Have you ever wondered that what should be the qualification of the speaker of Srimad Bhagavatam?
These days we see there are many professional reciters of Srimad Bhagavatam. They may have the ability to sing the verses of Bhagavatam in a poetic way but if they are not the devotees of the Lord then their recitation is of not much value.
We generally see that such professional reciters like to speak a lot about Krishna’s rasa lila which is given in the tenth canto.
These professional reciters do not show much interest in the first nine cantos and eleventh and twelfth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam. But they passionately speak about Krishna’s pastimes with gopis of Vrindavan which is given in the tenth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam.
They present it as if it’s like a boy and girl relationship which we see in this world. The gullible audience likes such stories.
But such recitation does not transform the heart of the speaker and the audience. This is why we see so many people know the rasa lila pastime of Krishna, but they never become sincere devotees of Krishna.
After hearing Bhagavatam from professional reciters people continue with their mundane life. They do not develop any taste in chanting the names of Krishna and they do not develop any desire to dedicate their life to Krishna.
On the other hand, we see that when people hear Srimad Bhagavatam from pure devotees then their heart automatically develops love for Krishna. And they immediately give up all mundane attachment and get attached to the lotus feet of Krishna.
Two examples
For example, Parikshit Maharaj, relished Srimad Bhagavatam from Sukhadev Goswami continuously for 7 days and 7 nights. He gave up all worldly attachments and remained absorbed in Krishna Consciousness.
Recently, we have seen that thousands of people dedicated their lives to Krishna after hearing Srimad Bhagavatam from Srila Prabhupada.
Conclusion
So, we should always hear Srimad Bhagavatam from pure devotees of Krishna. In fact, the qualification of the speaker of Srimad Bhagavatam is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam itself. First qualification is that he should be a devotee of Krishna. And second qualification is that he should have heard Srimad Bhagavatam from a devotee of Krishna. Both are equally important.
For example, the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya chose Suta Goswami to speak about Srimad Bhagavatam because Suta Goswami had directly heard Srimad Bhagavatam from Sukadeva Goswami and also, he was a pure devotee of Krishna.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.4.2
śaunaka uvāca
sūta sūta mahā-bhāga
vada no vadatāṁ vara
kathāṁ bhāgavatīṁ puṇyāṁ
yad āha bhagavāñ chukaḥ
Śaunaka said: O Sūta Gosvāmī, you are the most fortunate and respected of all those who can speak and recite. Please relate the pious message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which was spoken by the great and powerful sage Śukadeva Gosvāmī.
Do It and You will give your heart to Krishna
- Read Srila Prabhupada’s commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam daily for at least 30 minutes.
- Hear Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad Bhagavatam lectures.
- When possible, visit Iskcon temple and attend morning Srimad Bhagavatam Class.
