Shloka 17
Mahārāja Parīkṣit Cursed by a Brāhmaṇa Boy (Śṛṅgi) and the Moral Crisis of Kali-yuga
तन्न: परं पुण्यमसंवृतार्थ- माख्यानमत्यद्भुतयोगनिष्ठम् । आख्याह्यनन्ताचरितोपपन्नं पारीक्षितं भागवताभिरामम् ॥ १७ ॥
tan naḥ paraṁ puṇyam asaṁvṛtārtham ākhyānam atyadbhuta-yoga-niṣṭham ākhyāhy anantācaritopapannaṁ pārīkṣitaṁ bhāgavatābhirāmam
Therefore narrate to us the supreme, purifying account of the Unlimited Lord—firmly grounded in wondrous bhakti-yoga and filled with His endless deeds—spoken to Mahārāja Parīkṣit and dearly loved by the pure bhāgavatas.
What was spoken to Mahārāja Parīkṣit and what is very dear to the pure devotees is Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is mainly full of the narrations of the activities of the Supreme Unlimited, and therefore it is the science of bhakti-yoga, or the devotional service of the Lord. Thus it is para, or supreme, because although it is enriched with all knowledge and religion, it is specifically enriched with the devotional service of the Lord.
FAQs
It calls the narration “supremely purifying” and asks for it to be told with its meaning unobscured, indicating that attentive hearing of clear Bhāgavata-kathā elevates the listener spiritually.
Because Parīkṣit’s history is dear to devotees and is connected with the Lord’s limitless pastimes; the sages sought a narration that is both spiritually wondrous and rooted in yoga for the benefit of all.
Seek authentic spiritual teachings with clear meaning, regularly hear or study Bhāgavata-kathā, and anchor daily life in disciplined devotion (yoga-niṣṭhā) rather than distraction.