The Sages of Naimishiranya

Brilliant as the Sun: A Retelling of Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto One

By: Chintamani Dhama Dasi, Krishna Dharma

Narrated by: Krishna Dharma

Length: 4 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Srimad Bhagavatam is the most prominent of the Puranas, or histories of the Ancient World. The original Sanskrit text of the work, penned by the great sage Vyasadeva, says it is "as brilliant as the sun", because its teachings can illuminate our consciousness even in the darkest times. Much like the Arabian Nights, it has an intricate structure of stories within stories; epic tales of divine incarnations, saints, sages, gods and earthly kings that span vast periods of time. This volume introduces the foundational story; a conversation among many learned sages and yogis at the holy site of Naimisharanya. 

Srimad Bhagavatam describes how the earth goes through cyclical ages not unlike the four seasons in a year. Five thousand years ago, the world entered the most terrible of the four ages, otherwise known as Kali Yuga, or the "Age of Quarrel and Hypocrisy". This era is characterized by terrific acts of violence such as large scale animal slaughter, systematic destruction of the planet's food supplies, and the merciless affliction of civilian populations by warlords and governments alike. All of this leads to escalating miseries as the dreadful age unfolds. 

Aware of our impending plight through prophetic visions, the compassionate sages of Naimisharanya seek a way to help us. One of their number, Suta Goswami, goes in search of a solution and encounters a dialogue between an emperor cursed to die and a great mystic. From this discussion Suta discovers how anyone, no matter how drastic their circumstances, can transcend their misery and experience boundless joy by comprehending the science of God and the soul. He returns to the sages and faithfully repeats the secrets he has heard, and this becomes the Srimad Bhagavatam. 

Described as the "literary incarnation of God", Srimad Bhagavatam elevates its sincere readers to pure spiritual consciousness, beyond the reach of all misery. It describes the living being as an eternal part of the all attractive Supreme Person, Krishna. We are not meant to suffer and Srimad Bhagavatam assures us that our pain will end when we properly apply the spiritual science it expounds. It is the most conclusive self-help book ever written, offering the reader the means to rise above all of the personal, interpersonal, national, and international problems we face today.

Krishna Dharma, is the author of popular retellings of the Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. With the assistance of his wife Chintamani Dhama Dasi, he now brings to life the greatest of India's spiritual classics without compromising its essential spiritual message.

©2016 Krishna Dharma (P)2017 Krishna Dharma

Simplistic yet ever so satisfying!

Good pace of rendering. Love the book! All glories to the Lord and His merciful devotees.

Great audiobook

I just wish the recording were higher quality with better equipment. Apart from that, many thanks for making this audiobook. I will surely listen to the other parts. Hare Krishna!

Thank you creators of this audiobook!

I enjoyed very much listening to this audiobook! I bow down to the creators of this audiobook and for your service to the world! I wish you bucket full of krishna's love to you guys 🙏😄😀☺️💘

Beautiful and Accessible!

This is a beautiful production. I love the narrator's voice. I've tried to read this several times, but this retelling has made this story accessible for me, and now I can go back and read the full text again with a much better understanding. Thank you for doing this work! I hope you narrate all 10 cantos.

Beautiful story and narration!!

This rendition of the Srimad Bhagavatam canto 1 is so wonderful and allows people with limited time to study to experience the benefits of the most important spiritual book of our time. I can't wait to listen to the rest of the canto summaries. The narration is really pleasing and heartfelt.

Found a gem

For all seekers, this is the one. Ancient wisdom and culture of high values turned in a story that captivates the mind.

Sages of Naimishiranya by Mani Manjari DD from the New Vrajamandala

Thank you very much for this beautiful book and specially for the recording I had enjoy lots listening about the glories of the Lord and His devotees; a total nectar that couldn’t stop listening until it finished. Please please continue with the recording of the other books. Usually it is very difficult to find time to read since we have to do so many services at the temple and at home but the recording allows us to get the nectar while doing house duties or even temple duties. Thank you very much Hare Krishna

A beautiful retelling

I have read the Srimad-Bhagavatam. This is a beautiful retelling of an ancient Sanskrit text – clear, accessible, and the main points captured from this Canto.

Could have been so much better

I'm enjoying this series, but itt would take a whole year of an Audible subscription to buy each part that would make up the whole book. It's been broken down into the different Cantos with each being released as a separate audio book.. Pronunciation and translation seems a little suspect. Each Cantos has a made up title and parts are rearranged and dramatised .The voice isn't recorded well.

Moving rendition, deep story

Listening to this narration by the author was a joy. It made a cross - European car journey fly by. Looking forward to hearing more from this series. I loved the way that the details of scenes were brought to life, drawing us in, making us feel as though we were there, with the sages, thousands of years ago. Thank you!