Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 4
Nārāyaṇa’s Impartiality, Absorption in Kṛṣṇa, and the Jaya–Vijaya Descent
Prelude to Prahlāda’s History
श्रीऋषिरुवाच साधु पृष्टं महाराज हरेश्चरितमद्भुतम् । यद् भागवतमाहात्म्यं भगवद्भक्तिवर्धनम् ॥ ४ ॥ गीयते परमं पुण्यमृषिभिर्नारदादिभि: । नत्वा कृष्णाय मुनये कथयिष्ये हरे: कथाम् ॥ ५ ॥
śrī-ṛṣir uvāca sādhu pṛṣṭaṁ mahārāja hareś caritam adbhutam yad bhāgavata-māhātmyaṁ bhagavad-bhakti-vardhanam
圣贤说道：大王啊，你所问甚善；哈利（主）的奇妙行迹与《圣典博伽梵往世书》的伟大功德，能增长对至上主（Bhagavān）的奉爱。此至上福德为那罗陀等圣者所歌咏；我先顶礼毗耶娑（黑岛生者），然后开始宣说哈利之 कथा。
In this verse Śukadeva Gosvāmī offers his respectful obeisances kṛṣṇāya munaye, which means to Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa. One must first offer one’s respectful obeisances to one’s spiritual master. Śukadeva Gosvāmī’s spiritual master is his father, Vyāsadeva, and therefore he first offers his respectful obeisances to Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa and then begins describing topics of Lord Hari.
FAQs
This verse states that the Bhāgavatam’s glory lies in increasing devotion to the Lord; hearing Hari’s wondrous pastimes nourishes bhakti.
Because Parīkṣit’s inquiry centers on Hari’s adbhuta-carita and the Bhāgavatam’s māhātmya—topics that directly awaken and expand pure devotion.
Prioritize regular śravaṇa (hearing) of Bhāgavatam and Hari-kathā, since devotion grows by consistently engaging the mind and heart in the Lord’s narrations.