Hare Krsna,
The importance of receiving knowledge through the parampara (disciplic succession) system is cited repeatedly in our Gaudiya Vaisanava sampradaya. Srimad Bhagavatam is a collection of conversations spoken by pure-hearted devotees like Sukadeva Goswami and Pariksit Maharaja, Suta Goswami and Saunakadi Rsis, Maitreya and Vidura, etc. Along with the contents of these conversations, it’s a great learning experience to look at the wonderful mood and attitude of the speakers and hearers, and the consciousness in which they discuss hari-katha. A speaker of Srimad Bhagavatam must be authoritative and competent in conveying its real meaning, having personally realized the subject matter. To receive this Vedic knowledge, one must approach a spiritual master with submission, inquire in a humble mood and hear the explanations attentively.
In this lesson, we have seen Maitreya Rsi narrating the topics of Srimad Bhagavatam to Vidura with relish. Maitreya felt happy to have such glorious company as Vidura. He considered the company of Vidura most desirable because such association can accelerate one’s dormant propensities for devotional service. Similarly Sanat-kumara and the sages from the higher planets also heard Srimad Bhagavatam from Sankarsana. This is the way of the paramparā system. Although Sanat-kumāra, the well-known great saintly Kumāra, was in the perfect stage of life, still he heard the message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa.
This means that Srimad Bhagavatam is so relishable that both the hearers and speaker want to relish it again and again.
SB 1.1.3: O expert and thoughtful men, relish Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the mature fruit of the desire tree of Vedic literatures. It emanated from the lips of Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Therefore this fruit has become even more tasteful, although its nectarean juice was already relishable for all, including liberated souls.
“By submissively hearing this transcendental literature, one can attain the full pleasure of his heart’s desire. But one must be very careful to hear the message from the right source. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is exactly received from the right source. It was brought by Nārada Muni from the spiritual world and given to his disciple Śrī Vyāsadeva. The latter in turn delivered the message to his son Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī, and Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī delivered the message to Mahārāja Parīkṣit just seven days before the King’s death.” (SB 1.1.3 P)
The ripened fruit of Srimad Bhagavatam has come down carefully through the chain of disciplic succession without change or disturbance. Therefore, we must be very eager to hear and discuss the topics of Srimad Bhagavatam in the association of sincere devotees who follow disciplic succession strictly. Only pure devotees can churn the nectar out of Srimad Bhagavatam. Our life become successful and perfect when we come in contact with the book Bhāgavatam as well as with the devotee bhāgavata, who knows what the Bhāgavatam. We are extremely fortunate to receive Srimad Bhagavatam from a maha-bhagavata – our dearest Srila Prabhupada. It is a pleasure to read the translation and purports of His Divine Grace who came in perfect disciplic succession. Personally, I can say my heart and life has been transformed by coming in contact with Srimad Bhagavatam by His Divine Grace.
It’s a pleasure and good fortune to study Srimad Bhagavatam in this forum.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 