Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 2 Chapter 8:16-29

Book 2: Chapter 8

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 2: Chapter 8: Verses 16-29 King Pariksit asks various questions of the sage Suka What are the dimensions of the egg-shaped universe, within and without ? Pray, tell me also the stories of exalted souls and the distinctive character of the different Varnas (grades of society) and Asramas (stages of life). Kindly also let me know the characteristics of the various Yugas, the duration of each and the course of duties prescribed for each, on the one hand, and the most wonderful stories of Sri Hari's descent (in the world of matter) on the other. What are the common duties enjoined on men (in general) and what are their special duties ? Again, what are the duties peculiar to men following the different trades ? Further let me know the duties of royal sages as well as of men living in adverse circumstances. Kindly also tell me the number of the various categories (ultimate principles), their distinctive character as also their characteristic causality in respect of certain other categories, the method of worshipping the Supreme Person as well as of the Yoga taught by the sage Patanjali (what is known as the Astangayoga or Yoga with its eight limbs). Again, what are the powers acquired by masters of Yoga and what is their destiny? And how does the Linga Sarira (subtle body) of the Yogis dissolve ? Again, what is the distinctive character and the theme of the Vedas and the subsidiary Vedas (such as Ayurveda or the science of medicine) as well as of the Dharma-Sastra (the books on law), the Itihasas (epics) and Puranas ? How do the creation, preservation and dissolution of all beings take place ? And what is the process of performing Vedic rites and works recommended by the Smrti texts (such as the digging of big and small wells and tanks, construction of temples to gods and gardens etc., and bestowing food) as well as acts which are prompted by some selfish desire ? Again, what is the unobjectionable method of pursuing the three objects of human aspiration (viz., Artha or worldly possessions, Dharma or religious merit and Kama or sensuous enjoyment)? How are the Jivas whose individuality has been merged in Prakrti (Primordial Matter) during a Mahapralaya (the dissolution of the universe that takes place at the end of a Brahma's life) invested with a body again ? And how does a heretical doctrine make its appearance? What is meant by the bondage and emancipation of a soul and, again,what is meant by the soul realizing its true character ? How does the Lord, who is absolutely independent and all-pervading, sport with His own Maya and how after throwing off (the veil of) His Maya does He stand unconcerned as a witness? O great and divine sage, pray, tell me all this in reality one after another, since I have approached you with the above questions and have sought refuge in you. You are an authority on these subjects just like the self-born Brahma (the highest god). Others, however, (blindly) follow only what has been done by the ancestors of those who have gone before them. Rest assured, O divine sage, that this life of mine is not going to depart but for (the curse of) the enraged Brahmana, even though I am abstaining from all food, drinking as I am the nectar (dripping from your mouth) in the form of the stories of Lord Acyuta. Suta continued : Thus invited by king Pariksit, who had been rescued in his mother's womb by Lord Visnu (Sri Krsna) Himself, to narrate the stories of the noble Lord in the midst of that assembly (of sages), the sage Suka was highly pleased. He expounded the same Bhagavata-Purana which had been taught by the Lord Himself to Brahma (the Creator) at the beginning of the Brahmakalpa (the very first Kalpa of the present round of creation), and which is held in the same esteem as the Vedas. He proceeded to answer seriatim all the questions that had been asked by Pariksit, the foremost of the scions of Pandu. Thus ends the eighth discourse entitled "A Statement of Questions" in Book Two of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana , otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.