IN the epic Srimad Bhagavata, the word srimad stands for sri, meaning beauty and prosperity of Goddess Lakshmi and mad means the form of madana or Kamadeva. As such, a combination of sri and mad stands for exquisitely beautiful. The word bhgavata is derived from the word bhaga, meaning the six divine graces like riches, vigour, fame, beauty, knowledge and renunciation. It is thus deduced that Srimad Bhagavata implies a gem with good qualities.
Composed by Sage Veda Vyasa, the epic has several skandas or parts. The worship of truth runs from Book One to Twelve and every portion talks of Lord Vasudeva in his incarnations as the divine boar, Lord Kapila, Lord Narasimha, the divine dwarf, Lord Sri Krishna, Lord Balarama and Lord Rama. As per popular belief, Srimad Bhagavata incorporates the body of Lord Sri Krishna in the Girdhari posture, because to keep his promise to gopis at the time of departure from Vrindavan, he says he would come back to them after completion of his Dwarka lila. He does not go back to his abode Vaikuntha but mingles into Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana to give company to the gopis.
In a similar manner the subsequent chapters list and explain the points to observe and each conveys a message for humankind to follow and be enlightened.
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