Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 2
Utthāna Ceremony, Śakaṭa-bhañga, Tṛṇāvarta-vadha, and the Vision of the Universe in Kṛṣṇa’s Mouth
श्रीराजोवाच येन येनावतारेण भगवान् हरिरीश्वर: । करोति कर्णरम्याणि मनोज्ञानि च न: प्रभो ॥ १ ॥ यच्छृण्वतोऽपैत्यरतिर्वितृष्णा सत्त्वं च शुद्ध्यत्यचिरेण पुंस: । भक्तिर्हरौ तत्पुरुषे च सख्यं तदेव हारं वद मन्यसे चेत् ॥ २ ॥
śrī-rājovāca yena yenāvatāreṇa bhagavān harir īśvaraḥ karoti karṇa-ramyāṇi mano-jñāni ca naḥ prabho
King Parīkṣit said: My lord, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, all the various activities exhibited by the incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are certainly pleasing to the ear and to the mind. Simply by one’s hearing of these activities, the dirty things in one’s mind immediately vanish. Generally we are reluctant to hear about the activities of the Lord, but Kṛṣṇa’s childhood activities are so attractive that they are automatically pleasing to the mind and ear. Thus one’s attachment for hearing about material things, which is the root cause of material existence, vanishes, and one gradually develops devotional service to the Supreme Lord, attachment for Him, and friendship with devotees who give us the contribution of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. If you think it fit, kindly speak about those activities of the Lord.
As stated in the Prema-vivarta:
FAQs
This verse says that by hearing the Lord’s incarnations and pastimes, boredom and worldly craving go away, the heart becomes quickly purified, devotion to Hari awakens, and affection/friendship for His devotees arises.
Facing imminent death, Parīkṣit sought the most beneficial spiritual practice; he recognizes that hearing the Lord’s līlā is supremely purifying and bhakti-awakening, so he requests Śukadeva to speak that “best garland” of narration.
Make daily time to hear or read Bhagavatam narrations with attention, and keep company with devotees—this reduces restlessness and desire, strengthens inner clarity, and naturally builds devotion and supportive spiritual friendships.