Shrimad Bhagavat : The Story of Bhakti, Leela and Moksha
Shrimad Bhagavat: The Story of Bhakti, Leela and Moksha : The Shrimad Bhagavat is not just a scripture, it is the heart of devotion in Sanatan Dharma. It is the most beautiful expression of pure bhakti where stories touch the soul and teachings guide the seeker.
What is the Shrimad Bhagavat?
The Shrimad Bhagavat is one of the 18 Mahapuranas and is dedicated entirely to Bhagwan Vishnu and his incarnations, especially Shri Krishna.
Composed by: Sage Ved Vyasa
Language: Sanskrit
Verses: Over 18,000 shlokas
Structure: Divided into 12 Cantos (Skandhas)
It is not a dry philosophical book, but a living river of divine stories, songs, and wisdom.
Key Themes of the Bhagavat
1. Bhakti is Supreme
The Bhagavat teaches that in the Kaliyuga, the simplest and most effective path to Moksha (liberation) is devotion to God — especially through hearing, chanting, and remembering His name.
2. Leela (Divine Play of God)
The text contains Krishna Leela — the childhood, youth, and divine acts of Bhagwan Krishna that fill the heart with love and awe.
3. Moksha (Liberation)
The Shrimad Bhagavat shows that loving God without desire for reward leads to the highest bliss and freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
Highlights from the 12 Skandhas (Cantos)
Skandha Summary
1 Introduction, birth of Parikshit, Vyasa's restlessness, Narada's guidance
2 Description of cosmic form (Virat Purusha), beginnings of creation
3 Story of Kapila Muni and Devahuti — Sankhya philosophy
4 Stories of Dhruva and King Prithu
5 Tale of King Rishabhdev and his son Bharat
6 Salvation of Ajamila through “Narayan” naam
7 Story of Prahlad and Narasimha Avatar
8 Vamana Avatar, churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan)
9 Genealogies of kings, birth of Lord Rama
10 Krishna Leela — birth, childhood, Ras Leela, killing of Kansa, Dwaraka
11 Uddhava Gita — Krishna’s final teachings before leaving Earth
12 Kaliyuga’s characteristics, closing prophecies and moksha path
The Power of Listening
The Bhagavat emphasizes Shravan — the act of listening to stories of God with love and faith. It is believed ]by listening to Shrimad Bhagavat, one can cleanse their mind, awaken bhakti, and attain liberation.
“Sravanam kirtanam Visnoh smaranam…”
— (Bhagavat 7.5.23)
The nine forms of devotion begin with listening to stories of God.
Saints like Tulsidas, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Vallabhacharya, and others drew deep inspiration from it. Today, people host Bhagavat Saptah — for spiritual growth, peace, or memory of a loved one.
Relevance in Modern Life
In a world full of stress and materialism, the Bhagavat brings us back to the simplicity of love and surrender. Its stories teach us to:
Live with compassion (like Krishna)
Serve parents and guru (like Dhruva)
Chant the Divine Name with faith (like Ajamila)
Stay humble and loving in devotion
“Krishna’s pastimes are not mythology — they are the doorway to spiritual joy.”