The Sage Who Divided the Vedas
After the passing of Mahārāja Parīkṣit and the widespread dissemination of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam through the sages, the venerable sage Śrīla Vyāsadeva—the literary incarnation of the Supreme Lord—gathered his foremost disciples to speak his final words of instruction.
Vyāsa, having compiled the four Vedas, authored the Mahābhārata, the Brahma-sūtras, and countless Purāṇas, now sat absorbed in divine remembrance.
But his heart rested most deeply in one gift: the Bhāgavatam, the essence of all his works.
Vyāsa’s Address to His Disciples
Gathering his devoted followers, including Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī, Jaimini, Paila, Sumantu, and others, Vyāsa declared:
“O learned sages, the Vedas are vast. Rituals are many. Philosophies are diverse. But know this with certainty: in this age of Kali, the only hope is the constant hearing and chanting of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Hari.”
He continued:
“That literature which does not glorify Kṛṣṇa is like a place of pilgrimage for crows—fit for those who feed on the refuse of mundane stories. But that literature which sings of the Lord’s names, forms, and pastimes is a place of rest for swan-like souls who seek nectar.”
The Legacy of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
Vyāsa explained that the Bhāgavatam was spoken by the Lord Himself in the form of transcendental sound. It is not of this world. It appears in the heart that is humble, pure, and eager to serve.
He said:
“When Kṛṣṇa returned to His abode, He left behind this scripture—His eternal presence in sound. Wherever Bhāgavatam is heard, there Kṛṣṇa dwells eternally.”
He instructed his disciples to recite, teach, and live the Bhāgavatam, passing it from teacher to student, generation to generation, until the end of Kali-yuga.
The Eternal Lamp in Kali-yuga
Vyāsa foresaw the coming darkness—false teachers, materialism, wars, and loss of spiritual culture. Yet, he smiled with divine assurance:
“In the darkest hour, this Bhāgavatam will be your sun. Even if all other dharmas are lost, one who hears this with devotion shall be freed from the cycle of birth and death.”
He then entered into samādhi, his divine task complete—leaving behind the greatest treasure in all creation.
Lessons to Be Learned:
- Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is not just scripture—it is the incarnation of Kṛṣṇa in Kali-yuga.
- Vyāsadeva’s mission was to distill the essence of all Vedic knowledge into this single work.
- Hearing with faith purifies the heart and grants liberation and love of God.
- Spiritual wisdom must be passed on through disciplined, sincere teachers, not lost in history.
- In the confusion of modern times, the Bhāgavatam is our eternal compass.
Origin of the Story: Harivamsa Purana 3 – Chapter 147: Vyāsa’s Final Instructions and the Perpetual Glory of the Bhāgavatam
