Books: First Book Bhagavad Gita

Books
Book 1
The first book introduces the Bhagavata, with a dialogue between sages Vyasa and
Narada.[102][103] They discuss the weaknesses in Bhagavad Gita, calling it the philosophical
treatise of the Mahabharata, thereafter declare that the monism and oneness taught in Upanishads
is too abstract. They assert that there is a need for a practical document that distills the means to
a spiritual life. Sage Narada then states, "when he meditated on Self in Self through Self", he
realized that he was doing Bhakti.[104] Inspired by the statements of Narada, claims the text in
Book 1 chapter 18, Vyasa wrote Bhagavata Purana. He taught the entire Purana to Shuka, his
young son. Shuka leaves to roam the world, and meets King Parikshit, who is dying on the bank
of the river Ganges. Several sages gather around him, including teenage Shuka. Parikshit asks
Shuka what he should do to prepare for death. Shuka's reply constitutes the Book 1 and 2 of the
Bhgavata.[9][105] The Book 1 is notable for the following pivotal statement of Krishna sects'
theology,

Krishna is Bhagavan, himself
Bhagavata Purana, 1.3.28[105]
Book 2
In Book 2, Shuka tells Parikshit that when one is in terminal condition and expecting death, one
should become free of the fear of death by letting go of all attachments to likes and dislikes,
home and family.[106] They should do Yoga, by controlling the breath and mind and
concentrating on the sacred Aum. Shuka explains the theory of Yoga, of bhakti, different types
of dharana, the nature of Bhagavan, and the liberation for a yogi. Book 2 also presents a theory
of cosmology, a theory on human anatomy, how human body has all the Vedic gods in it
(Sattvic), ten sensory organs and abilities (Rajasic), five material elements (Tamasic), as well as
the universal Purusha.[107] A definition of Dharma and pleasant fruits of a moral-ethical life are
listed in Chapter 7 and 8 of Book 2. In response to Parikshit's questions, Shuka describes
creation and the avatars of Vishnu, concluding with a description of the ten characteristics of a
Purana.[9] The relationship of Vishnu to the Atman (soul, self) in every living being is
summarized as follows,
Vishnu is Atman in each being, manifests Himself in action consciousness and will.
Brahma is the propelling power in the involution of beings, which gives them their physical
body.
Vishnu is the propelling force in the evolution of beings through Prana (life), sensation, intellect
and lastly the spiritual faculties.
Bhagavata Purana, 2.9[108]

The ten avatars of Vishnu, (Clockwise, from top left) Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Vamana, Krishna, Kalki,
Buddha, Parshurama, Rama and Narasimha, (in centre) Krishna
Book 3
Vidura's pilgrimage to various holy places provides the backdrop for the stories and spiritual
teachings in Book 3. Near the Yamuna River Vidura meets Uddhava, who gives him the news of
the Kurukshetra War and about Krishna's death in chapter 1 of Book 3 (this is described in
greater detail in chapters 30 and 31 of Book 11 as well).[109] Vidura then meets the sage
Maitreya, and learns how the world came into being, the divisions of time, and other subjects of
cosmology. The story of the birth of Hiranyakasipu and Hiranyaksa is told, including the latter's
death at the hands of Varaha, the boar avatar of Vishnu. An important story is the tale of
Devahuti and her son Kapila, thus folding in one version of the teachings of the Samkhya school
of Hindu philosophy. Kapila's Samkhya teachings help lead her to final liberation.[9]
The third book also includes Maitreya's theory on the qualities of Supreme Truth and of the
individual self (atman, soul).[110]
It is interesting to note that the 31st chapter provides a detailed description of human fertilization
and embryo-genesis comparable to modern embryology. Below is the translation of verse 3.31.2
describing the embryo genesis during the first 10 days:

[111]
kalala tv eka-rtrea paca-rtrea budbudam dahena tu karkandh pey aa v tata

param
word translation: kalalam name of the product of ovam with sperm ; tu then; eka-rtrea -
by one night; paca-rtrea by the fifth night; budbudam a bubble; daa-ahena in ten
days; tu then; karkandh like a seed; pe a lump of flesh; uam an egg; v or;
tata thence; param afterwards.
TRANSLATION On the first night, kalalam is formed, and by the fifth night it forms into a
bubble. On the tenth night it is like a jujuberry, and after that, it gradually turns into a flesh in the
form of an egg. It then goes on to say that by 4 weeks the head and body can be identified.
Book 4
The story of Daksha and his sacrifice is told, in which he mocks Shiva in front of Dakshayani
his own daughter and Shiva's consortresulting in Dakshayani's self-immolation, which later
came to be known by one of her names, Sati. The legend of Dhruva's penance and devotion to
Vishnu is also recounted, along with the related story of king Prithu. The book ends with the
recounting of the renunciation and liberation of the Pracetas brothers.[9]
Book 5
This is the story of Manu's sons and their children leads eventually to Bharat and a description of
the world, the sun and its course, the moon and the planets, the regions below the earth, and the
twenty-eight hells (naraka).[9]
Book 6
Book 6 includes the story of Ajmila, who reached the supreme abode Vaikuntha as a reward for
uttering the syllables "Na-ra-ya-na" on his deathbed, even though he was only intending to call
his son. The story of the son of the Praceta brothers is also recounted, along with the victory of
Indra over Vivarpa. Book 6 ends with the birth of the Maruts.[9] Like all books, the chapters of
Book 6 are suffused with mythology, cosmology and philosophical themes, such as the nature of
existence before the origin of universe,
In the beginning, I alone existed. There was nothing else as internal or external. I was pure
consciousness and unmanifested. There was deep sleep everywhere.
Bhagavata Purana 6.4.46-6.4.47, Translated by Daniel Sheridan[112]

Book 7
A relief at 12th-century Chennakesava Temple, Karnataka depicting the Purana story of Narasimha
destroying a demon king who persecutes his subjects and son for their religious beliefs.
The main portion of the seventh book is dedicated to the well known story of Hiranyakaipu, his
son Prahlada, and the death of Hiranyakaipu at the hands of Narasimha, an avatar of Vishnu.
This version expands on the story of Prahlada as told in the Vishnu Purana, and is the form that
is most commonly told in Hinduism. Prahlada is considered a great devotee of Vishnu, and
describes the process of bhakti toward Bhagavan.[9]
In Book 7, the text states that, "Bhagavan is one without a second".[113] This view resonates the
nondualism in other Books of the text, such as the Book 3 which declares Brahma to be
"immutable Self" in all beings, all prevading and synonymous with the Supreme Deity
(Vishnu).[113] This same reverence for the non-dual perspective is restated in Chapter 15 of Book
7 as,
The sage shaking off the three dream states (waking, dreaming, dreamless sleeping) through
understanding himself meditates on the non-duality of thought (bhavadvaitam), the non-duality
of action (kriyadvaitam), and the non-duality of substance (dravyadvaitam).
Bhagavata Purana 7.15.62-7.15.63, Translated by Daniel Sheridan[114]
Book 8
The description of the six past Manvantaras (ages or time periods of Manu) and the seven future
ages of Manu includes several stories, many involving the avatars of Vishnu. Nine chapters are
dedicated to the oft told story of Vishnu's Vamana (dwarf) avatar and his defeat of Bali. The
story of the churning of the ocean of milk[115] is also recounted, which is done with the help of
the Kurma avatar of Vishnu.[9]
Book 9

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Bhagavata Purana, 1.3.28[105]

Bhagavata Purana, 2.9[108]

kalala tv eka-rtrea paca-rtrea budbudam dahena tu karkandh pey aa v tata

Bhagavata Purana 6.4.46-6.4.47, Translated by Daniel Sheridan[112]

Bhagavata Purana 7.15.62-7.15.63, Translated by Daniel Sheridan[114]

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