Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Skandha 1)

Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Skandha 1) is the 1st canto of this purāṇic text which contains 19 Adhyāyas (chapters). The text 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 school 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–5a), Adhyāya-2 (f.5b–8b), Adhyāya-3 (f.8b–12a), Adhyāya-4 (f.12a–13a), Adhyāya-5 (f.13b–17b), Adhyāya-6 (f.17b–20a), Adhyāya-7 (f.20a–23b), Adhyāya-8 (f.24a–27b), Adhyāya-9 (f.27b–31a), Adhyāya-10 (f.31b–34b), Adhyāya-11 (f.34b–37a), Adhyāya-12 (f.37b–39b), Adhyāya-13 (f.39b–43a), Adhyāya-14 (f.43a–45a), Adhyāya-15 (f.45a–49a), Adhyāya-16 (f.49a–51a), Adhyāya-17 (f.51b–54a), Adhyāya-18 (f.54a–57a), Adhyāya-19 (f.57a–59b). This Ms. is written in 12–22 lines per folio. Cover page is blank. There is a square in the centre of (f.1b) with text in magenta wheare Ms. is dated Saṃvat 1869. Mistakes are covered with yellow. Marginal corrections are present.