Found in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam - The Supreme Commentary on Vedānta
The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is revered as the ripened fruit of the Vedic tree of knowledge. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that whatever one needs to know about the material or spiritual worlds can be found within its pages. As the authorized, natural commentary on the Vedānta-sūtra, the Bhāgavatam elevates the reader from basic moral principles all the way to the highest, most confidential loving pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Real Commentary on Vedānta
Many philosophers attempt to interpret the Vedānta-sūtra using mundane logic, but the actual author, Vyāsadeva, provided his own perfect explanation. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that true scholars study the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, as it is the direct and flawless commentary on all Vedic codes.
- In every chapter of Srimad-Bhagavatam you'll find brahma-sutra-bhasya: "This is real commentary on the Brahma-sutra." So one should read daily at least one, two hours. That is human life.
- You'll find all the codes of brahma-sutra or Vedanta-sutra in Srimad-Bhagavatam, very nicely explained. It is practically the explanation of vedanta-sutra.
- Those who are Krsna conscious actually have full knowledge of the essence of Vedanta philosophy, for they study the real commentary on the Vedanta philosophy, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and follow the actual words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as found in Bhagavad-gita As It Is.
- You will find in Srimad-Bhagavatam, each word is transcendental. Each word is full of meaning and transcendental knowledge, because the writer, the composer of this transcendental book, is Vyasadeva. He is perfect, Vedavyasa, perfect in Vedic knowledge.
Standard of True Religion
The Bhāgavatam completely dismantles sectarianism. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently points out that terms like "Hinduism" are never found within its text; instead, the Bhāgavatam establishes that true religion is simply the science of developing pure, unalloyed love for the Supreme Lord.
- There is no such word in the whole Vedic literature. You won't find in the Bhagavad-gita or Bhagavata as Hindu dharma. There is one word as Bhagavata-dharma, but there is no such word as Hindu dharma.
- We don't find either in the Bhagavad-gita or Srimad-Bhagavatam or any authorized Vedic literature "Hindu dharma." Unfortunately, in India it has become very prominent, Hindu dharma, something hodgepodge.
- The best process or the easiest process, in this age especially, is to chant the Holy name of God. From this definition of religion as we find in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the criterion test of religion is how it helps people to develop his dormant Love of God.
- Therefore, no one can manufacture any system of religion without the principle of devotional service to the Lord. As we find in the Sixth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, the initiator of religious principles is the Lord Himself.
A Comprehensive Guide for Human Civilization
Far from being a mere collection of myths, the text offers highly practical knowledge for running a civilized society. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights that one can find deep sociological, political, and historical precedents within the Bhāgavatam that perfectly guide human behavior and statecraft.
- In the Srimad-Bhagavatam you will find everything, whatever is necessity, for the advancement of human civilization. Everything is there described. And knowledge also, all departmental knowledge.
- In the Srimad-Bhagavatam you will find the instruction is by Rsabhadeva, that this life is not meant for that simply hard labor for sense gratification. If you work hard, you try to work hard for attaining Krsna consciousness.
- Here (Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.17.25) we find some indication of how the government can arrange for the eating of cow flesh. It is here indicated that in a rare circumstance when there is no supply of grains, the government may sanction the eating of meat.
- Sometimes after many, many years, a bad king would come. Throughout the history, at least in Srimad-Bhagavatam, we find this one king only, Vena, who declared the sacrifice, charity illegal.
The Revelation of Confidential Pastimes
The ultimate glory of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is found in its Tenth Canto. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that it is exclusively within these pages that the deepest, most confidential pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, including the supreme ecstasy of the gopīs, are meticulously recorded and preserved for the pure devotees.
- The evidence of the truth of these talks is found in Srimad-Bhagavatam. There, in the section of the Tenth Canto known as the Bhramara-gita, "The Song to the Bumblebee," Srimati Radharani speaks insanely in ecstatic love for Krsna.
- In Srimad-Bhagavatam it is found that when the gopis of Vrndavana desired Krsna as their husband, they prayed to the spiritual energy, yogamaya, for the fulfillment of their desire.
- We shall find in Srimad-Bhagavatam that as soon as all the gopis, the young cowherd girls of Vrndavana, heard Krsna's flute, they immediately came to dance with Him.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's dancing before the Ratha-yatra car could be perceived only by pure devotees. Others could not understand. Descriptions of Lord Krsna's uncommon dancing can be found in the revealed scripture Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the ultimate, indispensable text for anyone seeking the Absolute Truth. As Śrīla Prabhupāda wonderfully explains, it is not a book of sectarian dogma; it entirely avoids artificial labels like "Hinduism" in favor of presenting the pure science of loving God. Because it is the direct, authorized commentary on the Vedānta-sūtra compiled by Vyāsadeva, every word is infused with transcendental potency. From highly practical societal injunctions to the most profound, confidential ecstasies of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and the gopīs, everything required for the perfection of human life is found within its pages. Therefore, a sincere soul can read this magnificent literature repeatedly throughout their life, constantly finding new enlightenment and ever-increasing transcendental happiness.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Found in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.