WHAT WOULD

YOU DO WITH
ONLY 7 DAYS
TO LIVE?
EXPLORE YOGA WISDOM
AND GET INSIGHTS INTO
CONSCIOUS LIVING
WOULD YOU GET ANGRY AND BLAME THE UNIVERSE FOR BEING
SO CRUEL?
WOULD YOU REGRET ALL THOSE LOST OPPORTUNITIES?

Skydive?
Learn to fly?
Swim with
sharks?

Journey with Maharaj Pariksit, an exemplary yogi and emperor facing

his imminent death, as he illuminates the greatest adventure in exis-
tence: the soul’s journey back home, back to the world of immortality.
Along the way, learn about the essence of reality and the person
behind it all in the indispensable yoga classic Shrimad Bhagavatam.
HEAR WHAT
A KING DID WHEN
FACED WITH THE DILEMMA
OF HAVING ONLY
7 DAYS TO LIVE

SHRIMAD BHAGAVATAM
18 volume book collection
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam [shree-mud b-huh-ga-vatam]

What do these books offer?

1. For those seeking spiritual insight, they offer simple and
practical guidance for attainment of the highest self-knowledge.
2. To sociologists and anthropologists, they reveal the practical
workings of a peaceful, prosperous and scientifically organised
culture.
3. Students of literature will discover them to be a masterpiece of
majestic poetry.
4. For students of psychology, they provide important
perspectives on the nature of consciousness, human behaviour
and the philosophical study of identity.

“It promises to occupy a significant place in the intellectual, cultural

and spiritual life of modern man for a long time to come.”
- Srila Prabhupada
 What are these books about?
Five thousand years ago, the great sag-
es of the world gathered to discuss how
to benefit the people of our time. They
could foresee our situation: technologi-
cally brilliant but spiritually dull. “What will
become of them, of this planet, without
spiritual insight?” they worried.
The sages discuss a historical conver-
sation between an advanced transcen-
dentalist, Sukadeva Gosvami and the
famous King Pariksit, who has been
cursed to die in seven days. The king
takes the opportunity to inquire from the
sage about the purpose of life, and the
Shrimad Bhagavatam shares their dia-
logue describing colourful accounts of
spiritually wise men and
women from many cultur es and locations
throughout the universe.
By reading Shrimad Bhagavatam we
enter a world of genuine spiritual insight
that heightens our perception, illuminates
our vision, and offers us the advantages
of applying this wisdom in our daily lives.
Anyone who hears this epic discussion
will find viable spiritual solutions to the
myriad of modern society’s challenges.
As we journey with these sages, we not
only examine the root of our current eco-
nomic, social, political and environmental
crises, but we explore the wisdom of an
ancient time.

What to expect
Shrimad Bhagavatam offers something for everyone. Because it’s so vast and
comprehensive it’s not something you can simply summarise in a small booklet, but
we’ve tried.

It explains many aspects of life, from karma to relationships, how to be a good lead-
er and how to be mindful; how to better rela te to people and how to understand
more about yourself—the list goes on.

In the following pages, you’ll see a few quotes we’ve taken from the Shrimad
Bhagavatam. These touch on reincarnation, time, being human, how to be peace-
ful, satisfaction, consciousness, the senses, happiness, illusion and the tempo-
rariness of nature. These will hopefully spark some thoughts and give you a small
indication of what kinds of topics the Shrimad Bhagavatam explores.
THE FIRST QUESTION
WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE GOOD FOR PEOPLE IN GENERAL?

Being blessed with many years, explain

to us in an easily understandable way
what you have ascertained to be the
absolute and ultimate good for the people
in general.
Canto 1 Chapter 1 Verse 9

THIS QUESTION WAS ASKED TO A WISE SAGE WHEN SHRIMAD

BHAGAVATAM WAS FIRST SPOKEN BY SEEKERS OF KNOWLEDGE WHOSE
ONLY DESIRE WAS TO UPLIFT HUMAN SOCIETY.
HAPPINESS
HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE LASTING PEACE OF MIND AND HAPPINESS?

WHY DO WE ALWAYS TRY CHANGING THINGS - OUR JOB, OUR

PARTNER, OUR LOCATION - IN ORDER TO BECOME HAPPY?

Just as a deer, because of ignorance, cannot

see the water within a well covered by grass,
but runs after water elsewhere, the living
beings covered by the material body do not
see the happiness within themselves, but run
after happiness in the material world.
SB 7.13.29

“HAPPINESS DEPENDS UPON OURSELVES.” – ARISTOTLE

“HAPPINESS IS INWARD, AND NOT OUTWARD; AND SO, IT DOES NOT DEPEND
ON WHAT WE HAVE, BUT ON WHAT WE ARE.” - HENRY VAN DYKE
“HAPPINESS SPRINGS FROM DOING GOOD AND HELPING OTHERS.” - PLATO
“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE? TO SERVE OTHERS AND DO GOOD.” - ARISTOTLE
PEACE
WHAT IS THE PUREST FORM OF HAPPINESS?

IN AN INDIVIDUALISTIC WORLD, HOW CAN SELFLESSNESS BE BENEFICIAL?

WHAT IS THE KEY TO ACHIEVING WORLD PEACE?

May there be good fortune throughout

the universe, and may all envious
persons be pacified. May all living beings
become calm by practising bhakti-yoga,
for by accepting devotional service they
will think of each other’s welfare.
Therefore let us all engage in the service
of the supreme, Krishna, and always
remain absorbed in thought of Him.
Canto 5 Chapter 18 Verse 9

“THE PURPOSE OF HUMAN LIFE IS TO SERVE, TO SHOW COMPASSION AND

THE WILL TO HELP OTHERS.” - ALBERT SCHWEITZER
“HAPPINESS...CONSISTS IN GIVING, AND IN SERVING OTHERS.”
- HENRY DRUMMOND
REINCARNATION
OUR BODY’S CELLS ARE CONSTANTLY DYING AND BEING REPLACED, SO
WHAT OF US REMAINS THE SAME?

WHAT IS THE CONSTANT THAT CARRIES US FROM BIRTH UNTIL DEATH?

When the living entity passes from the

present body to the next body, which is
created by his own karma, he
becomes absorbed in the pleasurable
and painful sensations of the new body
and completely forgets the experience
of the previous body. This total
forgetfulness of one’s previous
material identity, which comes about
for one reason or another, is called
death.
Canto 11 Chapter 22 Verse 39

“ENERGY, LIKE YOU, HAS NO BEGINNING AND NO END. IT CAN NEVER BE

DESTROYED. IT IS ONLY EVER SHIFTING STATES.” - PANACHE DESAL

“LESSONS IN LIFE WILL BE REPEATED UNTIL THEY ARE LEARNED.”

- FRANK SONNENBERG
Reincarnation
REINCARNATION
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DREAM AND REALITY?

WHY DO WE THINK OF OURSELVES AS A PARTICULAR NATIONALITY, RACE,

OR ETHNICITY?

What is called birth is

simply a person's
total identification with
a new body. One accepts
the new body just as one
completely accepts the
experience of a dream or
a fantasy as reality.
Canto 11 chapter 22 verse 40

“REALITY IS MERELY AN ILLUSION, ALBEIT A VERY PERSISTENT ONE.”

- ALBERT EINSTEIN
HUMAN LIFE
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE?

WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE?

CAN A SIMPLE, SPIRITUAL LIFE REALLY MAKE ME HAPPY?

Life’s desires should never be

directed toward sense gratification.
One should desire only a healthy
life, or self-preservation, since a
human being is meant for inquiry
about the Absolute Truth. Nothing
else should be the goal of one’s
works.
Canto 1 Chapter 2 Verse 10

“ALL RELIGIONS, ARTS AND SCIENCES ARE BRANCHES OF THE SAME TREE.
ALL THESE ASPIRATIONS ARE DIRECTED TOWARD ENNBOLING MAN’S LIFE,
LIFTING IT FROM THE SPHERE OF MERE PHYSICAL EXISTENCE AND LEADING
THE INDIVIDUAL TOWARDS FREEDOM.” - ALBERT EINSTEIN
“THE TALENT OF BEING HAPPY IS APPRECIATING AND LIKING WHAT YOU HAVE,
INSTEAD OF WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE.” - WOODY ALLEN
SATISFACTION
WHAT DETERMINES OUR HAPPINESS IN THIS LIFE?

HOW DO WE STOP THE URGES THAT PROMPT US TO CONSUME MORE

AND MORE?

A person should be satisfied with whatever

he achieves by his previous destiny, for
discontent can never bring happiness.
A person who is not self-controlled will not
be happy even with possessing the three
worlds.
If happiness is the ultimate goal of life, one
must be satisfied with the position in which
he is placed by providence.
Canto 8 Chapter 19 Text 24

“IF YOU LOOK TO OTHERS FOR FULFILLMENT, YOU WILL NEVER BE FULFILLED.
IF YOUR HAPPINESS DEPENDS ON MONEY, YOU WILL NEVER BE HAPPY WITH
YOURSELF. BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE; REJOICE IN THE WAY THINGS
ARE. WHEN YOU REALIZE THERE IS NOTHING LACKING, THE WORLD BELONGS
TO YOU.” - LAO TZU
“THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WE FACE IS SHIFTING HUMAN
CONSCIOUSNESS, NOT SAVING THE PLANET. THE PLANET DOESN’T NEED
SAVING, WE DO.” - XIUHTZCATL MARTINEZ
CONSCIOUSNESS
IS DESIRE A NATURAL PART OF THE LIVING BEING?

DO THE DESIRES OF THE BODY AND MIND EVER END?

CAN WE FIND LASTING SATISFACTION IN FULFILLING THE DESIRES OF THE

SENSES?

When a person’s mind and senses are

attached to sense objects for enjoyment,
the mind becomes agitated. As a result
of always thinking of sense objects,
one’s real consciousness is almost lost,
like the water in a lake that is
gradually sucked up by the big grass
straws on its bank.
Canto 4 Chapter 22 Text 30

“OUR BODY HAS THIS DEFECT THAT, THE MORE IT IS PROVIDED CARE AND
COMFORTS, THE MORE NEEDS AND DESIRES IT FINDS.”
- SAINT TERESA OF AVILA
UNCONTROLLED SENSES
WHO IS IN CONTROL, OUR SENSES OR OURSELVES?
HOW OFTEN, IN OUR PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, DO WE SEEK TO PLEASE
SOMETHING OTHER THAN OUR SENSES?

Even the entirety of whatever there may be

within the three worlds to satisfy one’s senses

cannot satisfy a person whose senses are

uncontrolled.

The material world is an illusory energy to deviate

the living beings from the path of self-realisation.

Anyone who is in this material world is extremely

anxious to get more and more things for sense

gratification. Actually, the real purpose of life is

not sense gratification but self-realisation.

Canto 8 Chapter 19 Text 21

“OUR OWN SELF-REALIZATION IS THE GREATEST SERVICE WE CAN RENDER

THE WORLD” - RAMANA MAHARSHI
“HE WHO REIGNS WITHIN HIMSELF AND RULES PASSIONS, DESIRES, AND
FEARS IS MORE THAN A KING” - JOHN MILTON
HAPPINESS
IS HAPPINESS OR DISTRESS PRE-DETERMINED?
CAN HAPPINESS AND DISTRESS BE ACHIEVED OR AVOIDED BY PERSONAL
ENDEAVOUR?

My dear friends born of corrupt

families, the happiness perceived
with reference to the sense
objects by contact with the
body can be obtained in any
form of life, according to one’s
past fruitive activity.
Such happiness is automatically
obtained without endeavouR, just
as we obtain distress.
Canto 7 Chapter 6 Text 3

“IF YOU ARE DISTRESSED BY ANYTHING EXTERNAL, THE PAIN IS NOT DUE
TO THE THING ITSELF, BUT TO YOUR ESTIMATE OF IT; AND THIS YOU HAVE
THE POWER TO REVOKE AT ANY MOMENT” - MARCUS AURELIUS

“ONLY BY JOY AND SORROW DOES A PERSON KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT

THEMSELVES AND THEIR DESTINY. THEY LEARN WHAT TO DO AND WHAT
TO AVOID” - JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE
ILLUSION
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT HUMAN LIFE COMPARED TO ANIMAL LIFE?

IS THE PLEASURE AN ANIMAL EXPERIENCES THE SAME TYPE OF PLEASURE

WE EXPERIENCE AS HUMAN BEINGS?

The living being, in whatever

species of life he appears, F Inds
a particular type of satisfaction
in that species, and he is never
averse to being situated in such
a condition.
Canto three chapter thirty verse four

“THE BELIEFS CONCERNING REINCARNATION HAVE GREAT

ETHICAL IMPACT ON HUMAN LIFE AND OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE
WORLD” - STANISLAV GROF
“THE SEARCH FOR SOMETHING PERMANENT IS ONE OF THE DEEPEST OF
THE INSTINCTS LEADING MEN TO PHILOSOPHY” - BERTRAND RUSSEL
TEMPORALITY
WHY DO WE PURSUE THINGS WE ALREADY KNOW WILL END?
WHAT REMAINS PERMANENT IN A WORLD OF IMPERMANENCE?

The misguided materialist does not know

that his very body is impermanent and that
the attractions of home, land and wealth,
which are in relationship to that body, are
also temporary. Out of ignorance only, he
thinks that everything is permanent.
Canto 3 Chapter 30 Verse 3

“WISDOM IS THE CLEAR SEEING OF THE IMPERMANENT, CONDITIONED

NATURE OF ALL PHENOMENA, KNOWING THAT WHATEVER ARISES HAS
THE NAUTRE TO CEASE. WHEN WE SEE THIS IMPERMANENCE DEEPLY, WE
NO LONGER CLING; AND WHEN WE NO LONGER CLING, WE COME TO THE
END OF SUFFERING” - JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN
“LOST TIME IS NEVER FOUND AGAIN” - BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
TIME
IF THE FORCE OF TIME IS INEVITABLY CHANGING THINGS AROUND US, HOW
CAN WE USE TIME TO OUR ADVANTAGE IN THIS LIFE?
WHO IS THE CONSCIOUS ‘ME’ THAT PERCEIVES THE CHANGES OF TIME BUT
REMAINS UNCHANGED?

Material bodies are constantly

undergoing creation and destruction
by the force of time, whose swiftness is
imperceptible. But because of the subtle
nature of time, no one sees this.
Canto 11 Chapter 22 Verse 42

“TIME CHANGES EVERYTHING EXCEPT SOMETHING WITHIN US WHICH IS

ALWAYS SURPRISED BY CHANGE” - THOMAS HARDY

“WE MUST USE TIME WISELY AND FOREVER REALIZE THAT THE TIME IS
ALWAYS RIPE TO DO RIGHT” - NELSON MANDELA
WHAT’S IN SHRIMAD BHAGAVATAM?
EACH CANTO IS FULL OF STORIES, LESSONS AND INSTRUCTION’S TO HELP
YOU GET THROUGH LIFE EASIER AND AWAKEN YOUR SPIRITUAL
CONSCIOUSNESS.

CANTO SUMMARIES
Canto 1
Canto one depicts the circumstances in which the emperor of the world, Pariksit, is
cursed to die. Upon receiving news of his impending death, the emperor relin-
quishes his kingdom and travels to the bank of the river Ganges, determined to
fast until his death. Great sages and yogis from all over the universe come to visit
him. Taking advantage of their presence, he asks them six questions about what is
the most important thing to do when a person is about to die. These six questions
form the basis of the entire Bhagavatam. In the first canto, the topics of the Bhaga-
vatam are introduced, the Absolute Truth is defined and the principles of creation
are described.

Canto 2
The second canto describes the post-creation cosmic manifestation. It explains
the process of creation, the different planetary systems of the universe, and the
ultimate controller behind this universal, phenomenal manifestation. There are ten
chapters in this canto, and in these ten chapters the purpose of Shrimad Bhagav-
atam is narrated. The second canto also introduces the spiritual reality beyond this
vast material universe.

Canto 3
This canto provides an analytical understanding of the constituents of the material
world culminating in a detailed explanation of the difference between matter and
spirit. The third canto also explains the dynamics of male-female relationships and
how the living beings get entangled in the cycle of repeated birth and death. We
also learn that bhakti-yoga, the highest rung on the yoga ladder, is both the means
to liberation and the eternal activity of liberated souls.

Canto 4
The highlight of the fourth canto is a profound allegory describing the existen-
tial situation of the living being in the material universe. The allegory is delivered
by Narada Muni, the revered cosmic sage of the Vedic tradition. He presents a
sophisticated model of who we are: a particle of pure consciousness covered over
by gross and subtle layers of matter. He also describes the process of dissolving
our material coverings and regaining our original spiritual form.

Canto 5
The fifth canto follows a highly elevated bhakti-yogi named Jada Bharata through
the course of three lives; first a king, then a deer and then a liberated saint.
Through his journey, the Bhagavatam teaches about the subtleties of karma and
the process of reincarnation. The fifth canto also gives a detailed account of the
structure of our universe, as well as a description of the different kinds of living
beings who inhabit different planetary systems.

Canto 6
In the sixth canto we come across Ajamila, a pious, spiritually-minded intellectu-
al who in the association of a prostitute turned into a rogue. Despite performing
heinous criminal activities throughout his life, Ajamila was saved from the karmic
consequences of his actions. This canto describes how and why Ajamila was
saved. Through this description we learn about the inconceivable potency of spir-
itual sound vibrations and the process to become liberated from desires to control
and enjoy matter.

Canto 7
In the seventh canto we encounter the famous boy-sage Prahlada. A supremely
adept bhakti-yogi, Prahlada gives unsurpassable insights into the futility of trying to
improve one’s material situation. After having thoroughly negated the value of all ma-
terialistic goals, Prahlada then offers the positive alternative: one should utilise every
moment of one’s life for spiritual advancement. In this canto we also find detailed
instructions on how civilised human beings should lead their lives. This includes a
systematic description of efficient social organisation, the duties of labourers, busi-
nessmen, kings and intellectuals, and the regulative principles of the four spiritual
orders of life.

Canto 8
The eighth canto describes intergalactic battles fought between pious celestial
beings and their eternal foes: corrupt, selfish and extremely powerful beings known
as asuras. We learn more about higher planetary systems and the principles
governing universal management. This canto also describes the unique activities of
Vamanadeva, an incarnation of the Absolute Truth who came to teach that without
contentment one cannot be happy even if one possesses the entire universe.

Canto 9
This canto describes great kings and yogis who faces different challenges in their
quest for liberation. For example, there is the yogi Durvasa, who for egotistical rea-
sons, tries to use his formidable yogic power to kill the exalted king Ambarisha, an
exemplary bhakti-yogi. Through these narrations, we learn that yoga is a technology
that can be used to progress towards enlightenment or it can be misused for selfish
purposes to dominate and exploit others. The ninth canto also briefly describes
the appearance and activities of Rama, another famous incarnation of the Absolute
Truth.

Canto 10
This canto introduces us to the pinnacle of Vedic wisdom: the inconceivable Su-
preme Person, Krishna. We learn about Krishna’s form which is eternal, full of bliss
and knowledge. This canto also describes how Krishna includes everything, how
Krishna is the ultimate source of all there is, both material and spiritual, and how
all energies emanate from Krishna. Finally, this canto gives elaborate accounts of
Krishna’s inimitably attractive and enigmatic activities when he appeared on Earth
and played like a human being.

Canto 11
This canto is famous for containing the Uddhava Gita, a conversation between
Krishna and his dear disciple and devotee, Uddhava. Considered the crest jewel of
philosophical wisdom, this conversation answers the greatest questions in existence.
Topics include: the purpose behind the universe, the nature of karma, renunciation,
the different yogic paths, the nature of consciousness, the three influences that affect
all interactions between matter and consciousness, the process of creation and a
scrupulous analysis of material nature.

Canto 12
In this canto, we witness the great emperor Pariksit relinquishing his mortal coil and
going back to the spiritual realm. We hear Sukadeva Goswami, Pariksit’s spiritual
master, offer his final instructions to the cursed king. Through the king, Sukadeva
instructs us all that the actual self, the soul, is distinct from the material body and
mind it observes. He reminds us that the unborn and immortal soul is intimately
related to the Supreme Soul, the source and sustainer of all of existence. The true
goal of yoga is to enable us to revive our eternal loving relationship with the Su-
preme Soul. This canto also provides a glimpse into the conditions of Kali-yuga, the
present era of earthly history, an era characterised by a predominance of cheating,
hypocrisy, greed, sloth, violence, depression, lamentation, bewilderment, fear,
poverty and ignorance.

“IN ALL SPECIES OF LIFE THE SOUL

REMAINS UNCHANGING AS WE MOVE
FROM ONE BODY TO THE OTHER”
Canto 11 Chapter 3 Verse 39
“A VISIONARY SPIRITUAL TEACHER WHO UNDERSTOOD THE CHAOS OF
PRESENT-DAY CIVILIZATION AND WHO RESUSCITATED SPIRITUAL VALUES IN
THE FACE OF THE MATERIALISTIC VALUES OF CONSUMERISM AND HEDONISM
NOW DOMINATING SOCIETY.” - SHALIGRAM SHUKLA, PROFESSOR OF
LINGUISTICS, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
THE AUTHOR
Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada is a monk, scholar, visionary, activist and

exemplary yogi who is especially respected as the world’s
most prominent authority on bhakti-yoga, the yoga of love
and devotion. He founded the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1966 and pioneered a
cultural movement aimed at transforming the world through
genuine spiritual knowledge and experience. His intention
was to create a global community that embodies higher
ideals and transcends material distinctions.

Srila Prabhupada left this world in 1977, and undoubtedly

his most significant contribution has been his books. Im-
bued with uncompromising logic and the deepest wisdom,
his books present the essence of the ancient Vedic tradition
of India. They have inspired millions of seekers, activists
and scholars all over the world and are indispensable re-
sources in the quest for enlightenment, and for those seek-
ing a more conscious lifestyle.

“THE GREATEST RICHES, THE GREATEST GIFTS THAT PRABHUPADA HAD TO

OFFER A WORLD IN GREAT NEED WAS A TEACHING, A VISION, A WORLD VIEW
THAT ESSENTIALLY AND MOST BOLDLY ASSERTS THAT ALL OF REALITY, ALL
THE UNIVERSE, IS ULTIMATELY A LOVING PLACE.”
- GRAHAM M. SCHWEIG, PH.D., PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY AND
RELIGION AT CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
PAYMENT
SHRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 18 VOLUMES
“Well, $500 is a lot to pay for a set of books, but this will be the best
$500 you ever spent, in my humble opinion. Shrimad Bhagavatam is
absolutely mind blowing, challenging every materialistic paradigm with
devastating logic and searing spiritual truths.”
- Joseph Price 2014

WHAT YOU GET

- Hardbound; total 17,338 pages

- 23.2 x 16.7 x 2.8 cm
- 288 colour illustrations, jacket, ribbon; index

PRICE

$500
or
$100 deposit and payments of $25 per week

Bank Account:
ISKCON Kapati
03-0539-0403735-11

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