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Mahapurana #5 of 18 · sattvic · Vishnu

श्रीमद्भागवत पुराण

Bhagavata Purana

Śrīmad Bhāgavata Purāṇa

Verses: 18,000 · Best known for: Krishna-charita; Bhakti-yoga par excellence

Central theme

The supreme glorification of Krishna as Bhagavan and the path of pure devotion (bhakti)

Summary

The crown jewel — 12 cantos (skandhas) culminating in the 10th (Krishna-charita). The basis of every Krishna-bhakti tradition from Chaitanya to the modern. Sage Suka narrates to Parikshit in his final 7 days.

Notable stories + sections

  • Krishna’s childhood + raas-lila (Canto 10)
  • 24 avatars of Vishnu
  • Dhruva, Prahlada, Ajamila, Gajendra-moksha
  • Uddhava-Gita (Canto 11)

Why read it

Spiritual classic of bhakti — Tulsidas, Chaitanya, Vallabha all rooted here.

All 18 Mahapuranas