Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.1.1
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
Even the very question is so nice that it is the best subject matter for hearing. Simply by such questioning and hearing, one can achieve the highest perfectional stage of life. Because Lord Kṛṣṇa is the original Supreme Person, any question about Him is original and perfect. Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said that the highest perfection of life is to achieve the transcendental loving service of Kṛṣṇa. Because questions and answers about Kṛṣṇa elevate one to that transcendental position, the questions of Mahārāja Parīkṣit about Kṛṣṇa philosophy are greatly glorified. Mahārāja Parīkṣit wanted to absorb his mind completely in Kṛṣṇa, and such absorption can be effected simply by hearing about the uncommon activities of Kṛṣṇa. For instance, in the Bhagavad-gītā it is stated that simply by understanding the transcendental nature of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s appearance, disappearance, and activities, one can immediately return home, back to Godhead, and never come back to this miserable condition of material existence. It is very auspicious, therefore, to hear always about Kṛṣṇa. So Mahārāja Parīkṣit requested Śukadeva Gosvāmī to narrate the activities of Kṛṣṇa so that he could engage his mind in Kṛṣṇa. The activities of Kṛṣṇa are nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa Himself. As long as one is engaged in hearing such transcendental activities of Kṛṣṇa, he remains aloof from the conditional life of material existence. The topics of Lord Kṛṣṇa are so auspicious that they purify the speaker, the hearer and the inquirer. They are compared to the Ganges waters, which flow from the toe of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Wherever the Ganges waters go, they purify the land and the person who bathes in them. Similarly, kṛṣṇa-kathā, or the topics of Kṛṣṇa, are so pure that wherever they are spoken, the place, the hearer, the inquirer, the speaker and all concerned become purified.
Offering respects to guru and Kṛṣṇa, the ocean of mercy, I take shelter of Śrī-Śukadeva the eye of the universe, and master of the worlds. I offer myself and everything I possess to he who is the life of the gopīs, the controller, for service to his dear devotees.
In the ten chapters of the Second Canto, Śukadeva begins by describing, in three chapters, how this scripture originates from Nārāyaṇa. In one chapter the excellence of bhakti is described. Three chapters describe the conversation between Brahmā and the Lord. One chapter describes the questions of Parīkṣit and one chapter describes the instructions of the Lord to Brahmā. One chapter describes the ten characteristics of the Purāṇa and the Canto is summarized. In the first chapter the process of meditation on the parts of the universal form such as the feet, practiced in aṣṭāṅga-yoga, is described.
At the end of the previous Canto Parīkṣit asked what is perfection and the means to perfection, and what is to be heard, chanted remembered and worshipped, as well as what is not be heard, chanted, remembered and worshipped. Śukadeva rejoiced at this question. This is the best (varīyān). The questions asked by you are beneficial to the people. This is not a material question. This is approved by the sages present in your assembly who are knowers of ātmā, because they have come here for that purpose alone. Even the questions asked by devotees should be heard, chanted and remembered. Among the questions about what is to be heard, chanted and remembered, this is the best question, the ultimate, because there is nothing higher. That question alone if heard, chanted and remembered will make people completely successful. Furthermore, by hearing the answer given by me to that question, you will be come successful. Thus later it will be said:
vāsudeva-kathā-praśnaḥ puruṣāṁs trīn punāti hi vaktāraṁ pracchakaṁ śrotṝṁs tat-pāda-salilaṁ yathā
The Ganges, emanating from the toe of Lord Viṣṇu, purifies the three worlds, the upper, middle and lower planetary systems. Similarly, when one asks questions about the pastimes and characteristics of Lord Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa, three varieties of men are purified: the speaker or preacher, he who inquires, and the people in general who listen. SB 10.1.16
- NRM SB 02-01-01-10
- Navakishori Mataji SB 02-01-01-04
- Priya Valabha Mataji SB 02-01-01 Hindi
- Balaram Shakti Pr SB 02-01-01-16 - Kolkata
- Balaram Shakti Pr SB 02-01-01-11 - Thane
- Balaram Shakti Pr SB 02-01-01-11 - Kanpur
- Balaram Shakti Pr SB 02-01-01-14 - Dharwad
- Balaram Shakti Pr SB 02-01-01-17 - Vrindavan
- BJP SB 02-01-01-01-07 - 1998-05-13
- Jananivas Pr SB 02-01-01-02 - 2005-12-29
- Nirantara Pr SB 02-01-01 - 2010-08-08 Los Angeles
- Pariksit Pr SB 02-01-01 - The Importance of Hearing about Krishna - 2024-03-22 Harrisburg
- Sarvabhauma Pr Hindi SB 02-01-01-05 - 2010-09-05 Mauritius
- Sundar Nimai Pr SB 02-01-01-04 Telugu - 2020-07-03 ISKCON Habibpur
- BCS SB 02-01-01 - 1991-06-14 Towacony
- BCS SB 02-01-01-09 - 2007-02-24 Ujjain
- Bhakti Vikas Sw SB 02-01-01 - 2001-08-25 Croatia
- MVS SB 02-01-01-04 - Matchless Gifts - 2013-10-11 London
- Mukunda Sw SB 02-01-01
- RGS SB 02-01-01-05 Hindi - Sukadev Goswami ke Uttar Day-03 - Chicago 2004
- 04 - RGS SB 02-01-01-07 Hindi - Parikshit Maharaj ke Prasna-04-Bhakti ki Mahima-01 - 2008 Bhubaneswar
- Romapada Sw SB 02-01-01-06 - Inquiry into Atma-tattva - 2005-12-23 Chicago
- SNS SB 02-01-01 - Chanting without interruption - 1996-03-29 Sombor
- ISKCON Kolhapur SB 02-01-01 Hindi - 2009-02-19 HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu
- SP SB 2-01-01 Delhi 1973-11-04 In Vrindavan There are More--etc
- SP SB 2-01-01 Paris 1974-06-09 Hankering to Hear About Krishna
- SP SB 2-01-01 New York 1969-04-10 The Krishna-Approaching Body
- SP SB 2-01-01 Boston 1969-12-22 Self-Realized vs. Body-Realized
- SP SB 2-01-01 Vrindavan 1974-03-16 How to Be Fearless at Death
- SP SB 2-01-01 Los Angeles 1970-07-01 Death Is As Sure As Death
- What questions am I currently asking life — and where are they leading me?
- When did I last ask something about my deepest spiritual identity, and who did I ask?
My note
Source: vedabase.io