SB 1.7.8 (1964)
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT No. 8
Sasamhitam bhagavatim kritwa anukramya cha atmajam Sukam adhyapayamasa nivritti niratam munih
ENGLISH SYNONYMS
Sa—that, samhitam—Vedic literature, Bhagavatim—in relation with the personality of Godhead, Kritwa—having done, Anukramya—by correction and repetition, Cha—and, Atmajam—his own son, Sukam—Sukadeva Goswami, Adhyapayamasa—tought, Nivritti—path of self realisation, Niratam—engaged, Munih—the sage.
TRANSLATION
The great sage Vyasadeva after compiling the Srimad Bhagwatam and its due revision, taught it to his own son Sri Sukadeva Goswami who was already engaged in the matter of self realisation.
PURPORT
Srimad Bhagwatam is the natural commentation of the Brahma Sutras compiled by the same author. This Brahma Sutra or Vedanta Sutra is meant for those who are already engaged in the matter of self realisation. Srimad Bhagwatam is so made that one becomes at once engaged in the path of self realisation simply by hearing the topics. Although it is specially meant for the Paramhansas or the Persons Who are simply engaged in the matter of self realisation, yet it works into the depth of the heart of those who may be worldly men. Worldly men are all engaged in the matter of sense gratification. But even such men also will find in this Vedic literature a remedial measure for their material diseases. Sukadeva Goswami was a liberated soul from the very beginning of His birth and His father taught Him Srimad Bhagwatam. Amongst mundane scholars there is some diversity of opinion in the matter of the date of compilation of Srimad Bhagwatam. It is however certain from the text of the Bhagwatam that the great Vedic literature was compiled before the disappearance of King Parikshit and after the departure of Lord Krishna. When Maharaj Parikshit was ruling over the world as the King of Bharatvarsha he chastised the Personality of Kali According to revealed scriptures and astrological calculation of the age of Kali is over now by 5000 five thousands of years. As such it is definitely concluded that Srimad Bhagwatam was compiled not less than five thousands of years before. Mahabharat was compiled before Srimad Bhagwatam and the Puranas were compiled before Mahabharats. That is an estimation of the date of compilation of the different Vedic literatures. The synopsis of Srimad Bhagwatam was done before the detailed description under instruction of Narada. Srimad Bhagwatam is the science for following the Path of Nibritti Marg. The Path of Pravirtti Marga was condemned by Narada. That is natural inclination for all conditioned souls. The theme of Srimad Bhagwatam is the cure of materialistic disease of the human being or to stop completely the pangs of material existence.