Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 3

Bhāgavatam Mahimā — The Glory, Measure, Transmission, and Gift of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Devanagari script

पुराणसङ्ख्यासम्भूतिमस्य वाच्यप्रयोजने । दानं दानस्य माहात्म्यं पाठादेश्च निबोधत ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

purāṇa-saṅkhyā-sambhūtim asya vācya-prayojane dānaṁ dānasya māhātmyaṁ pāṭhādeś ca nibodhata

Translation

Now please hear a summary of the verse counts of each Purāṇa. Then hear the chief subject and purpose of this Bhāgavata Purāṇa, the proper method of giving it as a sacred gift, the glories of such giving, and finally the glories of hearing and reciting/chanting this scripture.

Synonyms

• purāṇa-saṅkhyā-sambhūtim: the (total) arising from the count of the Purāṇas
• purāṇa-saṅkhyā-sambhūtim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purāṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + saṅkhyā (प्रातिपदिक) + sambhūti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन; समासः—पुराणानां सङ्ख्या-सम्भूतिः (origin/total arising from the count of Purāṇas)

• asya: of this
• asya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• vācya-prayojane: in (its) subject-matter and purpose
• vācya-prayojane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vācya (प्रातिपदिक) + prayojana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), द्विवचन; समासः—वाच्ये प्रयोजने (in the subject-matter and the purpose)

• dānam: the gift/charity
• dānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• dānasya: of charity
• dānasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• māhātmyam: the greatness/glory
• māhātmyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māhātmya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• pāṭha-ādeḥ: of recitation and the like
• pāṭha-ādeḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāṭha (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; समासः—पाठः आदिः यस्य (reading and so on)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• nibodhata: understand/learn
• nibodhata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-budh (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative/आज्ञार्थ), आत्मनेपद, मध्यमपुरुष, बहुवचन

Purport

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the best of all Purāṇas. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that the other Purāṇas will now be mentioned just as the assistants of a king are mentioned in connection with his glorification.

Characters & Entities

• Sūta Gosvāmī
• Śaunaka Ṛṣi
• Naimiṣāraṇya Ṛṣis

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the proper method of recitation (pāṭha)?

This verse introduces that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam has specific instructions for recitation—how it should be read/heard with proper understanding of its subject and purpose.

Why did Sūta Gosvāmī speak about donation (dāna) of the Bhāgavatam to the sages?

In the concluding teachings, Sūta Gosvāmī highlights not only hearing and reciting the Bhāgavatam but also the spiritual benefit of honoring it through gifting and supporting its transmission.

Practical application of understanding the ‘purpose’ (prayojana) of the Bhāgavatam in modern life?

Approach the Bhāgavatam not as mere literature but as a guide for devotion—study it with the aim of deepening bhakti, and support its sharing through teaching, reading groups, and responsible distribution.