Shrimad Bhagavata Puranam

Dr. Ramamurthy N

19th September 2020

 ॐ श्री गुरुभ्यो नम: ।
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णु: गुरुर्देवो महेश्वर: । गुरु साक्षात् परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नम: ॥
गुरुवे सर्वलोकानां भिषजे भवरोगिनां । निधये सर्व विद्यानां दक्षिणा मूर्तये नम: ॥
गजाननं भूतगणादि सेवितं कपित्थजम्बूफलसार भक्षितम ् ।
उमासतु ं शोकविनाशकारणं नमामि विघ्नेश्वर पादपङ्कजम ् ॥
व्यासं वसिष्ठ नप्तारं शक्ते; पौत्रमकल्मषम् । पराशरात्मजं वन्दे शुकतातं तपोनिधिम् ॥ 
मूकं करोति वाचालं पङ्गुं लङ्घयते गिरिं । यत्कृपा तमह ं वन्दे परमानन्द माधवम ् ॥
Our humble pranams to all our Gurus.

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 Veda Vyasar

• Sri Veda Vyasa – 17th Incarnation of Vishnu

(1-3-21)
• 18 Maha-Puranas
• 18 Upa-Puranas
• Mahaabhaaratam – Itihaasam – fifth Vedam –
1 lakh shlokas equal to Skanda Puranam
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 Bhagavata Puranam
• Shrimad Vishnu Bhagavatam lists 18 Maha-
Puranas in 12-7-23 & 24.
• Again number of shlokas in each Maha-
Purana is mentioned Shrimad Vishnu
Bhagavatam 12-13-4 till 12-13-9.
• Sri Devi Bhagavatam lists 18 Maha-Puranas
and the number of verses in each Puranam in
1-3-2-12 to 1-3-2-18.

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 Bhagavata Puranam…
• Further Sri Devi Bhagavatam lists 18 Upa-
Puranas 1-3-2-13 to 1-3-2-16.

• Both in the lists of Maha-purana and Upa-

purana a name Bhagavatam is found with
18,000 verses.

• One is Sri Vishnu Bhagavatam and the other

one is Sri Devi Bhagavatam.

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Virat forms

7
 Vishnu to Brahma
Chatushloki Bhagavatam
2-9-32 to 2-9-35

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 Origin of the Bhagavatam
• Brahma, frightened by material existence,
sitting on the lotus flower from Vishnu's
navel.
• Vishnu first revealed the Shrimad-
Bhagavatam to Brahma.
• Brahma then told to sage Narada
(12.13.19)
• Narada narrated it to Vyasa
• Vyasa revealed to sage, Shukar and
• Shukar mercifully told it to Parikshit
Maharaja .
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Origin of Bhagavatam…
Vishnu

Brahma

Narada

Vyasa

Shukar
Parikshi
t
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 Shiva, Vishnu & Shakti
• We have origin of almost every God/ Devata in Puranas. For some there is end also.
• But for Shiva, Narayana and Shakti no origin is quoted anywhere – Anaadhi. They
together in the niroopa/ nirguna form is Brahmam. Brahmam Eka

• Shankara-Narayanar – left half of the Shiva is Narayanar

• Arddhanaareeshwarar – left half of the Shiva is Sri Devi

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As per Brahadaranyaka Upanishat &
Bhagavatam

Adhi Moolam -
Parabrahmam

Shiva + Shakti
+ Vishnu

ॐ Om

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 confirmed by Bhagavatam…
ॐ Om

Trimoortis
Rishis
Five Elements 4 Vedas

Kaladeeshvara

9 Planets Munis
12 Rashis

30 Stars

Living Beings
Siddhas
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What, why, how….
What This Shrimad-Bhagavatam
is the literary incarnation
of God.
When At the onset of Kali Yuga,
calculated to have
occurred around 3100
B.C.E.
Where At the banks of river Ganga

Who It is written by Sage Veda

Vyasa.
Whom Bhagavatam is for Spiritual
Revolutionaries. Ultimately
for everyone.
Why To improve Bhakti in the
era of Kali
How Saptaaha Paraayanam

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 Bhagavata Puranam
• 12 skandhas – 335 chapters – 14,105 Shlokas

• Shrimad Bhagavata Maahaatmyam – part of Sri

Padma Puranam – 6 chapters – 504 Shlokas

• 6th chapter of the Maahaatmyam explains the

Saptaaha Paraayana Kramam.

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 Bhagavata Puranam
• Longest verse 5-1-33 - ~170 characters
• 5.23 smallest chapter with 9 verses
• 4.29 biggest chapter with 85 verses
• Smallest Skandam 2 with 10 chapters
and 391 verses
• Biggest Skandam 10 with 90 chapters
and 3,945 verses
• Maahaatmyam 6th chapter 103 verses

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Bhagavata Puranam
Skandham # # of chapters # of verses
Maahaatmyam 6 504
1  19 820
2  10 391
3  33 1,402
4  31 1,440
5  26 678
6  19 851
7  15 750
8  24 931
9  24 964
10  90 3,945
11  31 1,367
12  13 566
Total 341 14,609

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Bhagavata Parayanam

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Bhagavata Saptaaha Kramam
# of # of
Day Details chapters Verses From To

Bhagavata
0 6 504 1.1 6.103 (end)
Mahaatmeeyam
1 Bhagavatam 51 2,112 1.1 3.22
2 Bhagavatam 56 2.293 3.23 5.14

3 Bhagavatam 46 1,927 5.15 7.15

4 Bhagavatam 51 2,059 8.1 10.3

5 Bhagavatam 51 2,131 10.4 10.54
6 Bhagavatam 48 2,170 10.55 11.12
7 Bhagavatam 32 1,413 11.13 12.13 (end)
Total 341 14,609    

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 Bhagavata Neivedhyams
Day Verse # Content Neivedyam
Day 0   · End · Kesari
Day 1 · Varaaha Avataaram · Kadalai Urundai
· 3.13 
  · End · Kadamba Saadam
· 3.33 · Kabila Vaasudevar · Aval Kesari
Day 2 · 4.15 · Brudu Caritram · Badaam Milk
  · 5.04 · Rishaba Devar · Kumkuma Poo Milk
· End · Curd Rice
Day 3 · 7.08 · Narasimha Avataram · Paanakam
    · End · Lemon Rice
· 8.08 · Lakshmi Kalyanam · Sakkarai Pongal, Laddu
• 8.18 • Vaamana Avataaram Paruppu Tengai
• 8.24 • Matsya Avataaram • Terratti Pal
• 9.04 • Ambareesha Upaakyanam • Mysore Pak
Day 4 • 9.10 • Raamaavataaram • Morekuzhambu Rice
  • 9.16 • Parasuraama Avataaram • Neer More, Vadaparuppu
• 10.04 • Krishnaavataaram (end) • Paanakam
• Kalkandu bath, Vadai
Paayasam, Seedai, Murukku,
Kaaparisi, Butter, Aval,
Various fruits

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 Bhagavata Neivedhyams…
Day Verse # Content Neivedyam
· 10.08 · Navaneetha Leelai · Butter
• 10.09 • Daamodara Leelai • Kumkumapoo Milk
• 10.13 • Vana Bojanam • Curd Rice, Vadaam
• 10.25 • Govardhana Giri • Puliodarai, Coconut Rice,
Day 5 • • Raasakreedai
10.33 Lemon Rice, Sakkari
  • 10.44 • Kamsa Vadam Pongal, Curd Vadai
• 10.54 • Rukmani Kalyanam (End) • Kesari
• Paanakam
• Manohara Paruppu
Tengai, Sweet, Akkaara
Vadasal, Paruppu Vadai
· 10.58 · Mahishi Kalyanam · Any sweet
Day 6 • 10.81 • Kuchela Upaakyaanam • Aval Jaagery
  • End • Coconut Rice

Day 7 • End Puliodarai

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Entire Bhagavatam in one Picture

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12 Skandhams

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 Maahaatmyam
• From Sri Padma Puranam – 6 chapters – 504
Shlokas
• Glory of Bhagavatam
• Bhakti, Gnanam and Vairagyam - unconscious
• Sri Krishna himself in search of Shyamantaka
Mani and Nandagopa chanting Saptaaham
• Story of Gokarna and his brother
• 6th chapter - Saptaaha Paraayana Kramam.

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 Skandam 1
• 19 chapters – 820 Shlokas
• Invocation to Krishna
• Assertion that Bhagavatam is sufficient alone to
realise God.
• Onset of Kali Yuga
• Birth of Parikshit
• Narada narrating Bhagavatam to Vyasa
• Inspiration of Vyasa on the western bank of the
river Sarasvati
• ….. 31
 Skandam 1…
• Vyasa teaching Bhagavata to Shukar
• Departure of Krishna - onset of Kali Yuga
• Retirement of the Pandavas and enthronement
of Parikshit
• Attempts of Parikshit to stem the influence of
Kali
• Parikshit being cursed to die within seven days
• Renunciation of Parikshit - Prayopavesa - banks
of the Ganges - devotion to Krishna
• Arrival of sages Narada, Bhrugu, Shukhar and all 32
 Skandam 2
• 10 chapters – 391 Shlokas – smallest
• A dialogue – Shukar and Parikshit (group of
sages headed by Saunaka in the forest of
Naimisaranya).
• Transcendental, supreme, eternal and pure
nature of Krishna
• Universal Virat-Roopa and Maha-Vishva forms of
Krishna
• Avatars with purposes
• ……
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 Skandam 2…
• Avatars with purposes
• Process and laws of creation and annihilation of
the universe
• God realisation, Bhakti Yoga, devotional duties
and the need for a Guru
• Vedic knowledge, modes of material nature
(gunas), karma, false (materialistic) ego
• Illusion and suffering due to ignorance
• Divisions (caste or varna) of society, common
religious affiliations and faith vs. atheism
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 Skandam 3
• 33 chapters – 1,402 Shlokas
• Vidhura - incarnation of Yama & devotee of
Krishna - the main protagonist narrated.
• Remembrance, pastimes, qualities and kingdom
(Vaikuntha) of Krishna
• Universal - Virat-Rupa - form of Vishnu - with
Kali, explicitly stated
• Emergence of Brahma from Vishnu;
• ….
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 Skandam 3….
• Brahma's prayers to Krishna, creation and
manifestation of Vedas
• Curse of the Four Kumaras on Jaya and Vijaya and
their consequent incarnations as demons
Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu
• Varaha avatar to lift the Earth out of the Cosmic
Ocean and destroy Hiranyaksha
• Kapila avatar to expound Sankhya philosophy and
Bhakti Yoga
• Principles of material nature, divisions of creation
and calculation of time
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 Skandam 4
• 31 chapters – 1,440 Shlokas
• Dialogue - Shukhar, Uddhava and Maitreya.
• Genealogies of the daughters of Svayambhuva
Manu and of Dhruva (grandson of Svayambhuva
Manu)
• Enmity between Daksha and Shiva, self-immolation
of Sati and attack by Shiva on Daksha's ritual
• Liberation of the boy-sage Dhruva, advice from
Narada, vision of Vishnu and battles with the
Yakshas
• …. 37
 Skandam 4…
• Killing of the tyrant-king Vena by Brahmins
• Pruthu avatar to restore abundance of the Earth
• Allegorical story, descriptions and characteristics
of King Puranjana - reborn as a woman
• Activities of the Pracetas, including meeting with
Shiva, instruction from Narada and ultimate
liberation
• Qualities of Krishna, Vaishnava devotion (Bhakti
Yoga) the soul (Atma), the super-soul
(Paramatma) and materialistic life
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 Skandam 5
• 26 chapters – 678 Shlokas
• Dialogue between the avatar Rsabha and his
sons
• Between Bharata and King Rahugana
• Appearance, life and teachings of the publicly-
abused avatar Rsabha, the first Tirthankara
(spiritual teacher) of Jainism
• Appearance of Hayagriva to return Vedic
knowledge to Brahma
• ….
39
 Skandam 5…
• Activities, character, teachings and liberation of King
Bharata (incarnated as a deer and then a supposed
idiot-Brahmin)
• Activities and descendants of King Priyavrata, whose
chariot wheels created the seven oceans and islands
(continents)
• Descriptions of the universe, Sun, orbits of the
planets and the heavenly and hellish planets
• Flow of the Ganges and expansion of Narayana as
Vasudeva (Krishna), Sankarshana, Pradyumna and
Aniruddha
• Glories of Ananta/ Sankarshana/ Shesha/ Tamasi 40
 Skandam 6
• 19 chapters – 851 Shlokas
• Dialogue between Yama and his messengers
(called the Yamadhootas).
• Battles - demon-devotee Vrutrasura and Indra
and King Chitraketu
• Life of Ajamila
• Instructions of Yama to his messengers about
justice, punishment, chanting, Vishnu's
messengers and Bhakti to Krishna
• ….
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 Skandam 6…
• Curse of Daksha on Narada and a genealogy of the
daughters of Daksha
• Offence of Indra to Brihaspati, the appearance of
Vrutrasura to battle and Vrutrasura's death
• Story of King Chitrakethu
• Vow of Dhiti to kill Indra, her embryo cut into 49 pieces
by Indra but saved by Vishnu - Her purification through
devotion
• Performance of the Bhumsavana for pregnancy with
prayers to Vishnu and Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and
Fortune)
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 Skandam 7
• 15 chapters – 750 Shlokas
• Dialogue between Narada and Yudhishthira
about Prahlada.
• Vow of demon-King Hiranyakasipu to destroy
Vishnu, his austerities to become invincible and
conquering of the entire universe
• Narasimha avatar to destroy Hiranyakasipu, later
pacified by the prayers of Prahlada
• ….

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 Skandam 7…
• Perfect society in the form of the four social and
four spiritual classes or orders
• Behaviour of a good person, ideal family life and
instructions to be civilised
• Exposition that the absolute truth is a person -
Krishna - who is the master and controller of all
• Previous incarnations of Narada
• Krishna lived with the Pandavas like an ordinary
human being

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 Skandam 8
• 24 chapters – 931 Shlokas
• Details and ages of the four Manus
(Svayambhuva, Svarocisa, Uttama and Tamasa)
and of the future Manus
• Gajendra, rescued from Makara by Vishnu, after
prayers of surrender
• Battles between the Devas and the demons,
• Churning of the milky ocean by both factions
• ….
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 Skandam 8…
• Appearance of the Koorma, Dhanvantri, Mohini
and Lakshmi
• Second appearance of Mohini to beguile Shiva
• Annihilation of the demons by Indra
• Vamana avatar to take back the three worlds
from King Bali and the surrender of Bali
• Matsya avatar to save devotee-King Satyavrata
from the flood (during the time of Hiranyaksha in
the third Skandam)

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 Skandam 9
• 24 chapters – 964 Shlokas
• Rama avatar destroying Ravana (and
Kumbhakarna; incarnations of Jaya and Vijaya)
• Appearance of the Parashurama avatar to
repeatedly destroy the corrupt, Godless ruling
(Kshatriya) class
• Genealogy and downfall of Saubhari Muni due to
sex-desire (after seeing fish copulate) and his
liberation through performing austerities
• ….
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 Skandam 9…
• Story of King Yayaati, cursed to suffer old age; after
passing the curse to his son, he learned the futility of
sensual-pleasure and achieved liberation
• Story of King Puroorava, beguiled by the Apsara Urvasi,
until he sated his lusty desires with a ceremonial fire
• Genealogies of the sons of Svayambhuva Manu and of
the Kings Mandhaata, Amshuman, Yayaati, Bharata,
Ajamila, Puroo and Puroorava
• Genealogy of Krishna and brief descriptions of His
beauty and pastimes

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 Skandam 10
• 90 chapters – 3,945 Shlokas – the largest
• Lila (divine play) of the supreme and
transcendental Krishna avatar.
• Appearance and pastimes of Krishna
• Imprisonment of Krishna's parents (Vasudeva
Anakadundubhi and Devaki),
• Murder of His siblings
• Attempted murder of baby Krishna by King
Kamsa
• …. 49
 Skandam 10…
• Fostering of Krishna and Balarama by Nanda and
Yashoda (Gopas, a tribe of cowherds)
• Yashoda saw the universal form in boy-Krishna's
mouth
• Attempts on baby and boy-Krishna's life by
various demons, sent by Kamsa (Pootana,
Trunavarta, Aghasura, Pralamba, Kesi, etc.)
• Chastisement of Kalinga, swallowing of a forest
fire, lifting of Govardhana Hill, stealing of Gopis'
clothes and the Rasa dance
• …. 50
 Skandam 10…
• Defeat of numerous demonic foes (e.g. Kamsa,
Jarasandha, Kalayavana, Narakasura, Paundraka,
etc.) to diminish the burden of the Earth
• Marriages to over 16,000 wives (and children
with each), establishment of Dwaraka, return of
the Syamantaka Jewel and washing of Narada's
feet
• Defeat of Banasura and Shiva, daily activities,
blessing of Sudama, blessing of His devotees,
saving of Shiva from Vrukasura and summary of
glories 51
 Skandam 11
• 31 chapters – 1,367 Shlokas
• Dialogue between Narada and Vasudeva and
between Krishna and Uddhava, Swan avatar and
Brahma)
• Curse and destruction of the Yadu Dynasty
(through intoxicated in-fighting)
• Appearance of the Hamsa (swan) avatar to
answer the questions of the sons of Brahma
• ….

52
 Skandam 11…
• Discourse of Narada to Vasudeva about the
instruction of the “9 Yogendras” to King Nimi about
Bhakti on Krishna
• Final teachings of Krishna to Uddhava at Dwaraka
(Story of Dattareya narrating his 24 gurus to King
Yadu)
• Disappearance of Krishna after being shot in the
foot by the hunter, Jara
• Flood and destruction of Dwaraka

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 Skandam 12
• 13 chapters – 566 Shlokas
• Dialogue between Shukar and the group of sages
led by Saunaka, at the forest of Naimisaranya.
• Prophesies and signs of Kali Yuga
• Degradation of rulers as liars and plunderers and
the symptoms of the age of Kali (e.g. atheism,
political intrigue, low character of royals, etc.)
• Final instructions to and death of Parikshit
• Prayers of sage Markandeya to Nara-Narayana,
• …. 54
 Skandam 12
• Resistance to Manmatha sent by Indra to break
his vows and glorification by Shiva and Uma
• Four categories of universal annihilation
• Appearance of the Kalki avatar to destroy evil at
the end of Kali Yuga
• Description of the Maha and Upa Puranas
• Description of the Mahapurusha
• Summary and glories of the Shrimad
Bhagavatam
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Fruits/ Results

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 Bhakti –
Nava Lakshnas

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 Results
• Moksham – goal of human – Bhagavatam offers
• As Prahlada says in Bhagavatam (7.5.23) itself –
Navavidha Bhakti
Shravaranam Hearing
Keertanam Reading
Smraranam Thinking
Paada Sevanam Worshipping Lotus feet
Archanam Namavali
Vandanam Praying
Daasyam Submitting
Shakyam Friendship
Atma Nivedhanam Surrendering

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नमस्कार:

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