The First Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam - The Lotus Feet of Kṛṣṇa
When we open the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, we are not merely opening a book of ancient Indian history or mythology; we are directly associating with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Bhāgavatam is the literary incarnation of Kṛṣṇa, and therefore, it must be approached with the utmost reverence and systematic study. To understand the Absolute Truth, one cannot randomly open pages; one must start exactly where the Lord intends us to start—at His lotus feet.
Literary Incarnation of God
According to Vaiṣṇava philosophy, the twelve cantos of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam correspond directly to the transcendental body of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that when we approach a highly exalted personality or a Deity in the temple, we do not boldly stare at their face right away; we respectfully begin our vision at their feet. Similarly, the First and Second Cantos represent the lotus feet of the Lord.
- Srimad-Bhagavatam is considered to be the transcendental sound form of God, and the twelve cantos are divided in accordance with the transcendental form of God. The First and Second Cantos of Srimad-Bhagavatam are called the two lotus feet of the Lord.
- The Srimad-Bhagavatam, the First Canto, Second Canto are two lotus feet of the Lord. We have to read very carefully, because we have to see, first of all, padambujam.
- Everyone serious about understanding the transcendental science and seeing the transcendental form of the Lord must first of all attempt to see the lotus feet of the Lord by studying the First and Second Cantos of Srimad-Bhagavatam.
- It is suggested by Lord Siva that one should first try to see the lotus feet of the Lord. This also means that if one is serious about reading Srimad-Bhagavatam, he must begin by seriously studying the First and Second Cantos.
Danger of Jumping to the Tenth Canto
Because the Tenth Canto of the Bhāgavatam deals with Kṛṣṇa's most intimate, loving pastimes (such as the rāsa-līlā), many unqualified people want to jump there immediately. Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly forbids this practice. If a person whose heart is still contaminated by material lust attempts to read the Tenth Canto without the philosophical foundation of the First Canto, they will tragically misunderstand Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes as ordinary mundane romance.
- The conclusion is that those who are still entrapped by sex indulgence should never progress to meditation above the feet of the Lord; recital of Srimad-Bhagavatam by them should be restricted to the First and Second Cantos of the great literature.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu never discussed the topics of Rasaleela in public audience, but only with the most confidential associates. It is not for materialistic persons. I suggested you film the Srimad Bhagavatam, starting with the First Canto.
- In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the science of God, the first nine cantos prepare the ground for hearing the Tenth Canto. This will be further explained in the last chapter of this canto. In the Third Canto it will be more explicit.
- The First Canto or Second Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam are the two lotus feet of Krsna. So from the very beginning we should hear Srimad-Bhagavatam. Gradually, we shall come to the face. That is real understanding of Krsna.
Establishing the Absolute Truth
What makes the First Canto so essential? It firmly establishes the philosophical reality of God. From the very first verse (janmādy asya yataḥ), it defeats all voidist and impersonalist theories by proving that the Absolute Truth is a supreme, cognizant person who is completely free from the illusions of material relativity. It sets the stage by identifying Kṛṣṇa as the source of all incarnations.
- The actual object of glorification is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has created everything manifested before us. We have broadly discussed this fact from the beginning of the "janmady asya" (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.1) sloka of this Bhagavatam.
- As it is explained in the first sloka of the First Chapter of the Bhagavatam, the Supreme Truth is self-sufficient, cognizant and free from the illusion of relativity.
- To qualify the Mayavadis and other common men who indulge in the mental speculative transactions, Srimad-Bhagavatam gives them instructions from the 1st to the 9th canto about the transcendental nature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- We are accepting the Srimad-Bhagavatam as it is without interpretation and in that book in the 3rd chapter of the 1st canto all the incarnations of Godhead are listed.
Essence of All Vedic Literature
When the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya gathered, they asked Sūta Gosvāmī to summarize the ultimate essence of all Vedic literature. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights that the First Canto definitively answers this question: the supreme religion is not ritualistic karma or dry mental speculation, but causeless, unmotivated devotional service to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
- In the 1st Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam the sages of Naimisaranya asked Suta Gosvami how one can know the essence of Vedic literature. In answer, Suta Gosvami presented Srimad-Bhagavatam as the essence of all the Vedas, histories and other Vedic literatures.
- It has already been stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, First Canto, Second Chapter, that the highest, most glorious religion is the attainment of causeless, unmotivated devotional service.
- In the Srimad-Bhagavatam the process of understanding Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Truth, is described in the Second Chapter of the First Canto.
- Perfection means becoming a devotee of Lord Krsna. As stated in the First Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.28): vasudeva-para veda vasudeva-para makhah. The ultimate goal of life is Vasudeva, or Krsna.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s translation and purports of the First Canto are the master key to understanding the entire Vedic spiritual science. By humbly approaching the Bhāgavatam at the lotus feet of the Lord and studying the First Canto thoroughly, we clear away all misconceptions, cleanse our hearts of material desires, and prepare ourselves to actually see the beautiful, smiling face of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
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 First Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience his teachings in their direct, verbatim form.