Teachers day.

Sri Muralidhara Swamigal said in a discourse that Srimad Bhagavatam shares the teachings of the Gurus throughout its narrative. These teachings appear in order by Skanda (chapter). In the first Skanda, sage Narada teaches Veda Vyasa. In the second Skanda, sage Suka teaches King Parikshit. Here, Suka notes that a person should think of God at least during his last moment. In the third Skanda, God as Kapila teaches his mother. Kapila explains how the fetus in the womb cries, remembers previous births, and prays for a noble Guru in this birth for liberation. The fourth Skanda shares sage Narada’s teachings to Dhruva. The fifth Skanda features Rishabhayogeeswara. He teaches that a guru cannot be called so if he fails to show the way to reach God. In the sixth Skanda, Yama, the God of death, instructs his subordinates. He tells them not to disturb or approach the devotees of God as explained in the story of Ajamila.

In the seventh Skanda, child devotee Prahlada acts as a guru and tries to explain nine types of devotion. In the eighth Skanda, Sukracharya, the preceptor of the Asuras, tries to stop King Mahabali from giving charity. However, he fails. Meanwhile, King Mahabali becomes a guru and advises Sukracharya. King Ambarisha, as a guru, demonstrates the essential features of surrender to the world. The tenth Skanda contains the Gopikas teaching Uddhava “Bhramara Geetham.” In the eleventh Skanda, the Navayogis provide a detailed explanation of Srimad Bhagavatam. Lord Krishna tells Uddhava that his devotees are more dear to him like Mahalakshmi, His divine consort, who never separates from him. In the twelfth Skanda, it is said that if a person cannot follow any other path of bhakti, he can choose the simplest way: chanting the names of God. This will wipe out all his sins (Nama Sankeerthanam yasya Sarva Papa Pranasanam).