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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Canto 1 · 19 chapters · 808 verses · 13 stories
Creation
Canto 1 introduces the sages’ questions, Sūta Gosvāmī’s teachings on devotional service, and the background of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. It recounts Kṛṣṇa’s care for the Pāṇḍavas, their eventual retirement, and Parīkṣit’s life until his meeting with Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Throughout, Kṛṣṇa is revealed as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose lotus feet are the supreme goal.
What this canto speaks about · the ten subjects
Īśānukathā 374Mukti 104Manvantara 98Poṣaṇa 80Nirodha 50Ūti 46Āśraya 42Sarga 5Sthāna 5Visarga 4
- 1Chapter 1Questions by the SagesThe sages respectfully question Sūta Gosvāmī, eager to hear Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes in the Age of Kali.Mostly Īśānukathā ·23 verses · The sages’ eager questions
- 2Chapter 2Divinity and Divine ServiceSūta explains how hearing about Kṛṣṇa and rendering devotional service purify the heart.Mostly Mukti ·34 verses · The sages’ eager questions
- 3Chapter 3Kṛṣṇa Is the Source of All IncarnationsSūta describes the Lord’s incarnations and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam as His literary incarnation.Mostly Īśānukathā ·44 verses · The sages’ eager questions
- 4Chapter 4The Appearance of Śrī NāradaThe sages inquire about Parīkṣit, while Sūta describes Vyāsadeva’s division of the Vedas and dissatisfaction.Mostly Īśānukathā ·33 verses · Vyāsadeva seeks satisfaction
- 5Chapter 5Nārada’s Instructions on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam for VyāsadevaNārada urges Vyāsadeva to describe the Lord’s glories and recalls his own service to sages.Mostly Īśānukathā ·40 verses · Vyāsadeva seeks satisfaction · Nārada’s devotion awakens
- 6Chapter 6Conversation Between Nārada and VyāsadevaNārada recounts seeing Kṛṣṇa within his heart and becoming fixed in unbroken devotional service.Mostly Īśānukathā ·38 verses · Nārada’s devotion awakens
- 7Chapter 7The Son of Droṇa PunishedVyāsadeva compiles Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; Arjuna captures Aśvatthāmā, and Kṛṣṇa addresses the question of his punishment.Mostly Īśānukathā ·58 verses · Arjuna captures Aśvatthāmā
- 8Chapter 8Prayers by Queen Kuntī and Parīkṣit SavedKṛṣṇa protects Parīkṣit, Kuntī prays for undivided attraction to Him, and Yudhiṣṭhira grieves.Mostly Īśānukathā ·52 verses · Kuntī’s prayer for undivided devotion
- 9Chapter 9The Passing Away of Bhīṣmadeva in the Presence of Lord KṛṣṇaBhīṣmadeva instructs Yudhiṣṭhira and fixes his attention on Kṛṣṇa as he prepares to pass away.Mostly Īśānukathā ·49 verses · Bhīṣmadeva’s final attention
- 10Chapter 10Departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa for DvārakāKṛṣṇa leaves Hastināpura for Dvārakā amid His relatives’ affection and praise.Mostly Īśānukathā ·36 verses · Kṛṣṇa returns to Dvārakā
- 11Chapter 11Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Entrance into DvārakāDvārakā’s citizens and Kṛṣṇa’s family joyfully welcome Him home.Mostly Īśānukathā ·39 verses · Kṛṣṇa returns to Dvārakā
- 12Chapter 12Birth of Emperor ParīkṣitParīkṣit’s protection in the womb is recalled, and learned brāhmaṇas predict his qualities at birth.Mostly Īśānukathā ·36 verses · Parīkṣit’s protection and birth
- 13Chapter 13Dhṛtarāṣṭra Quits HomeVidura warns of inevitable death; Dhṛtarāṣṭra leaves home, and Yudhiṣṭhira finds his elders absent.Mostly Īśānukathā ·60 verses · Dhṛtarāṣṭra leaves home
- 14Chapter 14The Disappearance of Lord KṛṣṇaYudhiṣṭhira observes disturbing omens and questions Arjuna about Kṛṣṇa and their relatives.Mostly Īśānukathā ·44 verses · The Pāṇḍavas turn toward Kṛṣṇa
- 15Chapter 15The Pāṇḍavas Retire TimelyArjuna grieves over Kṛṣṇa’s departure, and the Pāṇḍavas retire, fixing their minds on His lotus feet.Mostly Mukti ·51 verses · The Pāṇḍavas turn toward Kṛṣṇa
- 16Chapter 16How Parīkṣit Received the Age of KaliParīkṣit rules as a devotee while the personality of religion and mother earth discuss their distress.Mostly Īśānukathā ·36 verses · Parīkṣit protects the helpless
- 17Chapter 17Punishment and Reward of KaliParīkṣit protects a cow and bull from abuse and restricts Kali to five places.Mostly Manvantara ·45 verses · Parīkṣit protects the helpless
- 18Chapter 18Mahārāja Parīkṣit Cursed by a Brāhmaṇa BoyA sage’s son curses Parīkṣit, but his father condemns the punishment of the saintly king.Mostly Īśānukathā ·50 verses · The brāhmaṇa boy’s curse
- 19Chapter 19The Appearance of Śukadeva GosvāmīParīkṣit accepts impending death, sits beside the Ganges, and asks Śukadeva Gosvāmī about perfection.Mostly Īśānukathā ·40 verses · Parīkṣit welcomes Śukadeva Gosvāmī
Chapter lines and stories are short summaries drawn from the Bhāgavatam's own chapter summaries and translations. Read each chapter in full for the text itself.