Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam - Medicine for Conditioned Souls
The position of the conditioned soul in the material world is precarious. Bound by the stringent laws of nature, forced to accept birth and death, and plagued by the four defects of conditional life, the living entity wanders in ignorance. To rescue such suffering souls, Śrīla Vyāsadeva compiled the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. This great scripture acts not merely as a book of stories, but as a potent medicine meant to cure the material disease and restore the soul's original, enlightened state.
Plight of the Conditioned Soul
The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam accurately diagnoses the condition of the living entity. Unlike the Supreme Lord, who appears by His own sweet will, the conditioned soul is forced to accept a body according to karma. Due to the influence of the three modes of material nature, the soul acts like a madman, engaging in activities that only further bondage. Furthermore, all conditioned souls are subject to mistakes, illusion, cheating, and imperfect senses, rendering their independent attempts at knowledge futile.
- A conditioned soul is forced to accept a particular type of body by the higher authority of material laws, but here (in SB 3.20.8) it is clearly said that the Lord was not forced to accept the form of a boar by the external power.
- Srimad-Bhagavatam says, Generally, the conditioned soul is mad because he is always engaged in activities which are the causes of bondage and suffering.
- The modern scientists, however, are conditioned souls liable to so many errors and mistakes; therefore the safe side is to accept the authentic version of Vedic literatures, like Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is accepted unanimously by the great acaryas.
Specific Purpose of the Bhagavatam
Recognizing the helpless state of the illusioned living entities, the sage Vyāsadeva, under the instruction of Nārada Muni, compiled the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Its specific purpose is to relieve the conditioned souls from the clutches of māyā. Unlike works created by imperfect humans, the Bhāgavatam is without a trace of mistake or cheating. It is a scientific presentation of the Absolute Truth designed to counter the misconceptions of material existence.
- [[Vaniquotes:One can overcome all misconceptions and entanglement in the material world by practicing bhakti-yoga, & therefore Vyasadeva, acting on the instruction of Sri Narada, has very kindly introduced Srimad-Bhagavatam to relieve the conditioned souls from the clutches of maya|One can overcome all misconceptions and entanglement in the material world by practicing bhakti-yoga, & therefore Vyasadeva, acting on the instruction of Sri Narada, has very kindly introduced SB to relieve the conditioned souls from the clutches of maya.]]
- Srila Vyasadeva has specifically contributed to the illusioned living entities the science of God and the process of bhakti-yoga in his great literature Srimad-Bhagavatam, and the conditioned soul should fully take advantage of this great science.
- They (fulfilled prophecies) will indicate the positive standing of Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is without trace of mistake, illusion, cheating and imperfection, which are the four flaws of all conditioned souls.
Cure - Hearing and Chanting
The process of taking this medicine is simple: submissive hearing and chanting. Mahārāja Parīkṣit confirmed that the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa are the medicine for the conditioned soul. By regularly hearing the Bhāgavatam from a self-realized soul, the misgivings in the heart are cleansed, and the soul is gradually promoted from ignorance to transcendental knowledge.
- In the Second Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Maharaja Pariksit also explains that the pastimes and activities of Lord Krsna are medicine for the conditioned souls. If they simply hear about Krsna, they become relieved of the material disease.
- By reading and hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam as a scientific presentation, the conditioned souls will gradually be promoted to the higher status of transcendental knowledge after being freed from the illusory energy based on sense enjoyment.
- Srila Sukadeva Gosvami has therefore advised Maharaja Pariksit in the beginning of the Second Canto that every conditioned soul should engage himself in hearing and chanting the transcendental pastimes of the Lord.
Conclusion
For the conditioned soul wandering in the darkness of the material world, the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the only hope. It is the compassionate gift of the literary incarnation of God, specifically tailored to cure the madness of material identification. By taking shelter of this great scripture, one can break the cycle of birth and death and attain the highest perfection of life.
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 Conditioned Souls and 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.