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: O lord Śukadeva, the deeds Bhagavān Hari displays in His many avatāras are delightful to the ear and enchanting to the mind. By hearing them, the heart’s impurities quickly vanish, one’s thirst for worldly talk fades, and soon bhakti to Hari and friendship with His bhaktas arise. If you deem it proper, please speak those divine pastimes.
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.