Dharma Kshetra

If a man is going to die in seven days, what to do?

After a long and righteous reign, King Pariksit, grandson of Arjuna and disciple of Lord Krishna, once committed a small offense against a sage. He was fatigued and thirsty during a hunting trip and approached the asrama of Samika Rsi, who was in deep meditation.

Receiving no response, the king, in a moment of human weakness, placed a dead snake on the sage's shoulders as a prank.

When Srngi, the sage's young son, heard of this, he angrily cursed Pariksit to die in seven days, bitten by the serpent Taksaka.

When the news reached Pariksit, he did not retaliate, but calmly accepted it as the Lord's divine arrangement. "If death is coming in seven days, then let me prepare by hearing about the Lord with full attention."

Pariksit renounced his kingdom, family, and comforts. He sat on the banks of the Ganges, where thousands of great sages, rsis, yogis, and brahmanas gathered, desiring to witness this glorious event.

In this sacred moment, appeared Sukadeva Gosvami, the son of Vyasadeva—a sixteen-year-old, radiant sage, who wandered naked and carefree, unattached to body or society.

Though he had never accepted disciples or entered society, he was drawn by the Lord's will to fulfill this sacred mission.

Pariksit bowed to him and asked: "O Master, I am to die in seven days. Tell me: What is the duty of a man about to die? What is the highest good?"

Sukadeva answered "This question is glorious! Such a question—about the ultimate goal of life—benefits all living beings. You have passed the test of death."

He began to speak the Srimad Bhagavatam—the spotless Purana, the ripened fruit of the Vedic tree, which narrates the divine pastimes of Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

For seven continuous days and nights, Sukadeva recited the entire Bhagavatam:

• The creation of the universe and the Lord's expansions,
• The stories of great devotees like Dhruva, Prahlada, and Ambarisa,
• The avataras of Visnu, including Rama, Nrsimha, Vamana, and Krsna,
• The appearance of Sri Krsna, His childhood pastimes, Govardhana-lilia, rasa-lilia, and liberation of demons,
• And finally, the renunciation, departure, and return of the Lord to His eternal abode.

Pariksit listened without eating, sleeping, or drinking, his heart fully absorbed.

As the seventh day dawned, Taksaka approached to fulfill the curse. But Pariksit, his heart filled with bhakti, was unmoved.

He sat in samadhi, meditating on Krishna's form, His name, and His pastimes. The fiery snake bit him, and the king immediately attained liberation, ascending to the Lord's abode, surrounded by light and divine fragrance.

The sages wept in joy, not in sorrow, for they had witnessed how hearing the glories of the Lord grants immortality.

Before returning to the forest, Sukadeva Gosvami declared:

"In the dark age of Kali Yuga, when dharma declines, this Srimad Bhagavatam shall shine like the sun. Those who hear it with faith and devotion will cross over illusion."

And so, the Bhagavatam was passed down through Suta Gosvami, who retold it at Naimisaranya to the sages led by Saunaka. Thus, the Srimad Bhagavatam became the eternal light of Kali-yuga—preserving the voice of bhakti when all else fails.

(From Harivamsa Purana and Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 1 & 2)

Courtesy: https://www.bhagavatam-katha.com/sukadeva-gosvamis-recitation-of-the-bhagavatam-and-the-victory-of-devotion-in-kali-yuga/