History and Purpose of Compiling Srimad-Bhāgavatam

The compilation of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is a pivotal moment in cosmic history. Approximately 5,000 years ago, the great sage Vyāsadeva, empowered by the Supreme Lord, undertook the task of preserving Vedic knowledge for the coming Age of Kali. However, the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam stands apart from his other works. It was written after he had attained full spiritual maturity and under the direct order of his spiritual master, Nārada Muni. This article explores the divine history, the specific purpose, and the authoritative nature of this "literary incarnation of God."

Mature Work of Vyāsadeva

Śrīla Vyāsadeva is the compiler of all Vedic literatures, including the Mahābhārata, the Purāṇas, and the Vedānta-sūtra. Yet, the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam holds a unique position as his own commentary on the Vedānta-sūtra. It was compiled after he had fully realized the Absolute Truth, making it the most authoritative and "spotless" scripture meant for the ultimate good of all people.

• Srimad-Bhagavatam is the natural commentation on the Brahma-sutras compiled by the same author. This Brahma-sutra, or Vedanta-sutra, is meant for those who are already engaged in self-realization.
• The history of Srimad-Bhagavatam is also very glorious. It was compiled by Vyasadeva, who drew from his mature experience of transcendental knowledge under the instruction of Sri Narada Muni, his spiritual master.
• This Srimad-Bhagavatam is the literary incarnation of God, and it is compiled by Srila Vyasadeva, the incarnation of God. It is meant for the ultimate good of all people, and it is all-successful, all-blissful and all-perfect.

Instruction of Nārada Muni

Despite compiling the vast Vedic library, Vyāsadeva felt despondent. Nārada Muni diagnosed the cause of his dissatisfaction: Vyāsadeva had not sufficiently glorified the Supreme Personality of Godhead directly. Nārada instructed him to compile a work that would exclusively describe the pastimes and glories of Lord Kṛṣṇa, leading to the creation of the Bhāgavatam.

• Because people do not know the Absolute Truth, this Srimad-Bhagavatam was specifically compiled by Vyasadeva under the instruction of Narada.
• Srila Vyasadeva was not satisfied simply with compiling the Vedanta-sutras, but over and above this, by the advice of his spiritual master, Narada, he compiled the Srimad-Bhagavatam in order to understand the real import of Vedanta.
• Although Sukadeva Gosvami was a liberated soul from the very day of his birth, he still had to take lessons of Srimad-Bhagavatam from his great father, Vyasadeva, who compiled the Srimad-Bhagavatam under the instruction of another great soul, Narada Muni.

Mitigating the Miseries of Kali-yuga

The primary purpose of compiling the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam was compassion. Vyāsadeva foresaw the degraded condition of the people in the Age of Kali—short-lived, unfortunate, and misguided. To mitigate their material miseries and provide a path to liberation, he presented this narrative of the Lord's activities, which serves as a torchlight for the blind humanity of this age.

• The material miseries of a living entity can be directly mitigated by the linking process of devotional service. But the mass of people do not know this, and therefore the learned Vyasadeva compiled this Vedic literature - Srimad-Bhagavatam.
• Herein (SB 2.7.36) Brahma mentions the future compilation of Srimad-Bhagavatam for the short-lived persons of the Kali age.
• In the beginning of Srimad-Bhagavatam, First Canto, it is said that Vyasadeva, the learned sage, compiled this great Bhagavata Purana just to stop the ignorance of the mass of people.

Authenticity and Date of Compilation

Some scholars argue that the Bhāgavatam is a recent creation, attributing it to a man named Vopadeva. Śrīla Prabhupāda refutes this by pointing out that the text was compiled 5,000 years ago, citing its accurate "future tense" prediction of Lord Buddha (who appeared 2,600 years ago) as proof of its antiquity and divine origin.

• Srimad-Bhagavatam was compiled by Vyasadeva five thousand years ago, and Lord Buddha appeared about two-thousand-six-hundred years ago. Therefore the appearance of Lord Buddha was foretold, in future tense. This is called sastra.
• Some Mayavadi scholars argue that Srimad-Bhagavatam was not compiled by Sri Vyasadeva. And some of them suggest that this book is a modern creation written by someone named Vopadeva.
• According to revealed scriptures and astrological calculation, the age of Kali is in its five thousandth year. Therefore, Srimad-Bhagavatam was compiled not less than five thousand years ago.

Conclusion

The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the sufficient means for God realization. Compiled by the Lord's incarnation to guide humanity through the darkness of Kali-yuga, it remains the ultimate authority on spiritual life. By understanding the history and purpose of its compilation, one can appreciate the depth of mercy that Vyāsadeva and Nārada Muni have bestowed upon the world.

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Compiling the Srimad-Bhagavatam. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.