Course Description: 

After hearing the Mahābhārata from sage Jaimini, Janamejaya drowned in the ocean of devotion. Eager to hear more Kṛṣṇa katha, he asked Jaimini to complete his version of the Mahābhārata with something unusually sweet, madhureṇa samāpayet. After Janamejaya begged him, Jaimini narrated the essence of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam which Mahārāja Parīkṣit narrated to his mother Uttarā after hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from Śukadeva Gosvāmī. This narrative is presented to us by Sanātana Gosvāmī in the form of Śrī Bṛhad-Bhāgavatāmṛta. It is also said to be a khila (addition) to Jaimini's version of the Mahābhārata.

Course Contents:

The course is divided into two parts. In the first part, in his quest to be the recipient of Lord Kṛṣṇa's greatest grace, Nārada Muni approaches different devotees in different layers of the universe, finally arriving in Vraja to glorify the gopis, especially Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. The second part tells us the story of a wandering cowherd, who received a mantra from the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana, traveling from one planetary system to another, exploring living beings with different levels of consciousness. Finally, Gopa Kumāra reaches Goloka Vṛndāvana and there attains the supreme perfection of his life, serving His dear Lord, Śri Kṛṣṇa, with love.

Course Materials: The book Śrī Bṛhad-Bhāgavatāmṛta

Course Requirement: Reasonable understanding of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Target Audience: Devotees who read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam regularly.

Assessment Plan: Questions at the end of the course.

Why should students take this course? 

It will deepen their understanding of the culture of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

What will students get by attending the course? 

A deeper awareness of the devotee's life and the availability of bhakti-yoga to all.