Srimad Bhagavatam — supreme of 18 Mahapuranas. 12 cantos, 18,000 verses. By Vedavyasa.
Content: from creation to Krishna-nirvana. Main: 10th canto (Krishna-leela). Shukadeva narrated to King Parikshit in 7 days.
✦ 12 Cantos
1-2: creation-tattva, avatars summary.
3-4: Brahma-Narada, Dhruva.
5-6: heaven-hell, Ajamila.
7-8: Prahlada, Gajendra, samudra-manthan.
9: Surya-Chandra dynasty, Ram-katha.
10: Krishna-leela (largest).
11: Uddhava-Gita.
12: Kali Yuga, Markandeya.
✦ Key Teachings
Bhakti is supreme path.
9 forms of bhakti: shravan, kirtan, smaran, pad-sevan, archan, vandan, dasya, sakhya, atma-nivedan.
In Kali Yuga, nama-sankirtan supreme.
Bhagavata-dharma = love-dharma.
Krishna = Supreme.
✦ Reading Method
Daily 1-2 chapters.
Complete: 30-90 days.
Saptah path: 7 days.
Study from guru best.
Complete-path fruit: moksha.
Hindi translation available (Gita Press).
✦ Special Days
Bhagavata Jayanti: Bhadrapad Shukla Navami.
Krishna Janmashtami.
Utthan Ekadashi: month-path start.
Govardhan Puja.
Kartik month.
📚Sources & References
Content in this article is verified against the following classical and modern authoritative sources. Readers may independently verify against the original sources.
- ▪Surya Siddhanta — classical Sanskrit astronomical text (~5th century CE)
- ▪Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra — foundational text on Vedic astrology by Maharishi Parashara
- ▪Muhurta Chintamani by Ram Daivajna (16th century) — standard reference for muhurat selection
- ▪Astronomical Algorithms by Jean Meeus (Willmann-Bell, 1998) — basis for all astronomical computations on this site
- ▪Lahiri Ayanamsa — standard sidereal reference adopted by the Indian Calendar Reform Committee (1955)
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
Gita or Bhagavatam?▼
Gita: 700 verses, essence. Bhagavatam: 18000 verses, expansion. Both complement. Gita first.
When written?▼
By Vyasa post-Mahabharata (~3000 BCE). Shukadeva narrated to Parikshit.
🔗Related Topics
Note: This content is published for educational and cultural reference. For personal religious or astrological decisions, please consult a qualified pandit or jyotishi.