Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 25
Karmic Aspirations, Demigod Worship, and the Supreme Duty of Bhakti
Hari-kathā as Life’s True Gain
अथाभिधेह्यङ्ग मनोऽनुकूलं प्रभाषसे भागवतप्रधान: । यदाह वैयासकिरात्मविद्या- विशारदो नृपतिं साधु पृष्ट: ॥ २५ ॥
athābhidhehy aṅga mano-’nukūlaṁ prabhāṣase bhāgavata-pradhānaḥ yad āha vaiyāsakir ātma-vidyā- viśārado nṛpatiṁ sādhu pṛṣṭaḥ
O Sūta Gosvāmī, your speech is pleasing to our minds, for you are foremost in the Bhāgavata. Therefore, please explain to us exactly as the great devotee Śukadeva Gosvāmī—expert in transcendental self-knowledge—spoke to Mahārāja Parīkṣit when properly questioned.
Knowledge explained by the previous ācārya like Śukadeva Gosvāmī and followed by the next like Sūta Gosvāmī is always powerful transcendental knowledge, and it is therefore penetrating and useful to all submissive students.
FAQs
This verse emphasizes approaching and hearing from a foremost Bhāgavata (pure devotee), because such a speaker can faithfully convey the liberating teachings spoken by Śukadeva to King Parīkṣit.
The sages wanted the essence of Bhāgavata wisdom; Sūta, recognizing their sincere inquiry, is asked to recount exactly what Śukadeva—expert in self-knowledge—taught Parīkṣit when questioned properly.
Seek authentic teachers and regularly hear Srimad Bhagavatam with sincere questions; this cultivates clarity, steadiness of mind, and devotion—especially valuable amid Kali Yuga distractions.