6 Answers
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Srimad Bhagavatam is presented in discourse as ‘Saptaham’ (reading for 7 days).
1) First Bhagavata Saptaham:
It all started in the forest of Naimisaranya the sages of Sounagathi approached Suta, enquired about Bhagavatam. Naradha Muni approached Vyasa to give Bhagavatam to this world.
Vysa under the direction of Narada Muni , his spiritual master wrote and compiled Srimad Bhagavatam. After Compiling the Bhagavatam, Vysa imparted the Bhagvatam to his son Suka Bramha rishi.
Sukabrahma rishi subsequently recited the entire Bhagavatam to Maharaja parikshit in an assembly of learned saints on the bank of the Ganges at Hastinapura (now Delhi). Maharaja parikshit was the emperor of the world and was a great rajarsi (saintly king). Having received the curse that he would die within a week, he renounced his entire kingdom and retired to the bank of the Ganges to fast until death and receive spiritual enlightenment.
Sukabrahma rishi, in response to the various questions raised by posed by Maharaja parikshit, concerning everything from the nature of the self to the origin of the universe, held the assembled sages in rapt attention continuously for the seven days (SAPTHAHAM) leading up to the king’s death.
2) On Saptaham by Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji :
Why is it 7 days and not 6 or 5 or 8 days? What is the validation for this?
Sage Narada tells his disciple child Dhruva about the place called Madhuvanam near Vrindavan, on the banks of the Yamuna for doing tapas (to do penance and austerities).
पुण्यं मधुवनं यत्र सान्निध्यं नित्यदा हरेः
He also describes the form of the Lord and gives ‘upadesa’ of the very important Mantra – ‘Dwãdasãkshari Mantra’ that contains 12 letters.
Then Sage Narada advices him to repeat the Mantra for seven days ( “Sapta-rãrtam prapatan!’ – “Chant for seven days!” – यं सप्तरात्रं प्रपठन् )
Thus, Narada advises the rule of that Mantra Shastra – “Chant for 7 days.”
Since 7 days is a ‘vidhi’ (rule/regulation) for Mantras, we perform ‘Nãma Saptãha Yajna’ (Chanting Mahamntra for 7 days).
Srimad Bhagavatam is also performed as ‘Saptaham’ (reading for 7 days).
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Bhagavata Saptaham is narration and explanation of the contents of Srimad Bhagavatam over a period of seven days with a definite time schedule by a well learned scholar. It is also a part of temple festivals in South India.
Bhagavatha discourses are held at many places all over the country by scholars and saints to enlighten the people by reading the essence and beauty of the great Purana. Such narration requires special talents and blessing from God to keep the audience spell bound continuously for hours, over a period of seven days.
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the first Saptaham was held for ShriParkshit Maharaja ho was cursed by the Brhamin boy as the Maharaja put a dead snake on the neck of his father, a Muni who was medidating. The a perfect gentle man, a Rajarshi who was the grandson of the noble Pandavas mistook that the Muni was actng s though medidating as he wanted to aviod the King. The boy cursed that let the king by died by the bite of the snake Thakshaka on the seventh day. on hearing the sapa, the Kinglaid on the side of Ganaga river and heard the Bhagavatha fron SriSuka Brahmarshi for seven days. The Bhagavath katha anusmaran is now being followed as Saptaha in memory of the great event. ShrimatBhagavatha is a great sacred text whic has no parellel in world history. unfortunately many many people even in our country do not know about it leave alone the world. Mahathmaji regreted that he came to know about Shrimat Baghavatha very late in his life. Let us read this great treasure daily and make our life happy!! Om Namo Bhagavaete Vasudevaya!!
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Srimad Bhagavatam Parayanam
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Bhagavatha Sapthaham
Shrimad Bhagavatham is a sacred text rendered by Sage Veda Vyasa.
Despite the fact that Veda Vyasa passed on the Vedas, the Puranas and the Mahabharatha to his disciples he felt a void in his heart.
To fill this void, he was initiated by sage Narada into doing a Bhakthi Grantha (devotional scripture) on lord Krishna, namely, Shrimad Bhagavatham.
Though Sage Veda Vyasa passed on theVedas, the Puranas and the Mahabharatha to his disciples he kept Shrimad Bhagavatham, the greatest treasure, to himself, as he felt that the recipient had to be of the highest order.
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Sreemad Bhagavatha Parayanam over a period of 7 days is called Sapthaha Yajna. As per the rules laid out by our rishees, one must read the text and a minimum of one to hear, one vaaktha and one srotha