Srimad Bhagavatam - Skandha 1(Tamil explanation)

Srimad Bhagavatam is one of the 18 Mahapuranas, and is considered by many to be the greatest Purana. Srimad Bhagavatam was composed by Veda Vyasa as per the advice of Narada – It is said that Vyasa maharshi initially organised the vedas into 4 branches and taught them to his disciples, which were then passed on through generations. After that, out of compassion for those to whom the vedas were not accessible, he composed the Mahabharata, which distills the entire vedartha in simple terms. Yet, he was not completely satisfied. He attained contentment only after composing the Bhagavatam, which presents the highest form of devotion to the Supreme being.

Srimad Bhagavatam consists of 12 Skandhas, and 332 adhyayas. Dashama skandha, describing the avataara and leelaas of Sri Krishna is the most popular portion.

This course covers the 19 adhyayas (chapters) of the first skandha of Srimad Bhagavatam. This is an introductory Skandha, which starts with Shaunaka and other sages requesting Suta Puranika to describe the various incarnations of the Lord Narayana, their purpose and actions, Krishnavatara and the leelas, etc. Sutapuranika describes in detail the greatness of bhagavad-bhakti (devotion to Vasudeva), which leads to mukti. He also introduces the composition of Srimad Bhagavatam for describing the leelaa and greatness of these avataaras. As a background to the narration of Bhagavatam by Shukamuni to Parikshit, the events leading to the birth and curse of Parikshit are described, starting from the killing of Upapandavas by Ashvatthama at the end of the Kurukshetra war. In the last chapter of the Skandha, Sage Shuka comes to Parikshit who is awaiting his death on the banks of river Ganga, and Parikshit requests him to tell him that which should be done by a man who is close to death.
The verses of Shrimad Bhagavatam are profoundly Advaitic in essence, and the commentary by Shridhara Svami is one of the most revered commentaries on this purana. The verses are explained in detail along with the commentary of Shridhara.