Suka Goswami said, O King Pariksit, best of the Kurus, the stories of the activities of Lord Narayana, the creator of the universe and the shelter of all have now been briefly described to you. It is not possible to describe them in their entirety. Anyone who is suffering in this material world can be liberated by hearing the pastimes of the Supreme Lord.
Narada taught Vyasadeva this Bhagavatam, and Vyasadeva taught it to me. The sage Suta Goswami, who is now sitting before us in the audience, will in the future repeat this Bhagavatam when questioned by the sages in the sacred forest at Naimisha. This Bhagavatam has described the Supreme Lord in detail.
King Pariksit, you should now abandon the thought that you will die. Although your body has been born, the soul is never born. You existed before the birth of your body and you will not be destroyed when your body is destroyed. You are completely distinct from the physical body just as fire is completely distinct from its energy or fuel.
If one dreams that they see their head cut off, they can understand that their self is standing apart from the dream and witnessing the dream. In the same way, one can understand that their body is produced from material elements and the self is apart from the body and witnessing it.
The soul within the body is self-illuminating and distinct from the body. The soul is the foundation of the changing body just as space is the foundation of all changing things. The soul is eternal and all pervasive. Using logic and reason you should contemplate the self that is residing in your body. Your true self cannot be burnt by the snake-bird sent by the brahmin’s curse.
King Pariksit, I have narrated the activities and qualities of the Supreme Lord and I have spoken on the topics you have asked me about. What else would you like to hear?
Pariksit approached Suka Goswami and bowed his head to the sage’s feet. He folded his palms together and said, I have achieved the perfection of my life. I have been graciously favoured by a compassionate soul like you. It is not surprising that great souls like you are merciful to foolish materialistic people like me who are always suffering the problems of material life.
After hearing this Bhagavatam and the descriptions of the Supreme Lord I am not afraid of death or the snake-bird. I have been able to absorb myself in the absolute truth which you have revealed to me and which removes all fear and now my ignorance has been dispelled.
Pariksit then absorbed his mind in meditation on the Supreme Lord. The snake bird, who could take any kind of form, took the form of a brahmin and bit the King. The body of King Pariksit was burnt to ashes by the fire of the snake bird’s poison. There was a loud cry of distress that resounded in all directions on the earth and in the heavens.
- Chapter 24 – Conclusion
Suta Goswami said to the sages at Naimisha, My dear brahmins, I have narrated the glories of the Supreme Lord to you. His activities deserve to be praised. Reciting this Bhagavatam eradicates all unfavourable things and anyone who hears it is purified of material contamination. Anyone who worships this Bhagavatam by hearing it or chanting it will have all desirable things bestowed upon them.
This Bhagavatam constantly glorifies the Supreme Lord and his qualities and activities. I bow down before that eternal and unlimited Supreme Lord who creates, maintains and destroys the material world.
Let me also offer my respects to the great sage Suka Goswami, the son of Vyasadeva. He was initially immersed in the contentment of impersonal realisation, yet he became attracted by the activities and qualities of the supreme person which are described in this Bhagavatam.
The Bhagavatam is full of descriptions of the activities of the Supreme Lord, which give pleasure to saintly people. The aim of these descriptions is to produce devotion to the supreme person. The Bhagavatam contains the essence of all the Vedas.
Anyone who can appreciate its relishable mood will not require any other literature. This Bhagavatam describes the method for achieving freedom from karma. Anyone who sincerely tries to understand its message will be liberated from all suffering.
Let us all bow down to that supreme person. Chanting his holy name and offering him respect will free us from all misfortune.
