We
must know the present need of human society. And what is that
need? Human society is no longer bounded by geographical limits
to particular countries or communities. Human society is broader
than in the Middle Ages, and the world tendency is toward one
state or one human society. The ideals of
spiritual communism,
according to Srimad-Bhagavatam, are based more or less on the
oneness of the entire human society, nay, of the entire energy
of living beings. The need is felt by great thinkers to make
this a successful ideology. Srimad-Bhagavatam will fill this
need in human society. It begins, therefore, with the aphorism
of Vedanta philosophy janmady asya yatah to establish the ideal
of a common cause.
Human society, at the present moment, is not in the darkness of
oblivion. It has made rapid progress in the field of material
comforts, education and economic development throughout the
entire world. But there is a pinprick somewhere in the social
body at large, and therefore there are large-scale quarrels,
even over less important issues. There is need of a clue as to
how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity
with a common cause. Srimad-Bhagavatam will fill this need, for
it is a cultural presentation for the respiritualization of the
entire human society.
Srimad-Bhagavatam should be introduced also in the schools and
colleges, for it is recommended by the great student-devotee
Prahlada Maharaja in order to change the demoniac face of
society.
sri-prahrada uvaca
kaumara acaret prajno
dharman bhagavatan iha
durlabham manusam janma
tad apy adhruvam arthadam
"Prahlada Maharaja said: One who is sufficiently intelligent
should use the human form of body from the very beginning of
life--in other words, from the tender age of childhood--to
practice the activities of devotional service, giving up all
other engagements. The human body is most rarely achieved, and
although temporary like other bodies, it is meaningful because
in human life one can perform devotional service. Even a slight
amount of sincere devotional service can give one complete
perfection."
(Srimad Bhagavatam 7.6.1)
Disparity in human society is due to lack of principles in a
godless civilization. There is God, or the Almighty One, from
whom everything emanates, by whom everything is maintained and
in whom everything is merged to rest. Material science has tried
to find the ultimate source of creation very insufficiently, but
it is a fact that there is one ultimate source of everything
that be. This ultimate source is explained rationally and
authoritatively in the beautiful Bhagavatam, or
Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Srimad-Bhagavatam is the transcendental science not only for
knowing the ultimate source of everything but also for knowing
our relation with Him and our duty toward perfection of the
human society on the basis of this perfect knowledge. It is
powerful reading matter in the Sanskrit language, and it is now
rendered into English elaborately so that simply by a careful
reading one will know God perfectly well, so much so that the
reader will be sufficiently educated to defend himself from the
onslaught of atheists. Over and above this, the reader will be
able to convert others to accepting God as a concrete principle.
Srimad-Bhagavatam begins with the definition of the ultimate
source. It is a bona fide commentary on the Vedanta-sutra by the
same author, Srila Vyasadeva, and gradually it develops into
nine cantos up to the highest state of God realization. The only
qualification one needs to study this great book of
transcendental knowledge is to proceed step by step cautiously
and not jump forward haphazardly like with an ordinary book. It
should be gone through chapter by chapter, one after another.
The reading matter is so arranged with its original Sanskrit
text, its English transliteration, synonyms, translation and
purports so that one is sure to become a God-realized soul at
the end of finishing the first nine cantos.
The Tenth Canto is distinct from the first nine cantos because
it deals directly with the transcendental activities of the
Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna. One will be unable to capture
the effects of the Tenth Canto without going through the first
nine cantos. The book is complete in twelve cantos, each
independent, but it is good for all to read them in small
installments one after another.
I must admit my frailties in presenting Srimad-Bhagavatam, but
still I am hopeful of its good reception by the thinkers and
leaders of society on the strength of the following statement of
Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.5.11):
tad-vag-visargo janatagha-viplavo
yasmin prati-slokam abaddhavaty api
namany anantasya yaso 'nkitani yac
chrnvanti gayanti grnanti sadhavah
"On the other hand, that literature which is full with
descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame,
form and pastimes of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a
transcendental creation meant to bring about a revolution in the
impious life of a misdirected civilization. Such transcendental
literatures, even though irregularly composed, are heard, sung
and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest."
Om tat sat
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Dated at Delhi
December 15, 1962