Srimad Bhagavata Mahatmyam 04 - The flavor of Srimad Bhagavata as described by The Emperor of Vedanta

Hari Om

My highest Salutations to Lord Narasimha, the destroyer of ignorance and in whose abode resides the Goddess of abundance. My repeated Salutations to him at whose service are Gods themselves at all time. Also, my scaled Salutations to all Gods that includes Hanuman, Sarasvati, Garuda, Sesha, Shiva, Narada, Dhruva, Prahalada who are always brimming with devotion and are never exhausted at the service of Lord. My utmost Salutations to Srimad Acharya and all the Gurus of the lineage through whom the nectar of Bhagavata Shastra has been flowing and seek the shelter of Guru Raghavendra at all times.

The flavor of Srimad Bhagavata as described by The Emperor of Vedanta

Once, the Sanakadi munis, i.e. Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana, and Sanatkumara, born out of the mind of God Brahma visited earth to Badri kshetra for satsanga or meet virtuous. Narada Rishi was also present in Badri and had just completed austerity or Tapa. Narada Rishi encountered Sanakadi munis, who appeared with the brightness of thousands of Sun. 

Narada Rishi says: 

I am very happy to see you all. Only very fortunate will have your company. You are a great yogi and with special knowledge.

You have acquired knowledge with the blessings of God Brahma and Lord Veda Vyasa themselves. Always, you all appear in the form of five years old, though you are all older than those who are known to be elders. You leave in amukta Vaikunta, the abode of The Lord. You all are always occupied with Hari Keerthana or singing the glory of the Lord and pioneers to have set this philosophy in motion. Always, you all relish the flavor of the Lord's lelamrutha or sport. Narrating the Lord's story has been your goal of life. As those who are always occupied in Shastra adyayana or study of philosophy will not encounter aging and so are you all. 

With your glare and the expression of eyebrow, Jaya & Vijaya, dwarapalakas or the guards at the Lord's door at Vaikunta had to face the curse of being born on earth. Only fortunate will have your sight. You are full of generosity, kindness & compassion. Hence, you need to bless me, said Narada Rishi with full of humility to Sanathkuma, the highest among four of Sanaka, Sanatana & Sanandana. Having described his encounter with Bhakti, Jnana & Vairagya, and his desire to establish them in people of all Varna including chandalas or outcast, Narada Rishi sought the help of Sanakadi rishis to let him know the good deed or sadhana to be done for the same.

Sanatkumara says:

Narada Rishi, don’t be worried. Gather happiness, you think that the work is, as if already accomplished. The deed for the remedy is very easy and is not as if something new has to be found out. Lord Veda Vyasa, himself has already made ready. Dear Narada Rishi, you are blessed. You are the Vairagya Shiromani or the jewel of dispassion. You are the leader among Sri Krishna Dasa or the servants of the Lord. To establish Jnana, Bhakti & Vairagya in Kali Yuga has become very dear to you and you have initiated the process. To accomplish prosperity or wealth or even Heaven, various methods have been established by rishis. However, the method to accomplish Vaikunta is very secret and only those who have been meritorious by doing deeds to accomplish this over thousands of births would get to know. 

Narada Rishi, I will tell you what the voice from the sky said and the good deed that you need to do. Hear me carefully. There are several types of yagna or sacrifices or offerings. The sacrifices or offerings done by substance or austerity or Yoga or reciting Vedas. However, the most excellent yagna and good deed are Jnana Yagna involving Srimad Bhagavata. You organise a gathering for Bhagavata sapthaha. Bhakti, Jnana & Vairajaya will become very strong. Bhakti will become very happy and live in all virtuous. Where the voice of Bhagavata is heard, Kali & his friends will flee like the jackals in the forest when they hear the roar of a lion. So too, the boast, hypocrite, deceiver, lazy, one who shuns the scriptures, atheism, lacks the dedication to achieve moksha sadhana or liberation flee like jackals when they hear the Bhagavata that is like a roar of the Lion. Hence, the recitation or study or hearing of Bhagavata will make Jnana, Bhakti and Vairagya hale and healthy! Said Sanatkumara. 

To establish the principles of Philosophy on the earth, Lord Veda Vyasa assigned Sanakadi muni as the Emperor of Vedanta Samrajya or Empire Vedanta. Now, keeping Narada Rishi as the cause they were establishing tattva Jnana or axiom. The axiom that Srimad Bhagavata dharma holds one falling down, purifies by absolving the sins committed over several births, removes impediments & difficulties, bestows prosperity, makes virtuous & leads to the Lotus feet of Lord with Moksha or liberation from the cycle of death and birth. 

Narada Rishi says to Kumaras-

I recited Vedas, Brahma Sutra, Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Sahasaranama in the ears of Jnana & Vairagya, but they could not recover and sleep unconsciously. As every verse and every word of Srimad Bhagavata is an elaboration of Vedas, Brahma Sutra, Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Sahasaranama. You are very dear and affectionate to your refugee, please clarify these doubts.

Sanatkumara says-

Like a seed of a mango tree which has all the characteristics to grow into trunk, branches, leaves, flowers and so too the flavor of all those fruits that it is going to bare after years. But one could not eat the seed and enjoy the taste of fruit that it is going to bare later. For that, one has to sow the seed, water it, the seed needs to sprout, becomes a plant with leaves, grows into a tree with a trunk, branches, leaves, flower, and so on. Also, only the fruit has the best flavor, though it gets its substance from the flower, leaves, branch, trunk, etc. So too, Vedas are like seed, Brahma Sutra, Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Sahasaranama is like trunk, branch, leaves, flowers. Srimad Bhagavata is the fruit and tastes the best as compared to Brahma Sutra, Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Sahasaranama. Hence, having the fruit will strengthen and energise Bhakti, Jnana, and Vairagya.

Sanatkumara gave another analogy – 

Though, ghee has been made from milk the flavor of both are different. When the milk is heated to separate cream. Then after fermentation of leftover milk becomes curd the Curd is blended to separate the butter. The Cream from the milk and the butter is heated and clarified to separate the substance Ghee. However, when this ghee is mixed with rice, it tastes very delicious. So too, the flavor of Sugar Cane and the Sugar. Similarly, there is an exclusive taste embedded in Srimad Bhagavata and would strengthen and energise Bhakti, Jnana, and Vairagya. In fact, the objective of Srimad Bhagavata is to install Bhakti, Jnana, and Vairagya on the pedestal of mind, thoughts, and consciousness.

Sanatkumara reminding Narada Rishi, his conversation with Lord Veda Vyasa, says-

Though, of immeasurable Knowledge & Happiness, Lord Veda Vyasa, having recuperated Vedas, compiled them into four sections, narrated Brahma Sutra, Puranas and Mahabharata having Bhagavad Gita & Vishnu Sahasrnama pretended as if he missed something important and under an illusion. It was you, Narada Rishi, who met Lord Veda Vyasa and submitted the four verse or chatur sloki Bhagavata that you had received from father God Brahma and requested him to elaborate. To credit you with the cause for the arrival of Srimad Bhagavata, The Lord, who likes his devotees beyond measure or Bhaktavatsala, enacted to say that his worry is gone and he will compose Srimad Bhagavata as if being fully satisfied with your suggestion. Also, through this, the Lord has communicated that all the worries shall disappear and be satisfied if one takes refuge of Srimad Bhagavata. So it is surprising Narada Rishi that you are questioning! Anyone who hears Srimad Bhagavata for seven days, all difficulties and sorrow will disappear.

Hari Om
Sri Krishnarpanamastu