Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 14
The First Step in God Realization: The Glory of Hearing and the Virāṭ-Rūpa Meditation
तवाप्येतर्हि कौरव्य सप्ताहं जीवितावधि: । उपकल्पय तत्सर्वं तावद्यत्साम्परायिकम् ॥ १४ ॥
tavāpy etarhi kauravya saptāhaṁ jīvitāvadhiḥ upakalpaya tat sarvaṁ tāvad yat sāmparāyikam
কৌরব্য পরীক্ষিত! এখন তোমার জীবনের সীমা সাত দিন; এই সময়ে পরলোকের পরম মঙ্গলার্থে যা যা করণীয়, সবই প্রস্তুত ও সম্পন্ন করো।
Śukadeva Gosvāmī, after citing the example of Mahārāja Khaṭvāṅga, who prepared himself for the next life within a very short time, encouraged Mahārāja Parīkṣit by saying that since he still had seven days at his disposal, he could easily take advantage of the time to prepare himself for the next life. Indirectly, the Gosvāmī told Mahārāja Parīkṣit that he should take shelter of the sound representation of the Lord for the seven days still remaining in the duration of his life and thus get himself liberated. In other words, everyone can best prepare himself for the next life simply by hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, as it was recited by Śukadeva Gosvāmī to Mahārāja Parīkṣit. The rituals are not formal, but there are also some favorable conditions, which are required to be carried out, as instructed hereafter.
FAQs
This verse teaches that when one knows life is short—like Parīkṣit’s seven days—one should immediately focus on what benefits the soul’s ultimate destination, i.e., spiritual practice centered on Bhagavān.
Because Parīkṣit had been cursed to die in seven days, Śukadeva emphasized urgency—redirecting the king from worldly concerns to hearing and absorbing the Bhāgavatam for liberation.
Live with spiritual urgency: simplify priorities, reduce distractions, and dedicate daily time to śravaṇa (hearing), kīrtana (chanting), and remembrance of Krishna, as these prepare one for the inevitable end.