Preparation

Chapter 1

Maharaja Pariksit requested Sukadeva Goswami to elaborate on the pastimes of Lord Krishna from beginning to end. Such descriptions, the King said, are the right medicine to overcome the disease of materialistic life. Sukadeva Goswami began by narrating the events leading up to the Lord’s appearance.

The overburdened earth was being abused and exploited by demoniac kings. Bhumi (Mother Earth) took the form of a cow, and, along with Brahma, Siva and other demigods, went to the milk ocean and petitioned the Lord to descend. In trance, Brahma heard the reply of Ksirodakasayi Vishnu, who was well aware of their plight. To prepare the ground, He requested all the demigods to first appear in the Yadu dynasty. Thereafter, the Lord would also appear, along with His internal potency.