Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 5
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
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），再宣说哈利之 कथा，使人以聆听与颂唱而增长奉爱。
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 Hari’s narrations are supremely purifying and are glorified by great sages; hearing and speaking them is presented as a potent means of spiritual upliftment.
Śukadeva honors Vyāsa—the sage who compiled and transmitted the Bhāgavata tradition—showing that sacred narration is received through reverence, disciplic succession, and humility.
Begin spiritual study with respect (gratitude to teachers and sources) and make time for regular hearing/reading of Bhagavatam or Hari’s names and pastimes, trusting in its cleansing effect on the mind.