Shloka 9
The Appearance of Śrī Nārada and Vyāsa’s Dissatisfaction
Veda-vibhāga and the Need for Bhakti
अभिमन्युसुतं सूत प्राहुर्भागवतोत्तमम् । तस्य जन्म महाश्चर्यं कर्माणि च गृणीहि न: ॥ ९ ॥
abhimanyu-sutaṁ sūta prāhur bhāgavatottamam tasya janma mahāścaryaṁ karmāṇi ca gṛṇīhi naḥ
O Sūta, man sagt, der Sohn Abhimanyus (Parīkṣit) sei ein erstklassiger Geweihter des Herrn. Seine Geburt ist höchst wundersam, und ebenso seine Taten; bitte berichte uns von ihm.
The birth of Mahārāja Parīkṣit is wonderful because in the womb of his mother he was protected by the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. His activities are also wonderful because he chastised Kali, who was attempting to kill a cow. To kill cows means to end human civilization. He wanted to protect the cow from being killed by the great representative of sin. His death is also wonderful because he got previous notice of his death, which is wonderful for any mortal being, and thus he prepared himself for passing away by sitting down on the bank of the Ganges and hearing the transcendental activities of the Lord. During all the days he heard Bhāgavatam, he did not take food or drink, nor did he sleep a moment. So everything about him is wonderful, and his activities are worth hearing attentively. The desire is expressed herein to hear about him in detail.
FAQs
This verse states that Abhimanyu’s son (Parīkṣit) is proclaimed “bhāgavatottama,” the foremost among devotees, and the sages ask Sūta to describe his extraordinary birth and deeds.
Because Parīkṣit is renowned as an exemplary devotee, the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya request Sūta—an authorized narrator of Purāṇic wisdom—to recount the miraculous circumstances of his birth and his life’s deeds for spiritual benefit.
It encourages hearing and studying the lives of great devotees (bhāgavatas), since such kīrtana and śravaṇa inspire faith, devotion, and practical guidance for living with dharma and remembrance of the Lord.