Bhāgavatapurāṇa-Prathamaskandha

Bhāgavatapurāṇa-Prathamaskandha is the 1st canto of the purāṇic text which contains 19 Adhyāyas (chapters). It is listed among the18 Mahāpurāṇas. This Ms. contains a commentary Bhāgavatabhāvārthadīpikā by Śrīdharasvāmin which gives good clarity on the complex philosophy and devotional themes present in the text. The text primarily belongs to the Vaiṣṇava philosophy. Skandha-1 contains a dialogue between Sūta and Śaunaka ṛṣi (sage) setting the stage for the purpose of the text. It also mentions the various incarnations of supreme deity Viṣṇu especially Kṛṣṇa. There is a conversation between Nārada and Vyāsa giving details on the role of dovotion to the lord being the highest path for liberation. The text also contains stories from the epic Mahābhārata. This Ms. contains Adhyāya-1 (f.1b–7a), Adhyāya-2 (f.7b–12a), Adhyāya-3 (f.12b–17a), Adhyāya-4 (f.17b–20a), Adhyāya-5 (f.20b–25a), Adhyāya-6 (f.25a–27b), Adhyāya-7 (f.27b–31b), Adhyāya-8 (f.27b–35b), Adhyāya-9 (f.35b–39a), Adhyāya-10 (f.39a–41b), Adhyāya-11 (f.41b–44a), Adhyāya-12 (f.44a–46b), Adhyāya-13 (f.47a–51a), Adhyāya-14 (f.51b–54a), Adhyāya-15 (f.54b–60a), Adhyāya-16 (f.60b–63a), Adhyāya-17 (f.63b–66a), Adhyāya-18 (f.66b–70b), Adhyāya-19 (f.71a–74a). This Ms. is written in 9–16 lines per folio. Cover and back page contain title. Title also present in intermediate colophons present after every chapter. Maṅgalavākya is dedicated to three deities Gaṇesha, Lakṣmī and Nṛsiṃha. There are triple red vertical margins present on each side of the folio. The (Pūrna Virāma) full stop style vertical brackets are in red. Significant syllables and words are rubbed with orange powder for highlighting. Mistakes are covered with yellow. Marginal corrections are present. Some additions are by a different hand.