systematic description of efficient social organization, the duties of laborers, businessmen, kings and intellectuals, and the regulative principles of the four spiritual orders of life.

CANTO 8

The eighth canto describes intergalactic battles fought between pious celestial beings and their eternal foes: corrupt, selfish and extremely powerful beings known as asuras. We learn more about higher planetary systems and the principles governing universal management. This canto also describes the unique activities of Vamanadeva, an incarnation of the Absolute Truth who came to teach that without contentment one cannot be happy even if one possesses the entire universe.

CANTO 9

This canto describes great kings and yogis who faces different challenges in their quest for liberation. For example, there is the yogi Durvasa, who for egotistical reasons, tries to use his formidable yogic power to kill the exalted king Ambarisha, an exemplary bhakti-yogi. Through these narrations, we learn that yoga is a technology that can be used to progress towards enlightenment or it can be misused for selfish purposes to dominate and exploit others. The ninth canto also briefly describes the appearance and activities of Rama, another famous incarnation of the Absolute Truth.

CANTO 10

This canto introduces us to the pinnacle of Vedic wisdom: the inconceivable Supreme Person, Krishna. We learn about Krishna’s form which is eternal, full of bliss and knowledge. This canto also describes how Krishna includes everything, how Krishna is the ultimate source of all there is, both material and spiritual, and how all energies emanate from Krishna. Finally, this canto gives elaborate accounts of Krishna’s inimitably attractive and enigmatic activities when he appeared on Earth and played like a human being.

CANTO 11

This canto is famous for containing the Uddhava Gita, a conversation between Krishna and his dear disciple and devotee, Uddhava. Considered the crest jewel of philosophical wisdom, this conversation answers the greatest questions in existence. Topics include: the purpose behind the universe, the nature of karma, renunciation, the different yogic paths, the nature of consciousness, the three influences that affect all interactions between matter and consciousness, the process of creation and a scrupulous analysis of material nature.

CANTO 12

In this canto, we witness the great emperor Pariksit relinquishing his mortal coil and going back to the spiritual realm. We hear Sukadeva Goswami, Pariksit’s spiritual master, offer his final instructions to the cursed king. Through the king, Sukadeva instructs us all that the actual self, the soul, is distinct from the material body and mind it observes. He reminds us that the unborn and immortal soul is intimately related to the Supreme Soul, the source and sustainer of all of existence. The true goal of yoga is to enable us to revive our eternal loving relationship with the Supreme Soul. This canto also provides a glimpse into the conditions of Kali-yuga, the present era of earthly history, an era characterized by a predominance of cheating, hypocrisy, greed, sloth, violence, depression, lamentation, bewilderment, fear, poverty and ignorance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada is a monk, scholar, visionary, activist and exemplary yogi who is especially respected as the world’s most prominent authority on bhakti-yoga, the yoga of love and devotion. He founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1966 and pioneered a cultural movement aimed at transforming the world through genuine spiritual knowledge and experience. His intention was to create a global community that embodies higher ideals and transcends material distinctions.

Srila Prabhupada left this world in 1977, and undoubtedly his most significant contribution has been his books. Imbued with uncompromising logic and the deepest wisdom, his books present the essence of the ancient Vedic tradition of India. They have inspired millions of seekers, activists and scholars all over the world and are indispensable resources in the quest for enlightenment, and for those seeking a more conscious lifestyle.