Shloka 18
Bhāgavatam Mahimā — The Glory, Measure, Transmission, and Gift of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
श्रीमद्भागवतं पुराणममलं यद्वैष्णवानां प्रियं यस्मिन् पारमहंस्यमेकममलं ज्ञानं परं गीयते । तत्र ज्ञानविरागभक्तिसहितं नैष्कर्म्यमाविष्कृतं तच्छृण्वन् सुपठन् विचारणपरो भक्त्या विमुच्येन्नर: ॥ १८ ॥
śrīmad-bhāgavataṁ purāṇam amalaṁ yad vaiṣṇavānāṁ priyaṁ yasmin pāramahaṁsyam ekam amalaṁ jñānaṁ paraṁ gīyate tatra jñāna-virāga-bhakti-sahitaṁ naiṣkarmyam āviskṛtaṁ tac chṛṇvan su-paṭhan vicāraṇa-paro bhaktyā vimucyen naraḥ
శ్రీమద్భాగవతం నిర్మలమైన పురాణం; వైష్ణవులకు అత్యంత ప్రియము. ఇందులో పరమహంసుల ఏకైక శుద్ధమైన పరమజ్ఞానం గానమవుతుంది. ఇందులో జ్ఞానం, వైరాగ్యం, భక్తితో కూడిన నైష్కర్మ్యము వెల్లడించబడుతుంది. భక్తితో విని, సరిగా పఠించి, విచారణచేసేవాడు సంపూర్ణ విముక్తి పొందుతాడు.
Because Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is completely free of contamination by the modes of nature, it is endowed with extraordinary spiritual beauty and is therefore dear to the pure devotees of the Lord. The word pāramahaṁsyam indicates that even completely liberated souls are eager to hear and narrate Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Those who are trying to be liberated should faithfully serve this literature by hearing and reciting it with faith and devotion.
FAQs
This verse teaches that by hearing, properly reciting, and thoughtfully reflecting on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with devotion, a person becomes liberated.
At the conclusion of the Bhāgavatam’s narration, Sūta Gosvāmī summarizes its unique greatness: it is a spotless Purāṇa that reveals the highest paramahaṁsa knowledge and the path of bhakti leading to freedom.
Make regular time to hear/read Bhāgavatam, study it attentively, and contemplate its teachings—allowing devotion to deepen while naturally reducing unhealthy attachments.