The Story of Bhagavatam

Towards the end of Dwapara Yuga which is third among the four Yugas (Krita, Treta, Dwavapara and kali) was born Sage Vyasa as the son of Parashara by Satyavathi, the daughter of a fisherman Vasu.

Vyasa sitting on the banks of River Saraswati had a deep insight into the past present and future. He perceived a great transformation being brought about by imperceptible flight Time, in the value systems of human beings. Seeing the fast decline of the man's health and strength as also his loss of faith, resolution, intelligence and longevity, the sage thought of securing the future good of men of all classes and orders.

Accordingly he reorganized the single undivided Veda of those times to four Vedas namely Rig-Veda, Yajur-veda, Sama Veda and Adharvan Veda. He passed on the four Vedas to Rishis Paila, Vaissampayana, Jamini, and Sumantu respectively. Romaharshana was entrusted the study of Puranas and Itihasas. For the benefit of those who are barred from Vedic rites Vyasa composed Mahabaharata too.

Even though he has dedicated himself for the welfare of people, even after completing Mahabharata, sage Vyasa experienced a great deal of dissatisfaction. So while he was contemplating with dissatisfaction in this mood, Sage Narada appeared.

Then sage Vyasa asked Narada. “ I have devoted myself to all vows and in absolute sincerity I have devoted myself to Vedic study, service of teachers, and adoration of Vedic Fires. In the guise of Mahabharata I have made available to people barred from Vedic rites the knowledge of the four fold meaning of life namely Dharma Artha, Kama and Moksha . Still I fail to feel the enrichment and joy of spirit. Is it that I have not given adequate exposition to the laws of divine life?" He tells Narada “ You travel all over the world like sun and he can get into the hearts of every body and be witness to all their thoughts. So deign to look into to state of my mind find out what my sin of omission is”

Thus implored Narada told him that “ Oh High souled one – you have not adequately described the unsullied glory of the Supreme Lord. I consider as in adequate, all those philosophies which fail to please the Lord because of lack of devotional exuberance .You have not described the greatness of Vasudeva with the exhaustiveness with which you have treated the Vedic rites and four fold end of human life namely Dharma Artha Kama Moksha ! ”

Narada then elaborated the supremacy of Bhakti to Sage Vyasa..

After the departure of Narada Sage Vyasa chose a spot on the western Banks of the river Saraswati. There is a specially sacred spot called Samyaprasa, which is most suited for Spiritual retreats. Sitting in his Ashram at that spot the Sage Vyasa entered into a Samadhi after observing all the rites. He realized that panacea for all the sufferings caused by Avidya (ignorance) is devotion to Lord. That illumined sage therefore composed the Bhagavata Purana for the benefit of the man, to teach him that Bhakti is the one means by which the spiritual glory of Jiva can be restored. Even by starting to study this spiritual Glory, the mind of man develops Bhakti.

That is the origin of Bhagavata.

To start with, it is about the glory of Vasudeva,

The Story of Vasudeva is completely told in Dasama Skandha.

That is how Dasama Skandha attained its importance.

Om Tat Sat !!

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