The Art of Studying Srimad Bhagavatam | Amarendra Dasa
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the spotless Purāṇa. It is most dear to the Vaiṣṇavas because it describes the pure and supreme knowledge of the paramahaṁsas. This Bhāgavatam not only reveals the means for becoming free from all material work but also gives us the processes of transcendental knowledge, renunciation, and devotion. Anyone who seriously tries to understand Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, who properly hears and chants it with devotion, becomes completely liberated.
Despite knowing about the glories of the hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, we still find it difficult to make it a part of our everyday life. Even if we do start reading the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, going through all the purports takes a long time. If somebody with his regular reading reaches the 6th or 7th canto, he may not remember what he read in 2nd or 3rd canto. We have come across many devotees who are in fear to even start reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam simply thinking about its vastness.
Following the techniques of the Sadhus
After inquiring from number of senior devotees about various ways of studying Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam we have devised an very simple and easy way of taking shelter of Srimad Bhagavatam.
Self Study of Srimad Bhagavatam
Our approach will be to read Srila Prabhupada’s Translations of the verses in the English language. Once you start reading only the translations, it appears like a story & you can easily experience a flow. It is like the same experience one gets while reading Krishna book written by Srila Prabhupada. With only 15-20 minutes per day, you can complete one chapters translations.
Along with reading translations, We encourage devotees to continue their regular studying of reading Srimad Bhagavatam with the purports. In these purports, Srila Prabhupada has summarized the teachings of all the acharyas, so it is very important to take shelter of Srila Prabhupada’s purports every day.
The Self study course includes reading of one chapters translations and one verse with its purport every day. You can increase reading of chapters per day and verse per day as per availability of your time.