Transcript pdp-1-2-canto-sum

Pada-padma
The Lotus Feet of Krishna
Srimad Bhagavatam
Cantos One and Two
Summary of First Two Cantos
CANTO I
We divide the First Canto
Preface
Introduction
into four major parts
1
Suta to the Sages
2
3
4
Narada to Vyasa
5
6
7
8
9
10
Disappearance of Sri Krsna
11
And His associates
12
13
14
15
16
17
Appearance of Srimad Bhagavatam
18
19
CANTO I
Preface
The Preface to Srimad Bhagavatam,
although just two pages, is a very
concentrated document. You can study it in
great detail with great profit and utility.
Since the Srimad Bhagavatam was Srila
Prabhupada’s life’s work its Preface is also a
preface to his life and institutions such as
ISKCON.
CANTO I
Introduction
The Introduction to the Srimad
Bhagavatam is primarily a 35-page
biography of the life of Lord
Caitanya, the ideal preacher of Srimad
Bhagavatam. Without His mercy it is
very difficult to understand the
Bhagavatam.
CANTO I
Canto One is a Preface to the entire Srimad
Bhagavatam. In a Preface we find:
1) Purpose of the book,
2) Qualifications of the Speaker,
3) Qualifications of the Listener and
4) Circumstances under which the book was
produced.
CANTO I
Who is the principal Speaker of the Bhagavatam?
Sukadeva Goswami.
Who is the principal listener?
Maharaja Pariksit.
Under what circumstances was it produced?
Arrival of the era of Kali.
What is the purpose of Srimad Bhagavatam?
Give shelter in Kali-yuga.
CANTO I
Preface
Introduction
1
2
3
Chapters One to Three are questions by
the Sages of Naimisaranya. They ask
Suta Goswami and he answers.
CANTO I
Preface
Introduction
1
2
3
4
5
6
Chapters Four to Six are the meeting
of Vyasadeva and Narada Muni.
Vyasadeva was unhappy even after
compiling all the Vedas, but Narada
instructed him to compile Srimad
Bhagavatam and that would satisfy his
hankerings.
CANTO I
Preface
Introduction
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Chapters Seven to Fifteen are the
disappearance of Krsna and His
associates and the Appearance of
Srimad Bhagavatam and Its
associates.
Krsna’s mission of incarnation was
finished with the battle of Kuruksetra.
So He enjoyed pastimes for several
years and then He and His associates
disappeared: Disappearance of the
Pandavas, disappearance of
Dhrtarastra, Bhismadeva, Kuntidevi
and - Appearance of Maharaja
Pariksit.
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Immediately
after Kuruksetra
Battle.
Birth of Pariksit and
travel to Dvaraka.
Many years later.
Chapters 7-15, Disappearance
of Krsna and Appearance of
Srimad Bhagavatam, can also
be divided into three more
sections.
This gives us maybe six natural
study modules in the First
Canto
CANTO I
Preface
Introduction
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Chapters Sixteen to Nineteen are the
meeting of Maharaja Parikshit, the
personality of Kali and Sukadeva
Goswami. This sets the scene for the
birth of Srimad Bhagavatam
CANTO I
Preface
Introduction
1
Suta to the Sages
2
3
4
Narada to Vyasa
5
6
7
8
9
10
Disappearance of Sri Krsna
11
And His associates
12
13
14
15
16
17
Appearance of Srimad Bhagavatam
18
19
In Summary
The Cosmos
CANTO II
We divide the Second Canto
into three parts
1
2
3
Sukadeva to Pariksit
4
5
6
7
Brahma to Narada
8
9
10
Visnu to Brahma
CANTO II
1
2
3
In the Second Canto Sukadeva Goswami
starts his instructions to Maharaja
Pariksit: Om Namo bhagavate
vasudevaya.
In three chapters he explains:
1) Pantheism (brahman)
2) Mysticism (paramatma )
3) Mono-theism (bhagavan)
The complete science of God.
CANTO II
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
After hearing the complete
science of God, Maharaja
Prakshit was very satisfied, but he
wanted to hear more, especially
how God creates, maintains and
anhilates this material world.
Sukadeva Goswami agrees, and
after offering preliminary prayers
in Chapter Four, in Chapters Five
through Seven he explains how
Brahma first spoke Srimad
Bhagavatam to Narada Muni.
CANTO II
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
After hearing the Bhagavatam that
Brahma spoke to Narada, Maharaja,
Pariksit is even more enlivened so he
asks to hear even more.
Sukadeva Goswami then explains the
original Srimad Bhagavatam as Visnu
spoke it to Lord Brahma.
The Canto ends with the Sages
asking about the meeting of Vidura
and Maitreya.
CANTO II
1
2
3
Sukadeva to Pariksit
4
5
6
7
Brahma to Narada
8
9
10
Visnu to Brahma
In Summary
Did you notice that Srimad Bhagavatam is presented five
times in the first two Cantos?
1) Visnu to Brahma.
2.8-10
2) Brahma to Narada.
2.5-7
3) Narada to Vyasa.
1.4-6
4) Vyasa to Sukadeva Goswami.
Doesn’t occur!
5) Sukadeva Goswami to Maharaja Pariksit (and Suta
Goswami)
2.1-3
6) Suta to the Sages of Naimisaranya.
1.1-3
Anjana Suta Academy
Hanumatpresaka Swami
304 Astor Way; Franklin, TN 37064; USA
www.JayaRama.US
PdP 1st & 2nd Cantos Summary
Rev. 1 August 2007