A seamless blend of fable and philosophy, the Bhagavata Purana is
perhaps the most revered text in the Vaishnava tradition. It brings to
life the legends of gods, asuras, sages and kings-all the while
articulating the crucial ethical and philosophical tenets that underpin
Hindu spiritualism.
The narrative unfolds through a series of conversations and
interconnected stories. We are told how the sage Vyasa was inspired by
Narada to compose the Bhagavata Purana as a means to illumine the path
to a spiritual life. We learn of the devotion of Prahlada, the austerity
of Dhruva, and the blinding conceit of Daksha. Also recounted are tales
of the many incarnations of Vishnu, especially Krishna, whom we see grow
from a beloved and playful child to a fierce protector of the faithful.