The seven-day path
Book Zero, then seven days.
The Mahatmya prescribes hearing the Bhagavata in seven days. Our eight volumes keep that practice: Book Zero is the charter, and Books One to Seven are the seven days.
- 0 Book Zero Mahatmya Bound
- 1 Book One 1.1 – 3.22 In production
- 2 Book Two 3.23 – 5.14 Planned
- 3 Book Three 5.15 – 7.15 Planned
- 4 Book Four 8.1 – 10.3 Planned
- 5 Book Five 10.4 – 10.54 Planned
- 6 Book Six 10.55 – 11.13 Planned
- 7 Book Seven 11.14 – 12.13 Planned
The day divisions follow the most widely kept traditional scheme; the seven-day hearing itself is prescribed in the Mahatmya, chapter six.
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Before the seven days
Book Zero — Srimad Bhagavata Mahatmya
Why the Bhagavata must be heard in this age
Mahatmya
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Day One
Book One
The question at Naimisharanya, Shuka’s answer, and the making of the world
Skandha 1, 2, 3.1–22 · 1.1 – 3.22 · ends at the marriage of Kardama and Devahuti
In production Go to Book One ›
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Day Two
Book Two
Kapila’s teaching to his mother, then the kings and the renouncers — Dhruva, Prithu, Rishabha, Bharata
Skandha 3.23–33, 4, 5.1–14 · 3.23 – 5.14 · ends at Jada Bharata
Planned Go to Book Two ›
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Day Three
Book Three
The worlds below, and the boy who would not stop — Ajamila, Vritrasura, Prahlada and Nrisimha
Skandha 5.15–26, 6, 7 · 5.15 – 7.15 · ends at the end of Skandha Seven
Planned Go to Book Three ›
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Day Four
Book Four
The churning, and a child born at midnight — Gajendra, the ocean, Vaman, the dynasties
Skandha 8, 9, 10.1–3 · 8.1 – 10.3 · ends at the birth of Krshn
Planned Go to Book Four ›
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Day Five
Book Five
Vrindavan — from Gokula to Mathura to Dwarka
Skandha 10.4–54 · 10.4 – 10.54 · ends at the marriage of Rukmini
Planned Go to Book Five ›
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Day Six
Book Six
The Dwarka years, and Uddhava’s instruction begun
Skandha 10.55–90, 11.1–13 · 10.55 – 11.13 · ends at the Hamsa-gita
Planned Go to Book Six ›
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Day Seven
Book Seven
The departure — the Uddhava Gita completed, the end of the Yadus, Kali, and Parikshit’s death
Skandha 11.14–31, 12 · 11.14 – 12.13 · ends at the end of the telling
Planned Go to Book Seven ›
How the hearing is kept
The Mahatmya’s own rule for the hearing: from sunrise for about three and a half praharas each day, a short midday break for kirtan, the volume installed and honoured, and the completion on the seventh day.