Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagwat Katha in english. Bhagavatam, Srimad Bhagwat Katha by Swami Mukundananda is a series presented by JKYog. Buy Srimad Bhagavatam or Bhagwat Katha DVD, visit: https://www.jkyog.org/product-category/video-dvds/ Listen to the Srimad Bhagavatam / Bhagwat Katha on youtube channel/playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnw6AeJEp1PZkXgGX5jTGpl80cBl00Fgk In all the Vedic scripture, the position accorded to the Srimad Bhagavatam Mahapuran or the Bhagwat Katha is exceptional. The Vedas are, of course, the highest authority. However, Srimad Bhagavatam Mahapuran is like the essence of the Vedic teachings, written by Ved Vyas himself. Knowledge of Vedas and Upanishads is presented in such a blissful manner, with all the Divine pastimes of God and His devotees, that listening to the Bhagwat Katha becomes an experience in itself. Not only does it illuminates our intellect with Divine wisdom, it also moves our heart and fills them with the nectar of Divine love. That is why it is said that this Srimad Bhagavatam or Bhagwat Katha has something that even the Vedas do not have. Shaunakadik asks Sutaji Maharaj, How did he get the Bhagavatam? Sutaji says, he got it from his Guru Shukadev, who got it from his Guru and father Ved Vyas. How did Ved Vyas got to write Bhagavatam? Ved Vyas compiled the Vedas. He also wrote the Mahabharat, 17 Puranas and the Vedant. Having written so much, Ved Vyas was still feeling dissatisfied. In this mode of discontent he sat on the banks of river Sarasvati and started thinking what is the matter. He says, "I am lifting my hands up and screaming, I have given so many instructions to human being in these scriptures, why is it that people's hearts are not getting influenced by it, is it because that I have not described pure Divine love?" He was contemplating over this when Narada Muni came. Ved Vyas shared his problem. Naradji says, "O Ved Vyas, you have written so much. But, you have not described the pure Bhaagavat Dharma. Now, write such a scripture which is beyond Dharma, Artha, Kaam, Moksha." After this Naradji relates his own tale and says that in his previous life he was son of a daasi (maid servant). She was a widow. It was her duty to clean the ashram and do other chores. During Chaturmaas (4 months of monsoon), some sages came to stay in the ashram. It is the tradition that during these four months of monsoon, sages halt at one place. In the meantime, they used to recite God's pastime, give discourses on spiritual topics, etc. Naradji as a child used to sit and hear them and get enchanted by it. Sages were also very happy with Naradji's attentiveness. So, they used to grace him with prasad and seva. He used to eat the remnant of the sage's food which was cleaning his heart. After the 4 months, the sages went away from the ashram while Naradji became more desirous of their association and God's pastimes. Meanwhile, a snake came and bit his mother and she died. After that Naradji took off from the ashram. He had only one desire and that was to meet God. In his quest he went to few holy places and had darshan of Lord Krishna. I was in a state of joy but all of a sudden the lord disappeared. Now, he started going to all holy places in search of Lord Krishna and perform all kinds of austerities. Decades went by but he did not achieve any success. Finally he reached a point when he was all despondent. At that moment there was an akashvani (voice from the sky). God said to him, "Narad! that darshan which you got was given out of special grace, you did not deserve it. It was just to ignite your desire to see the Lord. As yet you are not qualified for the darshan. Spend your life in austerity and then in next life, you will be ever united with me."

• published: 13 May 2015
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