SB (1962) Fourth Chapter - Appearance of Sri Narada
SB 1.4.1 (1962): On hearing Suta Goswami thus speaking, Sounaka Muni who was the elderly and learned leader of all the Rishis engaged in that prolonged sacrificial ceremony congratulated Suta Goswami by addressing him, as follows:
SB 1.4.2 (1962): Sounaka said, Oh Suta Goswami, you are the most fortunate and the most respectful of all those who can speak and recite. Please speak to us the pious message of Srimad Bhagwatam which was spoken by the great powerful sage Sukadeva Goswami.
SB 1.4.3 (1962): Sounaka enquired in which period this was first begun, at which place it was so done or on what reason this was taken up. Wherefrom Krishna Dwaipayana Vyas the great sage got the inspiration to compile the literature.
SB 1.4.4 (1962): His (Vyasdev's) son was a great devotee equibalanced monist and was always fixed up by his mind in monism. He was transcendental to the mudane activities without being exposed like a stunted ignorant.
SB 1.4.5 (1962): While Sri Vyasdeva although not naked was following His son, the beautiful young damsels who were taking bath naked, covered their body with cloth but did not do so when His son passed them before. On this the sage enquired and the young ladies replied that his son had purified his acts of looking on and he had no distinction between male and female while the sage had such distinction.
SB 1.4.6 (1962): How He (the son of Vyasa) was recognised by the citizens when he entered the city of Hastinapur (now Delhi) after first wondering in the provinces of Kuru and Jangal, appearing like a mad man dumb and stunted.
SB 1.4.7 (1962): How it so happened that King Parikshit met the great sage and thus the great transcendental essence of Vedas (Bhagwatam) was possible to be sung by Him.
SB 1.4.8 (1962): He is accustomed to stay at the door of the householder only for the time of milking the cow just to sanctify such residence.
SB 1.4.9 (1962): It is said that Maharaj Parikshit is a great devotee of the Lord in the first grade and his birth and activities are all wonderful. Kindly speak to us all about him.
SB 1.4.10 (1962): He was a great Emperor and had the opulences of an acquired kingdom as also he was so exhalted that he was increasing the prestige of the Pandu dynasty. What was the reason that he gave up everything and sat down on the bank of the Ganges fasting till death?
SB 1.4.11 (1962): He was such an emperor that all his enemies would come and bow down at his feet surrendering all wealth for their own benefit. He was in full youthful time, he was full of strength, and possessed inseparable kingly opulences. What was the reason that he desired to give up everything including his life?
SB 1.4.12 (1962): Those who are devoted to the cause of the Personality of Godhead, live only for the welfare, development and happiness of others. They do not live for any selfish interest. So even though the emperor was free from all attachment for worldly possessions how could he give up his mortal body which was the shelter for all others?
SB 1.4.13 (1962): We know that you are expert in the meaning of all subjects except some portions of the Vedas and as such you can clearly explain all answers for all questions that we have made herein unto you.
SB 1.4.14 (1962): Suta Goswami said "When there was an overlapping of the second millennium in the third, at that time the great sage (Vyasdeva) was born by Parashara in the womb of Satyabati the daughter of the Basu."
SB 1.4.15 (1962): Once upon a time He (Vyasdeva) on the rise of the sun disc took His morning abolution in the water of the Saraswati and became alone for concentration sitting
SB 1.4.16 (1962): The great sage Vyasdeva saw anomalies in the acts of the millennium, as it so happens in different ages, on the earth by the unseen forces of the course of time.
SB 1.4.17-18 (1962): The great sage who is fully equipped in knowledge could see by His transcendental vision about the deterioration of everything made of matter rendered by the influence of the age; as also he could see the faithless people in general reduced in duration of life and impatience due to lack of the quality of goodness. Thus he contemplated for the welfare of men in all status and orders of life.
SB 1.4.19 (1962): He foresaw that the means of purifying the occupation of the people in general were the sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas. And to simplify the process He divided one Veda into four, in order to expand them in the human society.
SB 1.4.20 (1962): The four divisions of the original sources of knowledge the Vedas were separately made. But the historical facts and authentic stories mentioned in the Puranas are called the fifth Veda.
SB 1.4.21 (1962): Thereupon, after the four divisions of the Vedas, Paila Rishi became the professor of Rigveda, Jaimini the professor of Samaveda and Vaishampayano also only became glorified by the yajurveda.
SB 1.4.22 (1962): The Sumanta Muni Angirasa, who was very devoutedly engaged—was entrusted with the Atharva Veda. And my father Romaharsana was entrusted with the Puranas and historical records.
SB 1.4.23 (1962): All these learned scholars in their turn rendered their entrusted matter of Vedas unto many disciples grand-disciples and great-grand-disciples and thus they became the respective branches of the followers of the Vedas.
SB 1.4.24 (1962): Thus the great sage Vyasdeva, who is very kind upon the less intellectual ignorant mass of people,—edited the book of knowledge so that the same may be assimilated by such less intellectual men.
SB 1.4.25 (1962): The great sage out of compassion for them thought it wise that this will cause to achieve the ultimate goal of life by them, and thus he compiled the great historical narration of Mahabharat for the woman class, the labourer class and the friends of the twiceborn.
SB 1.4.26 (1962): Oh the twice born Brahmins, thus when His mind was not satisfied even though He engaged himself for all round welfare work for the general mass of people, thereafter.
SB 1.4.27 (1962): Thus at once (the sage) being not very much satisfied at heart began to consider as he was one who knew the essence of religion and said within himself.
SB 1.4.28 (1962): I have under strict disciplinary vow, certainly worshipped the Vedas, the spiritual masters and the alter of sacrificial fire without any pretence; I have also abided by the rulings, I have shown the import of disciplic succession through the explanation of the Mahabharata in which even the woman, Sudras and such others (the friends of the twice born) can also see the path of relgion.
SB 1.4.29 (1962): I am feeling still wanting although myself is already fully equipped with everything required in the matter of Vedic principles.
SB 1.4.30 (1962): Or it may be that I did not almost directed the devotional service of the Lord which is dear both to the perfect beings and the infallible Lord.
SB 1.4.31 (1962): Narada reached the cottage of Krishna Dwipayana on the bank of the Saraswati as said before while Vyasdeva was regretting thus on the point of inferiority of his personal self.
SB 1.4.32 (1962): Thus on the auspicious arrival of Sri Narada, Sri Vyasdeva got up in respect and worshipped Him with equal veneration as is offered to Brahmaji the creator.