A passage from the Caitanya-caritamrta reveals the true mood necessary for speaking on the Srimad- Bhagavatam.
Vidura Enquires From Maitreya Rsi
Many of us get opportunities to speak on Krsna consciousness, while preaching or interacting with others. We may speak to the best of our ability. Nevertheless, it will surely help us to know, what our mood must be when we try to reach out to oth er and distribute to them the nectar of Srimad-Bhagavatam. There is a beautiful episode regarding this in Caitanya Bhagavata, where a con versation takes place between Devananda Pandita and Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Once Devananda Pandita approached Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He pleaded "0 my Lord, I place one request at Your feet. Please tell me what should I do. I know that the Bhagavatam is meant to be spoken by a person who knows everything. However, I don't know any thing at all. Still I lecture on it. Please tell me how should I lecture on the Bhagavatam. How should I explain it ? My dear Lord, please enlighten me.
Hearing these words, Lord Caitanya began describing the glories of Srimad Bhagavatam. He said" Please listen and I will explain how to lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam. You should place into your mouth only the word 'bhakti' (devotional service) . Don't speak any other word. l Eternal, imperishable, always perfect devotional service to Lord Visnu is the sole topic in the beginning, middle and the end of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Devotional service is the greatest truth in the numberless universes. When all the universes are destroyed, devotional service will remain, perfect and powerful. Easily giving Out the gift of liberation, Lord Narayana however conceals devotional service. Without Lord Krsna's mercy, no one can understand the truth of devotional service. Srimad-Bhagavatam explains the truth of devotional service. No other scripture can be Srimad Bhagavatam's equal. As Matsya, Kurma, and other incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead sometimes appear before the people and sometimes disappear, in the same way Srimad Bhagavatam also appears and disappears. It is not a book written by someone. Only by Lord Krsna's mercy, and because of Vyasa's sincere devotion did the Srimad-Bhagavatam appear on Vyasadevas tongue. No one can know all the truths of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the same way no can know about all the truths of Srimad Bhagavatam. This is confirmed by all the scriptures. Anyone who declares, I ll understand Srimad-Bhagavatam", does not really know the truth about it. But an uneducated person who humbly takes shelter of the Bhagavatam will easily see it's true meaning. It is made of ecstatic spiritual love. It is Lord Krsn a's own body. It describes Lord Krsna's secret pastimes. After speaking the Vedas and Puranas, Vedavyasa was not contended at heart, instead he was morose and dejected; he felt unfulfilled. But when Srimad-Bhagavatam appeared on his tongue, he at once felt joy in his heart. However, when reading Srimad-Bhagavatam, some people fall into a great danger. Honestly listen, 0 brahmana, and I will tell you about this. When you lecture say that in the beginning, middle, and end of Srimad-Bhagavatam, devotional service alone is described. Then you will not commit any offense. Then you will feel joy in your thoughts. Every scripture speaks only of devotional service to Lord Krsna. But Srimad-Bhagavatam is especially sweet with the nectar of Lord Krsna. In this way go and teach. Explain to everyone the nectar of devotional service to Lord Krsna."
Hearing the Lord's in structions, Devananda Pandita offered dandavat obeisances. He realised how he had become very fortunate to h ear this from the Lord Himself. He offered obeisances again and again. Then he departed meditating on the Lord's lotus feet, in his heart.
Murari Gupta Dasa, serves full-time at ISKCON Mumbai and teaches Krsna Consciousness to students in different colleges. He is also part of the BTG India team.