Shloka 3
Divinity and Divine Service
Bhagavān and Bhakti as the Supreme Dharma
य: स्वानुभावमखिलश्रुतिसारमेक- मध्यात्मदीपमतितितीर्षतां तमोऽन्धम् । संसारिणां करुणयाह पुराणगुह्यं तं व्याससूनुमुपयामि गुरुं मुनीनाम् ॥ ३ ॥
yaḥ svānubhāvam akhila-śruti-sāram ekam adhyātma-dīpam atititīrṣatāṁ tamo ’ndham saṁsāriṇāṁ karuṇayāha purāṇa-guhyaṁ taṁ vyāsa-sūnum upayāmi guruṁ munīnām
أتقدّم بخشوعٍ وسجودٍ إلى شري شوكا، ابن فياسا ومعلّم الحكماء؛ إذ استوعب بخبرته الباطنية خلاصة جميع الشروتي، وبالرحمة على السالكين الذين يكابدون عبور ظلمات السمسارا، أفصح عن هذا السرّ البوراني الأشدّ كتمانًا.
In this prayer, Śrīla Sūta Gosvāmī practically summarizes the complete introduction of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the natural supplementary commentary on the Vedānta-sūtras. The Vedānta-sūtras, or the Brahma-sūtras, were compiled by Vyāsadeva with a view to presenting just the cream of Vedic knowledge. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the natural commentary on this cream. Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī was a thoroughly realized master on the Vedānta-sūtra, and consequently he also personally realized the commentary, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. And just to show his boundless mercy upon bewildered materialistic men who want to cross completely over nescience, he recited for the first time this confidential knowledge.
FAQs
It declares that Śukadeva Gosvāmī embodies the essence of all Vedic revelation (akhila-śruti-sāra) because his teaching is grounded in direct spiritual realization and culminates in the Bhāgavatam’s pure devotion.
Because Śukadeva compassionately spoke the confidential Śrīmad Bhāgavatam to deliver conditioned souls from the darkness of saṁsāra, and Sūta is establishing him as the authoritative guru of sages.
Seek guidance from realized teachers, study Bhāgavatam sincerely, and use spiritual knowledge as a “lamp” to overcome confusion, anxiety, and materialistic habits.