Shloka 16
Bhāgavatam Mahimā — The Glory, Measure, Transmission, and Gift of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
निम्नगानां यथा गङ्गा देवानामच्युतो यथा । वैष्णवानां यथा शम्भु: पुराणानामिदं तथा ॥ १६ ॥
nimna-gānāṁ yathā gaṅgā devānām acyuto yathā vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ purāṇānām idam tathā
Sebagaimana sungai-sungai mempunyai Gaṅgā sebagai yang utama, para dewa mempunyai Acyuta sebagai yang tertinggi, dan dalam kalangan Vaiṣṇava, Śambhu (Śiva) sebagai yang teragung—demikianlah dalam kalangan Purāṇa, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam adalah yang paling agung.
FAQs
This verse ranks Bhāgavatam as foremost among Purāṇas, comparing its supremacy to Gaṅgā among rivers and Acyuta among the gods—indicating its unmatched power to awaken pure bhakti.
Yes. This verse explicitly states that among Vaiṣṇavas, Śambhu (Lord Śiva) is foremost, honoring Śiva as the greatest devotee of Viṣṇu.
Give priority to hearing/reading Śrīmad Bhāgavatam regularly, and cultivate devotion to Acyuta with humility—taking guidance from exalted devotees like Śiva, who exemplifies pure Vaiṣṇava spirit.