Shloka 4
नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम् । देवीं सरस्वतीं व्यासं ततो जयमुदीरयेत् ॥ ४ ॥
nārāyaṇaṁ namaskṛtya naraṁ caiva narottamam devīṁ sarasvatīṁ vyāsaṁ tato jayam udīrayet
Before reciting the victory-bestowing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, one should bow to Bhagavān Nārāyaṇa, to Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi the foremost of men, to Mother Sarasvatī the goddess of learning, and to Śrī Vyāsadeva the author; then one should utter “jaya”.
All the Vedic literatures and the Purāṇas are meant for conquering the darkest region of material existence. The living being is in the state of forgetfulness of his relation with God due to his being overly attracted to material sense gratification from time immemorial. His struggle for existence in the material world is perpetual, and it is not possible for him to get out of it by making plans. If he at all wants to conquer this perpetual struggle for existence, he must reestablish his eternal relation with God. And one who wants to adopt such remedial measures must take shelter of literatures such as the Vedas and the Purāṇas. Foolish people say that the Purāṇas have no connection with the Vedas. However, the Purāṇas are supplementary explanations of the Vedas intended for different types of men. All men are not equal. There are men who are conducted by the mode of goodness, others who are under the mode of passion and others who are under the mode of ignorance. The Purāṇas are so divided that any class of men can take advantage of them and gradually regain their lost position and get out of the hard struggle for existence. Śrīla Sūta Gosvāmī shows the way of chanting the Purāṇas. This may be followed by persons who aspire to be preachers of the Vedic literatures and the Purāṇas. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the spotless Purāṇa, and it is especially meant for them who desire to get out of the material entanglement permanently.
FAQs
It means to first offer reverent obeisances to Lord Nārāyaṇa, acknowledging Him as the supreme source and the proper object of devotion before beginning the sacred narration.
Because the Bhāgavata is transmitted through the divine and disciplic lineage: Nara-Nārāyaṇa represent saintly realization, Sarasvatī presides over pure speech and learning, and Vyāsa is the compiler of the Purāṇa—thus the speaker seeks blessing and authenticity.
Begin study, teaching, or chanting with humility—offer respect to God, the sages, and the teachers, and then speak with the intention of truth and spiritual upliftment rather than ego or display.