The Skandas (Cantos) in Bhagavatam are the limbs of the Supreme Lord.

Dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo ’tra paramo nirmatsarāṇāṁ satāṁ
vedyaṁ vāstavam atra vastu śivadaṁ tāpa-trayonmūlanam
śrīmad-bhāgavate mahā-muni-kṛte kiṁ vā parair īśvaraḥ
sadyo hṛdy avarudhyate ’tra kṛtibhiḥ śuśrūṣubhis tat-kṣaṇāt

In this Srimad Bhagawatam, which has been composed by eminent Maharishi Vedavyasa, the profound dharma (rule of righteousness) called karma-phala-tyaga (giving up the fruits of action) is being taught! The Supreme knowledge as taught by great saints who are non-envious; that Supreme Knowledge which is the eternal truth, which causes welfare and which drives away afflictions, is being taught in this text. By reading other Scriptures, the Supreme Lord does not remain permanently seated in the heart. However, upon listening to Bhāgawatam with deep interest, dedication and desire, the Supreme Lord firmly and instantaneously seats himself in one’s heart!

Nigama-kalpa-taror galitaṁ phalaṁ Śuka-mukhād amṛta-drava-saṁyutam

Pibata bhāgavataṁ rasam ālayaṁ muhur aho rasikā bhuvi bhāvukāḥ

How astonishing! The fruit called Bhāgavatam, which is filled with the essence called ultimate Supreme Bliss, emerged from the wish-fulfilling tree called Veda. It was thrown to the ground through the parrot beak of Maharishi Śuka. Those humans who understand the importance of this essence, who have deep inclination and deep devotion towards it must chew this fruit filled with essence, again and again until they attain the essence called liberation!

Yaṁ pravrajantam anupetam apeta-kṛtyaṁ dvaipāyano viraha-kātara ājuhāva

putreti tan-mayatayā taravo ‘bhinedus taṁ sarva-bhūta-hṛdayaṁ munim ānato ‘smi

On account of being a jnani (highly knowledgeable being), Maharishi Śuka was freed from all karmic bondages. Even before he had undergone the sacred thread ceremony he renounced everything and was leaving home to proceed alone. At that time his father Maharishi Vyasa, being afraid of this separation called out to him, “My son”. All the trees, that were the form of Śuka’s Self (ātma), echoed with the same feelings in response. I offer my obeisance to that Śuka Maharishi who shines within every living being in the form of the Self (ātma)”.

Nārāyanaṃ namaskṛtya naraṃ caiva narottamam

Deveem Saraswateem vyāsam tato jayamudeerayet ǀǀ

Nara-Nārāyaṇa Maharishis, the greatest among humans, Mother Goddess Saraswati and Maharishi Vyasa should be worshipped at first and then reading of Srimad Bhagavatam, the holy book which grants victory (jaya) to the Self, should be begun. It grants Self-knowledge.

We now enter the Dasama skanda. This canto is the face of the Supreme Lord. The previous nine skandas (canto) covered thus far are the limbs of the Lord. For this reason, the phrase Bhagavataḥ rūpam Bhāgavatam- is used. It implies –Bhagavatam is the form of the Supreme Lord. Bhagavatam is also addressed as Bhāgavata Maharaj!

Let us now recapitulate the limbs of this Lord. The first and second cantos are the feet of the Lord. The third and fourth cantos are His thighs. The fifth canto is His navel. The sixth canto is His chest. The seventh and eight cantos are His shoulders. The ninth canto is His neck. The tenth canto is His face. The eleventh canto is the forehead while the twelfth canto is His Sahasrara.

There is a reason for Sri Swamiji to explain Bhagawata Maha-purana in entirety. In this human life, dualities such as happiness, sorrows, success and failures are fleeting aren’t they? To be realistic, even this physical body is impermanent. What then is the permanent object? It is none other than the Supreme Essence.

We should aim to meet death only once. It implies that we should strive to get away from this repeated cycle of re-births in which we face death time and again. To reach this deathless state, it is imperative to hold on to this dasama skanda, which is the face of the Supreme Lord. This is the most important canto of Bhagavatam. Bhagavatam ensures that death doesn’t attack the face.

While explaining the righteous duties of every person, Mahabharata teaches how the person should behave in life. Ramayana teaches the ideal way of leading life. Bhagavatam drives away difficulties, destroys mental afflictions while simultaneously causing a spurt in devotion. Devotion holds the ultimate position, as without devotion nothing can be attained. Without devotion, God cannot come under sway. For this reason, Swamiji is narrating Bhagavatam which extols the importance of devotion and propagates its glories.

Please listen to Bhagavatam with utmost devotion. Bhagavatam should be heard repeatedly in order to escape from this cycle of repeated re-births. Any number of times one listens to Bhagavatam, it doesn’t suffice. Do not be complacent that you have heard it once in your life and hence there is no necessity to listen to it again. Listen to it at every possible opportunity. Never count how many times you have heard Bhagavatam in life. The person who counts lacks devotion. He has not fixed his mind and devotion on the subject. He is more focussed upon the number of times he has heard it.

Bhagavatam should cover our entire body. Our breath should be Bhagavatam. Everywhere we look we should find Krishna. When we see Datta, we should think Krishna has appeared in that form.

Narayana.