Srimad Bhagavatam

Book Synopsis: This is a summarized version of Mahapurana Srimad Bhagavatam. Though condensed, the book carries all the important aspects. The author has done away with the ornamentation and decorations and has kept the hardcore of the Mahapurana. She has brought out the essentials of Srimad Bhagavatam in a simple and appealing language. This book is a confluence of Bhakti yoga, karma yoga, and Jnana yoga. Bhagavatam is the essence of all Vedic wisdom. This book-Bhagavat Purana is made up of ten sections. Various stories of Purana are told in this book. Krishna’s story with the Mahabharat story in it is told in more detail than the others. The story of Pururavas and the celestial maid Urvashi, the story of King Trishanku who wanted to enter heaven with his earthly body, Yayati and Devyani’s story, Dushyanta Shakuntala, and many others are told here. The Bhagavatam has been aptly described as the spiritual butter churned out of the ocean of the Veda milk for the benefit of those "who are pure in heart, free from malice and envy, and are keen to hear it." All mankind is destined to hear the message of the Bhagavatam, but the message will come loud and clear only when one really yearns for it, when "Shraddha" enters the soul as it did in the case of Nachiketas. Bhagavatam, being the culmination of Jnana and Bhakti, is dear alike to the Advaitin, Vishishtadvaitin and the Dvaitin. Its appeal is to the head as well as to the heart. The very fact that it is a Purana proclaims aloud the truth that it is not an esoteric text meant for a select few but a sacred scripture meant to bring within the reach of all, including householders, the peace that passeth understanding. Dry philosophy seldom appeals to the human mind. But in the Bhagavatam, even the most abstruse philosophic truths are put across by means of stories and legends. This is the secret of its popularity among all classes of people. Kamala Subramaniam Kamala Subramaniam’s trilogy- Mahabharata, Srimad Bhagavatam and Ramayan, is a stupendous literary achievement. She was a literary person who left a legacy of good reading for the future generations. She established herself as a narrator in Mahabharata, while Srimad Bhagavatam soared to ecstatic devotional heights and she excelled herself in Ramayan, completing the trilogy of epics.