Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 57
Bhāgavata-Māhātmya and the Complete Summary of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
अहं च संस्मारित आत्मतत्त्वं श्रुतं पुरा मे परमर्षिवक्त्रात् । प्रायोपवेशे नृपते: परीक्षित: सदस्यृषीणां महतां च शृण्वताम् ॥ ५७ ॥
ahaṁ ca saṁsmārita ātma-tattvaṁ śrutaṁ purā me paramarṣi-vaktrāt prāyopaveśe nṛpateḥ parīkṣitaḥ sadasy ṛṣīṇāṁ mahatāṁ ca śṛṇvatām
Eu também fui agora plenamente relembrado da ciência de Deus, que outrora ouvi da boca do grande sábio Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Estive presente na assembleia de grandes ṛṣis que o ouviram falar ao rei Parīkṣit, enquanto o monarca jejuava até a morte.
FAQs
This verse emphasizes that ātma-tattva—spiritual truth—is transmitted and realized through hearing from an exalted sage, as Parīkṣit and the assembled ṛṣis heard during his final days.
He cites the setting to establish the authority and purity of the teaching: the Bhāgavatam was spoken by the supreme sage (Śukadeva) and heard by Parīkṣit and great sages in a sacred, focused assembly.
Prioritize regular, attentive hearing of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from authentic teachers and in devotional association, using śravaṇam to deepen self-realization and steady bhakti.