Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 45
Bhāgavata-Māhātmya and the Complete Summary of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
देहत्यागश्च राजर्षेर्विष्णुरातस्य धीमत: । शाखाप्रणयनमृषेर्मार्कण्डेयस्य सत्कथा । महापुरुषविन्यास: सूर्यस्य जगदात्मन: ॥ ४५ ॥
deha-tyāgaś ca rājarṣer viṣṇu-rātasya dhīmataḥ śākhā-praṇayanam ṛṣer mārkaṇḍeyasya sat-kathā mahā-puruṣa-vinyāsaḥ sūryasya jagad-ātmanaḥ
It also recounts the passing of the wise saintly King Viṣṇurāta (Parīkṣit), explains how Vyāsadeva propagated the branches of the Vedas, narrates the pious tale of Ṛṣi Mārkaṇḍeya, and describes in detail the Lord’s universal form, including His form as the sun, the soul of the universe.
FAQs
This verse notes that the Bhāgavatam includes the account of the wise King Viṣṇurāta (Parīkṣit) giving up his body—his final moment that culminates in liberation through hearing the Lord’s glories.
Because the Bhāgavatam contains the sacred narrative (sat-kathā) of Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, presented as an important teaching episode within its broader spiritual message.
It encourages studying the Bhāgavatam as a complete spiritual guide—covering saintly endings, preservation of Vedic knowledge, exemplary sages, and seeing the Lord’s presence in cosmic order (like Sūrya).