Srimad Bhagavatam was composed by Sage Vyasa when he was in a state of mental unrest immediately after the epic Mahabharata was completed. It was Sage Narada who advised him to relate to everyone in great detail the myriad glories of Lord Narayana, His many incarnations and the purpose behind each of them. "Sing, sing the glories of the Lord, again and again and yet again. You will gain that peace of mind which has eluded you so far".

The Genesis of Bhagavatam

Sage Vyasa did so and that resulted in the composition of the nearly 24,000 verses of the Mahapurana known to us as Srimad Bhagavatam.

Vyasa then taught it to his son Suka, who then recited it to King Parikshit, the grandson of Pandavas, who was in a critical situation as he was fated to die within seven days through Sage Shringi's curse. But that is a different story altogether.

About 'Naimisaranyam'

Later, the Suta or ministrel, by name Ugrasravas, son of Romaharshana, recited the Purana to Saunaka and other tapasvins assembled for a sacrifice in Naimisaranyam (Namisa Forests : where the Lord had manifested Himself in the shape of Aranya - forest).

Divya Desa

Naimisaranyam is, even today, revered as a sacred place and is, in fact, one of the 108 Divya Desas -- especially sacred places of pilgrimage -- on which the Alwars composed 'pasurams' or ecstatic songs praising the Lord. This is in Uttar Pradesh, near Lucknow, on the banks of the River Gomti, a tributary of River Ganga, flowing there.

Unique Literature - Bhagavatam

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa says of this great Purana: 'It is fried in the butter of knowledge and steeped in the honey of love for the Lord." It has been stated by scholars that "there is no other Indian literature which reconciles the heart with the head, devotion with learning."

Especial Feature

The especial feature of the Bhagavatam is that it propagates the truths contained in the Vedas (and the subsidiary literature) through narrations of stories and episodes from the lives of the Lord's 24 incarnations, of sages, kings and other great devotees. The ten more popular avataras -- Matsya, Kurma, Varaaha, Narasimha, Vaamana, Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna and Kalki -- are His principal incarnations, of which those of Sri Rama and Sri Krishna are hailed as the most complete and perfect ones.

King Parikshit's request

In fact, King Parikshit, with his living days numbered, says to Sage Suka : 'O, Sire! The Krishnavatara is the most beautiful of all the Lord's incarnations. Listening to the Lord's sports and deeds will make one most confident and energetic. Despondency will be totally eliminated. The mind becomes thoroughly cleansed of all impure thoughts and is rendered more receptive to positive responses. Please recite in great detail Lord Sri Krishna's life-story. Let me be absolved of all my sins and earn my salvation."

Genesis of Saptaaham

The king heard Sri Krishna's story, complete in all respects, within seven days and nights, before he passed on. Hence Srimad Bhagavatam is always recited within seven days - 'Saptaaham' - as a principle of sacred duty to earn for the devotee bliss and prosperity!