Srimad Bhagavatham vividly details the divine attributes and actions of Lord Narayana. Thirukkudandhai Dr. Venkatesh delivered a concise discourse capturing its essence. The text consists of 12 Skandas (sections). The first Skanda stresses that the Lord honours the devotion of His followers, allowing them to prevail and choosing to yield before them. The second recounts how the Lord recited the Bhagavatham to Brahma, the creator, who passed it to Narada, Narada to Vyasa, Vyasa to Sukha, and Sukha to King Parikshit. The third Skanda highlights the Lord’s profound love for His devotees; when Sanatkumaras admonished the Dwarapalakas (His gatekeepers), the Lord assumed their guilt.
In the fourth Skanda, the Lord’s compassion in blessing the young devotee Dhruva receives high acclaim. The fifth teaches unwavering support for devotees, exemplified by the story of Jatabharatha. The sixth shows that even those who err can attain liberation by chanting God’s names, knowingly or unknowingly, as illustrated by Ajamila’s story.
The seventh Skanda imparts that the Lord always fulfils the words of His devotees. He affirmed Prahlada’s declaration by manifesting instantly from a pillar. In the eighth Skanda, it is affirmed that the Lord does not hesitate even to beg for the protection of His devotees. As Vamana, He sought alms from King Mahabali to uphold righteousness. In the ninth Skanda, He defended His devotee Ambarisha from danger, demonstrating that He always protects those who surrender to Him.
The tenth Skanda, the centrepiece of Srimad Bhagavatham, recounts the Krishna Leela, where the Lord revels among His devotees and expresses the purest form of divine love.
The eleventh Skanda describes God serving as Guru, imparting wisdom to His disciple Uddhava — hence, “Uddhava Gita.” In the final Skanda, it is declared that He encompasses the universe and resides in every being.
Published – October 23, 2025 04:50 am IST
