Bhagavatam reciter

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Who is qualified to recite Srîmad-Bhagavatam?

 

One whose life and activities are based on the teachings of

Srîmad-Bhagavatam should serve Hari at every moment and with every breath of

life. Srîmad-Bhagavatam is directly the Absolute Truth. One should not

recite the Srîmad-Bhagavatam as a business; the Bhagavatam is worshipable.

Therefore a professional reciter or contractor cannot describe

Srîmad-Bhagavatam. Before hearing a Bhagavatam recital, one should try to

see whether the reciter is serving the Bhagavata twenty-four hours a day or

not. One reciting for a stipend or on contract cannot explain the Bhagavata.

Refrain from approaching professional priests. See first whether they devote

themselves fully to the Bhagavata.

Simply becoming an expert in the Purå?as does not make one qualified to

explain Srîmad-Bhagavatam. Sastra establishes that Srîmad-Bhagavatam is not

understood by those possessing only an academic knowledge of scripture. To

understand it requires devotion. A person who explains Srîmad-Bhagavatam

must himself be a bhagavata. If one desires wealth or fame from his

recitation of the Srîmad-Bhagavatam, then even though he becomes a renowned

reciter, he will actually be far away from Srîmad-Bhagavatam. Hearing

Srîmad-Bhagavatam from such a person, the people's hearts will not become

attracted toward the Absolute, which is the goal of the Bhagavatam.

Srîmad-Bhagavatam is not glorified when coming from the mouth of a person

who is not a pure devotee and who does not base his life on the Bhagavatam's

teachings. Such a person cheats himself and cheats others by making a show

of his recitation.

The relationship between the Srîmad-Bhagavatam reciter and the audience is

not like the relationship between a professor and his students. A professor

who can nicely explain a lesson to his student is considered the best

professor. It does not matter whether his lifestyle or character are

exemplary. However, a Bhagavatam reciter must follow the Bhagavatam's

teachings before he will be able to preach. Caitanya-caritamrta states that

unless one practices, he cannot teach religious principles to other.

One of loose character, who is lusty, full of material desires, and who

wants wealth and fame can never explain Srîmad-Bhagavatam. Such a person

simply gratifies his senses on the pretext of reciting Srîmad-Bhagavatam.

 

(Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Amrta Vani)