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The Bhagavata Purana is considered to be the purest and greatest of all the Puranas.

The great Sage Veda Vyasa was credited to have authored Srimad Bhagavatam.

Srimad means "beautiful" or "opulent," and Bhagavatam means "related to God." Hence, Srimad-Bhagavatam can be translated as "The Beautiful Story of God."

It invokes devotion towards Lord Vishnu and his various incarnations, primarily focusing on Krishna since he was the complete incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The story behind compiling SB as per SB itself is as Vedavyasa felt discontent even after compiling the Vedas, Puranas, Mahabharata, and Vedanta-sutra. So he inquired Sage Narada regarding the same; Narada then said "You have not actually broadcast the sublime and spotless glories of the Personality of Godhead. That philosophy which does not satisfy the transcendental senses of the Lord is considered worthless."

So on the advice of Narada, Vyasa meditated and the Bhagavata was manifest to him.

Are there any other references which indicate Bhagavata Purana is the foremost?

Even if people knew that it is the foremost then why do they refer to other puranas?

The Bhagavata Purana declares Lord Vishnu (Narayana) as Para Brahman Supreme Lord who creates unlimited universes and enters each one of them as Lord of Universe.Lord Vishnu engages in creation of 14 worlds within the universe as Brahma when he deliberately accepts rajas guna. Lord Vishnu himself sustains, maintains and preserves the universe as Vishnu when he accepts sattva guna and annihilates the universe at the end of maha-kalpa as Rudra when he accepts tamas guna.

The intense and personal bhakti described in the Bhagavata is directed toward Krishna as Vishnu in human form.

From the meaning of Srimad Bhagavatam itself it is clear that it describes the beautiful story of GOD(which is strictly monotheistic devoted to parabrahman Narayana/krishna) then why some people project their ishtadevata as the supreme or foremost even if they knew Narayana/Krishna is the Supreme?

The transcendental pleasure and completeness which vyasadeva felt after compiling the Bhagavata Purana was not felt after compiling Vishnu,shiva,padma puranas etc. even though they describe the transcendental glories and devotion of the deity to which the purana is dedicated why is it so ?

CDR
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Satya Sai Kiran Kumar
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  • 'Even if people knew that it is the foremost then why do they refer to other puranas'. This is explained in three ways. The Vaishnavas say: 'It is because they are tamasic and/or rajasic, thus they do not grasp the reality'. The Shaivites say: 'It is because Shiva Purana says Shiva is Supreme, so why do we need anything else?'. The Advaitins say: 'That same Rama/Krishna who is praised in Bhagavatam, is Brahman in Vedas, Shiva in Shaiva Puranas and Yogic texts. it is only the name which is different, the God is the same'. :) On a side note, some of your q's are opinion based leads 2 arguments. – Sai Sep 30 '15 at 15:47
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    Although personally I agree with your statement that it is the foremost, your question is primarily opinion based and am voting to close. – Swami Vishwananda Oct 01 '15 at 03:43
  • Here is a very good answer to your question in form of a seminar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JREYpBib_nc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ua_mH5j9gk –  Oct 01 '15 at 06:47
  • @swami vishwananda its not decided by individual opinion, it is well established one. It has some pramanas for being the foremost. It didn't became the foremost purana about the supreme person arbitrarily, and it needs to known widely, so as to decrease the ambiguity while considering a particular purana as a source of info. – Satya Sai Kiran Kumar Oct 01 '15 at 21:22
  • @sai The logic you explain might work well for other puranas like Vishnu, Shiva etc., but not Bhagavata Purana. That is the reason I am questioning it. – Satya Sai Kiran Kumar Oct 01 '15 at 21:25
  • @KIRANKUMAR Yeah Bhagavat Purana is considered foremost of puranas as far as I have heard. But the question of 'even if people knew that it is foremost why do they refer to other puranas' then the standard answer is, that it depends on which sect you are. If you worship Krishna as supreme, then Bhagavatam has all you need. If you worship Shiva as supreme, then why not read Shiva Purana, why restrict yourself to bhagavtam. If you believe all Gods are one, then why restrict yourself to any single purana? – Sai Oct 01 '15 at 21:40
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    @Sai As far as I know, no one restricts themselves to a single Purana or set of Puranas. ISKCON members still refer copiously to other Sattvik Puranas, Vaishnavas in general refer to non-Sattvik Puranas, etc. ISKCON believes that Krishna is supreme and that the Srimad Bhagavatam is the foremost text, but it's only a finitely long text, so it doesn't contain all possible information. So referring to other texts is still useful even if you think they should be taken with a grain of salt. – Keshav Srinivasan Oct 02 '15 at 04:30
  • @Sai Bhagavatam is not about a particular sect which declares their god as supreme, it describes the true nature of the absolute as he is. Vyasadeva compiled Bhagavatam after all the puranas and itihasas, after he felt incomplete. while studying a particular subject we consider a particular book as standard one and reference books improve our understanding of the subject.But ultimate interpretation of a theory is based on the standard book.Bhagavatam sets the pramana for the glories of the lord, his creation, duties of mankind,we may refer other puranas but ultimate answer can be one not many – Satya Sai Kiran Kumar Oct 02 '15 at 08:17
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    @KeshavSrinivasan Lord krishna and Srimad Bhagavatam are not proprietary of ISKCON(the organisation founded primarily to evoke the westerners about the supreme). Is not the belief of ISKCON that makes them supreme. References from other puranas like skanda Purana (Visnu-khanda 6.4.3) says "The Bhagavata and the Supreme Lord are always of the same nature – possessed of eternal existence, knowledge and bliss." Skanda Purana (5.16.40) "If the Bhagavata is not kept in one's house in the Kali Yuga, of what avail are collections of other scriptures by the hundreds and thousands? – Satya Sai Kiran Kumar Oct 02 '15 at 08:27
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    @KeshavSrinivasan other references include Padma Purana Uttara-khanda 193.3 "Of all the puranas,the Bhagavata is the greatest. In every line the sages glorify Sri Krsna in various ways."In the Garuda Purana "The Bhagavata is the authorized explanation of Brahma-sutras, and it is a further explanation of Mahabharata. It is the expansion of the gayatri-mantra and the essence of all Vedic knowledge.This Bhagavata, containing eighteen thousand verses, is known as the explanation of all Vedic literature."U may also question the saints of bhakti cult who praised lord krishna and his glories from SB. – Satya Sai Kiran Kumar Oct 02 '15 at 08:35
  • @KIRANKUMAR Instead of writing these quotes that you gave as comments it would be better to write them as an answer to the question. – brahma jijnasa Oct 02 '15 at 12:19
  • @brahmajijnasa I just want to know the views of the members. I will wait for sometime and seek better explanations(if any) for all my questions. – Satya Sai Kiran Kumar Oct 02 '15 at 12:54
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    @KIRANKUMAR To be clear, I wasn't trying to denigrate ISKCON or the Bhagavatam. Sai suggested that ISKCON, since it views Krishna as supreme, only references the Bhagavatam. I was just responding that ISKCON members also read all 18 Mahapuranas. In any case, if you want to know my views, I'm a Sri Vaishnava, so I think Krishna is an incarnation of Vishnu and that Vishnu is supreme. In any case, if you're a Gaudiya Vaishnava, you may be interested in my questions here: http://hinduism.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/gaudiya-vaishnavism – Keshav Srinivasan Oct 02 '15 at 14:00
  • @KIRANKUMAR Yeah I understand, I am just responding to the question that 'Why refer to other puranas?'. As Keshav said, it is possible that Bhagavata although very beautiful does not wholly satisfy the reader. Thus He refers to other puranas. :) For example, without talking about sects, if I consider Vishnu as Supreme, and I love that form dearly, why wouldn't I refer Vishnu purana? What is wrong in it. I am probably not understanding your question since we seem to be repeating ourselves. :) – Sai Oct 02 '15 at 14:31
  • @KeshavSrinivasan I apologize sincerely if I came across as branding ISKCON. What I intend to say is the same thing you are saying, and that is that there is no harm in refering to other puranas,. Each person has their own Ishta Deva and their own form which they love dearly and they will try to refer to those texts :). – Sai Oct 02 '15 at 14:32
  • @Sai This conversation has been moved to chat. – Keshav Srinivasan Oct 03 '15 at 07:30

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Garuda Purana Brahma (Moksha) Khanda praises the Bhagavata Purana to be the best Purana devoted to Vishnu. After that comes Vishnu Purana and then comes Garuda Purana.

It says:

In the Kali age, only three principal Puranas are devoted to Vishnu. Among these the Bhagavata Purana renders more good to the people. The Bhagavata Purana opens with the description of the origin of the universe; Vishnu, Brahma, Rudra and others. The wise declare knowledge to be manifold, consisting of various grades - high, low and middling. All that knowledge is found, in the Bhagavata Purana. Hence, Bhagavata is the highest of all Puranas. The Vishnu Purana comes next then comes Garuda. The three are principal Puranas in the Kali age.

Garuda Purana: Brahma(Moksha) Khanda, Chapter 1

Pradip Gangopadhyay
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  • my one of the question is whether any other reference which say SB is the foremost scripture about GOD but not Vishnu in particular. – Satya Sai Kiran Kumar Oct 01 '15 at 17:37
  • I am not aware of any such reference. – Pradip Gangopadhyay Oct 02 '15 at 11:14
  • @PradipGangopadhyay Kiran provided a lot of such references in the comment section above. – Keshav Srinivasan Oct 02 '15 at 14:04
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    I am wondering about the reliability of such recommendations given the intense sectarian atmosphere in the Puranic literature. Of course in the case of Srimad Bhagavatam the recommendation may be correct but still doubts remain. – Pradip Gangopadhyay Oct 02 '15 at 15:49
  • @PradipGangopadhyay I once came through a source (I can not exactly remember from where I heard that) which says Bhagavata Purana is the latest purana (In the sense After all 17 Maha puranas written Bhagavata Purana was written) then how Garuda Purana can mention that Bhagavata Purana is best ? – Eduru Jan 09 '17 at 10:01
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    @Eduru Bhagavata Purana was written before 500 ACE. Orientalists did try to prove that Bhagavata Purana was written very late. That view has been rejected long time ago. – Pradip Gangopadhyay Jan 09 '17 at 16:48
  • @Eduru That really doesn't matter. Once when all the Puranas were written, their author may have revised them. – brahma jijnasa Jan 10 '17 at 01:23
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There are several reasons why Srimad Bhagavatam is considered the foremost of all Puranas. Firstly what must be understand is the that Puranas mirror Sruti. They are called Puranas because they complete the Vedas (Puran means to complete). And just like the Vedas contain different categories of knowledge in accordance with the eligibility of different Jivas, so do the Puranas. Of all the Puranas, the Sattvic Puranas are considered greatest because pure knowledge arises from Sattva Guna. Of the Sattvic Puranas, Srimad Bhagavatam is considered topmost for several reasons. Jiva Goswami gives the summary of all these reasons in His Tattva Sandarbha:

yat khalu sarva puran-a jatam avirbhavya brahma sutram -ca praniyapy aparitustena avirbhavitam yasminn eva sarva sastra -saman-vayo drsyate sarva vedarth-a sutratena bhagavata nij a sutran-am akrtrima bhasya -bhutam -samadhi labdha-m laksanam gayatrim adhikrtya pravartitatvat

(Jiva Goswami writes): After bringing all the Puranas to light and compiling the Vedanta sutra, the powerful sage Vyasa was still not satisfied. Therefore he then manifested as a product of mature meditation this Bhagavatam, the natural commentary on his own sutras The coherent overview of all scriptures is found in this work, inasmuch as it begins under the auspices of the Gayatri mantra, which is distinguished as the foundation text for the purport of all the Veda

The reasons can be broken down as below

Garuda Purana states:

artho ’yam brahma-sutranam bharatartha-vinirnayah gayatri-bhasya-rupo ’sah vedartha-paribrmhitah grantho ’stadasa-sahasrah srimad-bhagavatabhidhah

"The Bhagavata is the authorized explanation of Brahma-sutras, and it is a further explanation of Mahabharata. It is the expansion of the gayatri-mantra and the essence of all Vedic knowledge. This Bhagavata, containing eighteen thousand verses, is known as the explanation of all Vedic literature."

Three features are brought up here. First Srimad Bhagavatam is the commentary of the Vedanta Sutras (which are the summary of Vedanta, which in turn is the essence of the Vedas), is is also an explanation of Gayatri (which is also the essence of the Vedas) and the meaning of Mahabharata (which is also considered to be the 5th Veda). This is confirmed in Bhagavatam itself:

sarva-vedanta-saram hi sri-bhagavatam isyate tad-rasamrta-trptasya nanyatra syad ratih kvacit

Srimad-Bhagavatam is declared to be the essence of all Vedanta philosophy. One who has felt satisfaction from its nectarean mellow will never be attracted to any other literature.(Bhag. 12.13.15)

Padma Purana (Uttara-khanda 193.3) states:

puranesu tu sarvesu srimad bhagavatam param yatra prati-padam krsno giyate bahudharsibhih

"Of all the puranas, the Bhagavata is the greatest. In every line the sages glorify Sri Krsna in various ways."

This is also confirmed in Bhagavatam itself:

srimad-bhagavatam puranam amalam yad vaisnavanam priyam yasmin paramahamsyam ekam amalam jnana param giyate tatra jnana-viraga-bhakti-sahitam naiskarmyam aviskrtam tac chrnvan su-pathan vicarana-paro bhaktya vimueyen narah

Srimad Bhagvatam is the spotless Purana. It is most dear to the vaisnava because it describes the pure and supreme knowledge of the paramahamsas. This Bhagavatam reveals the means for becoming free from all material work, together with the processes of transcendental knowledge, renunciation and devotion. Anyone who seriously tries to understand Srimad Bhagvatam, who properly hears and chants it with devotion, becomes completely liberated. (Bhag 12.13.18)

There are similiar verses found in Bhagavatam itelf

dharmah projjhita-kaitavo 'tra paramo nirmatsaranam satam vedyam vastavam atra vastu sivadmn tapa-trayonmulanam srimad-bhagavate maha-muni-krte kim va parair isvarah sadyo hrdy avarudhyate 'tra kytibhih susrusubhis tat-ksanat

Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhagavata Purana propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are fully pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. This beautiful Bhagavatam, compiled by the great sage Vyasadeva [in his maturity]' is sufficient in itself for God realization. What is the need of any other scripture? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhagavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is established within his heart. (Bhag 1.1.2)

nigama-kalpa-taror galitam phalam suka-mukhad amrta-drava-samyutam pibata bhagavatam rasam alayam muhuraho rasika bhuvi bhavukah

O expert and thoughtful men, relish Srimad Bhagvatam, the mature fruit of the desire tree of vedic literatures. It emanated from the lips of Sri Sukadeva Goswami. Therefore this fruit has become even more tasteful, although its nectarean juice was already relishable for all, including liberated souls. ( Bhag1.1.3) Jaya Nitaai!

Nitai dasa
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    Nice answer! Btw I'm concerned with this statement "is is also an explanation of Gayatri (which is also the essence of the Vedas)." I just searched S.B. and found mention of Gayatri just 18 times.. and everywhere it is used as general sense and not as explanation.. so I'm concerned Where is Gayatri explained in Srimad Bhagvatam?... also can't that Garuda Purana verse be a refrence to Devi Bhagvatam and not Srimad Bhagvatam....? – Tezz Nov 29 '16 at 02:30
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    ... because Devi Bhagvatam is also called Bhagvata Purana.. it also contains 18000 verses... it also calls itself as reflection and expansion of Vedas... it also describes story of Mahabharata... and it specifically deals with Explanation of Gayatri... with Gayatri Kavach, Gayatri Hridaym, Gayatri Sahasranaam.. http://sacred-texts.com/hin/db/db03.htm see the TWELVTH BOOK here.. – Tezz Nov 29 '16 at 02:32
  • @Tezz - Nice information abt. Devi Bhagvatam. – SwiftPushkar Nov 29 '16 at 07:03
  • @Tezz The first verse of Bhagavatam it seen as an elaboration of Gayatri (satyam param dhimahi). There is a book written by Bhaktivinoda Thakur, where He divides the verses of the Bhagavatam in the order of Sambandha, Abhideya and Prayojana corresponding to the sections of Gayatri. – Nitai dasa Nov 29 '16 at 08:45
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    @Tezz We Vaishnavs believe that the verses cannot refer to Devi Bhagavatam for many reasons. First of all, the Bhagavatam is a sattvic text, and the sattvic texts always glorify Lord Vishnu.(according to Padma Purana). Furthermore, JIva Goswami quotes a few verses (Skanda Purana, Prabhasa Khanda (7.1.2.39-42)) to confirm that the Bhagavatam can only refer to Srimad Bhagavatam not Devi Bhagavatam. Firstly Bhagavatam was written in Sveta Varaha Kalpa, it was spoken by Sukadeva to Parikshit and it has an explanation of the Hayagriva Brahmavidya. These are not found in devi bhagavatam. – Nitai dasa Nov 29 '16 at 08:55
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    So basically from the context of other verses, Jiva Goswami claims that the Bhagavatam status is given only to Srimad Bhagavatam not Devi Bhagavatam. Different Sampradayas will agree/disagree of course. – Nitai dasa Nov 29 '16 at 08:56
  • In a discussion,someone said that Linga Puran is Supreme(quoting the Narad Puran).He also says that any non Shaiva scripture is to be disregarded ,as per Skanda Puran.He says that the Bhagavad Gita,along with sattvik puranas(as per Padma Puran) are actually tamasik. https://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/58214685#58214685 – Amethyst Jun 03 '21 at 13:41
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**Are there any other references which indicate Bhagavata Purana is the foremost?**

The answer is given in ShreemadBhagvatam itself in it's Glory (Mahatmya Part) The story is of Bhakti Devi and Gyan-Vairagya both became unconscious due to kaliyuga.And Narada finding solution to awake them.Then sanakadik muni told Narada.

वेदोपनिषदां साराज्जाता भागवती कथा ।
  अत्युत्तमो ततो भाति पृथ्गभूता फलाकृति:।।

VedoPnishadaam SarraJaata Bhagvati Katha Attyuttamo Tatou Bhati PrugBhuta PhalaKruti

Meaning - Bhagvat Katha arose from essence of "Vedas & Upanishadas" , but it gives it's separate returns.So it became more fine than these.

इदं भागवतं नाम पुराणं ब्रह्मसम्मितम
  भक्तिज्ञानविरागाणं स्थापनाय प्रकाशितम।।

Idam Bhagvatam Puranam BrahmaSammitam BhaktiGyanViragaaNam Sthaapanaaya Prakaashitam

Meaning - This Bhagvat purana is compatible wirh Vedas Shree Vyasa Maharshi published this for establishment of "Bhakti , Gyan & "Vairagaya"

Its said that supreme lord (Bhagvanta) established himself in ShreeMadBhagvatam.As to minimize the ill effects of Kaliyuga.So according to some beliefs Supreme Lord Resides in this purana.

स्वकीयं यद्भवेत्तेजस्तच्च भगवतेs दधात ।
  तिरोधाय प्राविष्ठोsयं श्रीमदभगवद्भातार्णवम ।।61।।

Swakiyam YadbhakVettejaStachha Bhagvate Dhadhaat TiroDhaaya Pravishoyam ShreeMadBhagvtaRnavam

Meaning - And then Bhagavanta poured his Power**(Teja)** in Shreemad Bhagvatam & he disappeared.

Also its said that Thousand's of Ashwamedha & Hundreds of Vajapeys yagna even can't compit ShreemadBhagvat Purana

अश्वमेधसहस्राणि वाजपेयशतानि च ।
  शुकशास्त्र कथायाश्र्च कलां नार्हंति षोडशीम् ।।30।।

AshwamedhaSahasraani VajapeyaShataani cha Shukashastra kathaaYaashrchaKalaam Narhati ShodaShim

Meaning - Thousands of Ashwamedha Yagna and Hundred's of Vajapeya yagna's cant even compit with 16 th part of this purana.

Shree Shuka said -

श्रीमद्भागवतं पुरांतिलकं - ShreeMad Bhagvat is formost of all Puranas.

क्षेत्राणां चैव सर्वेषां यथा काशी ह्यानुत्तमा .।
  तथा पुराणव्रातानां श्रीमद्भागवतं द्विजा: ।।17।।

Meaning - As Ganga is formost in the Rivers , Kashi (Prayaga) among Tirthas Vishnu is formost in Devatas , And Shree Shankar Mahadeva is formost in Vaishnavas , is this purana among all the puranas.

So from above shlokas we can see why its considered as formost of puranas.And as said by Sai its one of the Sattivik puranas also.

SwiftPushkar
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  • The story of jnana and vairagya falling unconscious comes from a section in Padma purana that describes the bhagavata mahatmya. –  Jan 09 '19 at 09:47
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Lord Veda Vyasa in Srimad Bhagavata Mahatmya from Padma Purana records the conversation between Narada rishi & Kumaras that include Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana, Sanathkuma. Wherein, adyaya Two (2), Narada rishi asks thus in sloka 66-

छिन्दन्तु संशयं ह्येनं भवन्तोऽमोघदर्शनाः । विलम्बो नात्र कर्तव्यः शरणागतवत्सलाः ॥ ६६॥

For which Sanatkumara, The Emperor of Vedanta Samrajya explains thus:

यथा दुग्धे स्थितं सर्पिर्न स्वादायोपकल्पते । पृथग्भूतं हि तद्गव्यं देवानां रसवर्धनम् ॥ ६९॥

इक्षूणामादिमध्यान्तं शर्करा व्याप्य तिष्ठति । पृथग्भूता च सा मिष्टा तथा भागवती कथा ॥ ७०॥

He says a special flavor like that in ghee and in sugar is embedded in Srimad Bhagavata. Though they are the by-product of Milk & Sugar cane. He has also said:

वेदोपनिषदां साराज्जाता भागवती कथा । अत्युत्तमा ततो भाति पृथग्भूता फलाकृतिः ॥ ६७॥

आमूलाग्रं रसस्तिष्ठन्नास्ते न स्वाद्यते यथा । स भूयः संपृथग्भूतः फले विश्वमनोहरः ॥ ६८॥

Srimad Bhagavata is a special & delicious fruit! The same is elaborated in the attached link below and more:

enter link description here The flavor of Srimad Bhagavata as described by The Emperor of Vedanta

Mula Guru i.e. Guru of all Gurus, Lord Veda Vyasa in Srimad Bhagavata Mahatmya from Padma Purana records the conversation between Uddhava and Lord Krishna in third adhyaya. Uddhava praises Lord Krishna & seeks clarifications in sloka quoted below:

त्वं तु यास्यसि गोविन्द भक्तकार्यं विधाय च । मच्चित्ते महती चिन्ता तां श्रुत्वा सुखमावह ॥ ५५॥

Uddhave being worried that philosophies like Lord doesn't have Form nor attributes would prevail after disappearance of Lord Sri Krishna from earth. Hence he requests Lord Krishna to stay back on earth vide below sloka:

अतः सत्सु दयां कृत्वा भक्तवत्सल मा व्रज । भक्तार्थं सगुणो जातो निराकारोऽपि चिन्मयः ॥ ५८॥ त्वद्वियोगेन ते भक्ताः कथं स्थास्यन्ति भूतले । निर्गुणोपासने कष्टमतः किंचिद्विचारय ॥ ५९॥ इत्युद्धववचः श्रुत्वा प्रभासेऽचिन्तयद्धरिः । भक्तावलम्बनार्थाय किं विधेयं मयेति च ॥ ६०॥

Lord Sri Krishna clarifies Uddhava that he will not go to Vaikunta lock stock & barrel. But would stay back on earth in one of his form and be present in Srimad Bhagavata in the form of words constituting speech or in the form of Vangmaya vide below sloka:

स्वकीयं यद्भवेत्तेजस्तच्च भागवतेऽदधात् । तिरोधाय प्रविष्टोऽयं श्रीमद्भागवतार्णवम् ॥ ६१॥

The details of entire conversation & more is described in the below link :

Lord Sri Krishna’s Presence on Earth in this Kali Yuga

Hence, Srimad Bhagavata is a Physical form of Sri Krishna and should be kept on pedestal, Light deepa and offer prayers.

Hence, of all purnas, Srimad Bhagavata is Magnum opus of Lord Veda Vyasa and foremost.

Pandya
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    Welcome to Hinduism! Can you kindly add the translation? Not all here can read Hindi, Sanskrit other languages easily! – Agamas Tantras Feb 03 '19 at 04:11
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    While the slokas are as per the web site guidelines to quote reference to the source, a brief lead to the subject is also indicated. For complete translation, you may wish to follow the link.Thanks for your clarifications. – Srinath Shrothrium Feb 03 '19 at 04:30
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I will give one reference here to answer this question, but many answers are possible. I think the question is fair and a good one, but the answer depends on whom we ask. Among people who take Srimad Bhagavatam as the most important Purana, the reason widely varies, including some simply following the tradition & family belief. Therefore multitude of answers are possible for this question.

That said, here is a study on Matsya Purana by Professor Sri Ramachandra Dikshitar of University of Madras. On page 54 the author says the following (pasted as a screenshot below).

enter image description here

This is one example of how people consider Srimad Bhagavata Purana and hence hold it with esteem. Different people follow different reasons in their conclusions, and personally I do not fully agree with the author of the above passage. But I just wanted to give one example of how people view Srimad Bhagavata Purana, which is really a collection of many stories, in no particular order. Another reason is it is one of the major Puranas that deals with Lord Krishna's life as an avatara (in the 10th skanda), which is compelling. In a way one can take that as "Krishna Purana" in lack of better word. The other Puranas that deal with Lord Krishna's life are Brahma Vaivarta Purana, and Harivamsa (which is not a separate Purana, but considered a supplement of The Mahabharata). These are some of the key characteristics of Srimad Bhagavata Maha Purana, that could form the basis for some to treat this as the foremost of the Puranas.

Vidyarthi
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Yes. Srimad Bhagavatam is the greatest Purana -

  1. Srimad Bhagavatam Mahapurana manifests the sweetness of Lord Krishna in devotees -

"Know that Bhāgavata is that statement which spreads out and expands, manifesting to the devotees of Śrīkṛṣṇa the sweetness of (the devotion to or the life of) Śrīkṛṣṇa."

  • Chapter 4, Vaishnava Kanda, Skanda Purana
  1. Bhagavata alone can save people from Kali -

"It is a sacred text of eighteen thousand verses as composed by Vyāsa. It alone is the greatest support to those who are caught by the crocodile in the form of Kali."

  • Chapter 4, Vaishnava Kanda, Skanda Purana
  1. Bhagavata is the greatest Purana on earth -

"Knowing the salvation of king Parīkṣit, the lotus-born one compared the holy texts and the great Purāṇas. Among them Śrimad Bhāgavata came to be greater on the earth. The talk of Bhāgavata is difficult to be had even by gods."

  • Chapter 193, Uttara Kanda, Padma Purana.
  1. All sins of Kali runs away in front of Bhagavata -

"All these sins of Kali, afraid of the sound of Śrīmad Bhāgavata, run away like wolves at the roar of lion. Bhakti, along with Jñāna and Vairagya, producing the feeling of joy in each house, in each person, will sport happily."

  • Chapter 194, Uttara Kanda, Padma Purana.
  1. Shiva obtained power of ultimate anhilation after reading Bhagavata -

"The story of Bhāgavata was resorted to (read) by him for a period of one year. Thereby Sadāśiva obtained the power (to manage) the ultimate annihilation as well."

  • Chapter 3, Vaishnava Kanda, Skanda Purana.
Gokul Renjith
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If you mean Srimad Bhagavat Puraan it is not considered the foremost of all puraan except by Vaishnavs. In fact, according to Skanda Puraan it is a Taamsic one that is not meant for Brahmins. Sholkas 45-50 in the 2nd Adhyaya of Sambhav Khand which is part of Shiv Rahasya Khand of Sankara Samhita of Skanda MahaPurana, plainly state that the 10 Shaiva Puranas are Sattavik and 4 Vishnu Puranas are Tamasic.

दशशैव पुराणानि सात्विकानि विदुर्भुदः

वैष्णवानि च चत्वारि तामसानि मुनिश्वरः।

Before that it says -

विष्णोर्हि वैष्णवं तद्वत् तथा भागवतं तथा। नारदीय पुराणं च गारुडं वैष्णवं विदु:।।

Or Srimad Bhagavat Puraan is part of that category. Brahmaji himself in Shiva Purana also says that Vishnu is Taamsik in nature.

Srimad Bhagavat is a Vaishnav scripture that is considered foremost by Vaishnavs. There are verses in Vaishnav scriptures Garuda and Padma Purana which talk about this as other users have given. So Vaishnavs accept this and consider it foremost.

R. Kaushik
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    The question Is: Why (according to some beliefs), is the Srimad Bhagvad Purana the best Purana?. Your attempt at answer tries to prove it otherwise, which the question doesn't ask. Had the question been: Does some views exists on the Tamasik nature of Srimad Bhagvad?, then this answer would have been valid. Your answer is more focused on proving how and why Vishnu must be considered Tamasik (as per Shaiva literature). – Vivikta May 28 '21 at 05:17
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    Totally wrong!! I have answered the question in the last bit and the first bit is an explanation of the context. – R. Kaushik May 28 '21 at 16:40
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Before answering, anything let's just see the above premise given by the op only from Krishna Bhagwatam.

The story behind compiling SB as per SB itself is as Vedavyasa felt discontent even after compiling the Vedas, Puranas, Mahabharata and Vedanta-sutra. So he inquired Sage Narada regarding the same then Narada said that "You have not actually broadcast the sublime and spotless glories of the Personality of Godhead. That philosophy which does not satisfy the transcendental senses of the Lord is considered worthless."

So on the advice of Narada, Vyasa meditated and the Bhagavata was manifest to him.

But the premise itself is wrong. As all the 18 Maha Puranas were compiled before the Itihasa Mahabharata as mentioned in Mahabharata itself.

Mahabharata itself is the Summary of all the 18 Purānas. After completing all the 18 Purānas Vyasa composed Mahabharata which contains the summary of 18 Puranas, 4 Vedas, Upanishad, Itihāsas, etc etc.:

MBH 1:01:67-71.:

“Then the greatly glorious Vyasa, addressing Brahma Parameshthi, said, “O divine Brahma, by me a poem hath been composed which is greatly respected. The mystery of the Veda, and what other subjects have been explained by me; the various rituals of the Upanishads with the Angas; the compilation of the Puranas and history formed by me and named after the three divisions of time, past, present, and future; the determination of the nature of decay, fear, disease, existence, and non-existence, a description of creeds and of the various modes of life; rule for the four castes, and the import of all the Puranas”.

The Puranas can't contradict Mahabharata as all the 18 Purānas are dependent on Mahabharata as said by the sage Veda-Vyasa himself.:

MBH 1:02:380.:

“O ye Brahmana, as the four kinds of creatures (viviparous, oviparous, born of hot moisture and vegetables) are dependent on space for their existence, so the Puranas depend upon this history (Mahabharata)”.

All the 18 Puranas are equal and gives equal benifits after reading them which is same as the benifits of the devotion towards Lord Vishnu no distinction of Purānas as so called Sāttvik, Rajasik and Tāmasik gunas.:

MBH 18:06:97.:

“One devoted to Vishnu acquires (through reading this Mahabharata) that merit which is acquired by listening to the eighteen Puranas. There is no doubt in this”.

So, As SB was created after Mahabharata, which makes it as the 19th Purāna. But as there is no 19th Maha Purāna so this makes it as an Upa-Purāna.

Devi Bhagawatam 1:03:15-16.:

“Varuna Purâna. Kalika Purâna, Samva Purâna, Nandi Kes’wara Purâna, Saura Purâna, Purâna spoken by Parâs’ara, Âditya Purâna, Mahesvara Purâna, Bhâgavatam and Vasistha Purâna. These Upa Purânas are described by the Mahatmas.”

The real Bhagwata Mahapurana is as follows.:

Shiva Purana:5:44:129.:

“The Purana in which the story of the goddess Durga has been enshrined, it is called the ‘Bhagavatam’ or the ‘Devi Purana'”

Skanda Purana : Devi Bhagawata Mahatmayam : Ch1: verse 37.:

So the Bhagawatam the Purana of Devi is superior than the supreme and greatest among the scriptures which confer dharma, artha, kama and moksha, is the opinion (of learned ones)”.

Matsya Purana 53:20-22).:

“That Purana which begins with the description of the sacred Gayatri worship, and elaborates various dharma-s, and which contains the narration of the slaying of vrittrasura, is called ‘Bhagavatam’. That Purana which narrates the stories of the great men of ‘Sarasvata kalpa’, is known as ‘Bhagavatam’. One who writes Bhagavatam and gives away in charity along with a golden Lion, on the full-moon day, in the month of ‘Bhadrapada’, attains final emancipation. This Purana contains eighteen thousand verses”.

Devi Bhagavatam 6:31:26-27.:

“Vyâsa said :– O King! Maharsi Nârada thus kindling knowledge in me, went away; I also thought over his words. On the banks of the river Sarasvatî, I composed this (Devî) Bhâgavatam to pass away my time during the excellent period of Sârasvata Kalpa.”

It's the 5th Purāna in the list and the best one.:

Devi Bhagawatam 1:1:15b-18.:

“O Saumya! (one of gentle appearance) you have recited those Purânas endowed with five characteristics and full of many narratives; of these, the fifth Purâna, equivalent to the Vedas and with all the good qualities, the Bhâgavata yields Dharma and Kâma (religion and desires), gives liberation to those who desire for emancipation and is very wonderful; you mentioned this before but ordinarily; you did not dwell on this specially. Now these Brâhmanas are eager to hear gladly this divine auspicious Bhâgavata, the best of the Purânas; so kindly describe this in detail”.

Lists of the 18 Purānas in other Purānas and SB.:

Shiva Purana 5:44:120-122.:

“Brahma, Padma, vaishnava, Shaiva, Bhagavata, Bhavishya,...

Vishnu Purana 3:06:20.:

“Those who are acquainted with the Puráńas enumerate eighteen, or the Bráhma, Pádma, Vaishńava, Śaiva, Bhágavata, and…”.

Skanda Purana: Suta Samhita 01:7-8a.:

“First is the Brahma Purana, second comes the Padma, third is the Vishnu, fourth is Shiva, after that comes Bhagavatam (fifth) thereafter comes Bhavishyat Purana”.

Brahmanda Purana.: Lalita Sahasranama: verse 226,:

She is the fifth, the lordess of the five elements, and worshiped with methods comprising five”.

On the other hand, Krishna Bhagwatam (S.B.) placed itself as the 7th in the list.

SB 12:7:23-24.:

“The eighteen major Purāṇas are the Brahma, Padma, Viṣṇu, Śiva, Linga, Garuḍa, Nārada, Bhāgavata, Agni, Skanda, Bhaviṣya, Brahma-vaivarta, Mārkaṇḍeya, Vāmana, Varāha, Matsya, Kūrma and Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇas”


Great Sage Veda Vyasa was credited to had authored Srimad Bhagavatam.

That's kind of controversial.

See this. Part 2 - The Date and Authorship of the Bhāgavata Purāṇa.


Are there any other references which indicate Bhagavata Purana is the foremost?

So, many answers are already given. At this point, I will be just repeating them so m just skipping it and moving to the next one.


The Bhagavata Purana is considered to be the purest and greatest of all the puranas.

Even if people knew that it is the foremost then why do they refer to other puranas?

It's because, Almost all the purānas say this about themselves or other purānas. See this.

Plus, Mahā Purāna >>> Upa Purāna.

Q.: If it's an Upa Purāna then why Srimad Krishna Bhagwatam is praised as the best one.?

A.: Even Upa Purānas can be considered as the best.

See this answer. Upa Purānas like Kālika Purāna prauses itself as the supreme one among the Purānas.


The transcendental pleasure and completeness which vyasadeva felt after compiling the Bhagavata Purana was not felt after compiling Vishnu,shiva,padma puranas etc. even though they describe the transcendental glories and devotion of the deity to which the purana is dedicated why is it so ?

Srimad Krishna Bhagavata Purana II.7.51-52.:

Brahma tells Narada "This brief account of the manifestation of the Lord is what is called the Bhagavata. The Supreme Being Himself gave the knowledge of it to me. I have also given to you a brief account of the Lord's glories and attributes. You elucidate it with the help of your imaginative power in a way that will generate devotion in the mind of men for Sri Hari who is the soul and support of all."

So, The Conclusion along with my Opinion.:

It's just that after compiling the hard truth about reality with politics and betrayal viz the itihāsa Mahābhārata, he was relieved hearing the glories of lord in an imaginative story way. Basically, it's same as eating sugar for sweetening the mouth after eating a bitter medicine. Plus, he should also be happy for compiling his first Upa Purāna like his father the previous Vyāsa Parāshara.

I hope this clarifies all your queries. Prd..