Birth of Srimad Bhagavatam
After getting cursed by the son of a sage, Maharaja Parikshit prepared himself to go back to the Godhead Krishna.
What he did?
Srimad Bhagavatam explains that:
While returning home, the Mahārāja Parīkṣit felt that the act he had committed against the faultless and powerful brāhmaṇa was heinous and uncivilized. Consequently he was distressed.
(King Parikshit Punishes Kali Purusha! READ HERE!)
Meantime, he received news of his imminent death due to the bite of a snake-bird, occasioned by the curse spoken by the sage’s son.
The King accepted this as good news, for it would be the cause of his indifference toward worldly things.
He sat down firmly on the banks of the Ganges to concentrate his mind in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and to fast until death and give himself up to the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who alone is able to award liberation.
So, freeing himself from all kinds of associations and attachments, he accepted the vows of a sage.
At that time all the great minds and thinkers, accompanied by their disciples, and sages who could verily sanctify a place of pilgrimage just by their presence, arrived there on the plea of making a pilgrim’s journey.
From different parts of the universe there arrived great sages like Atri, Cyavana, Śaradvān, Ariṣṭanemi, Bhṛgu, Vasiṣṭha, Parāśara, Viśvāmitra, Aṅgirā, Paraśurāma, Utathya, Indrapramada, Idhmavāhu, Medhātithi, Devala, Ārṣṭiṣeṇa, Bhāradvāja, Gautama, Pippalāda, Maitreya, Aurva, Kavaṣa, Kumbhayoni, Dvaipāyana and the great personality Nārada.
There were also many other saintly demigods, kings and special royal orders called arunadayas [a special rank of rajarṣis] from different dynasties of sages.
When they all assembled together to meet the Emperor Parīkṣit, he received them properly and bowed his head to the ground.
Then he humbly told them of his decision to fast until death.
(State of Dharma in Kali yuga! READ HERE!)
In perfect self-control, he sat down on a seat of straw, with straw-roots facing the east, placed on the southern bank of the Ganges, and he himself faced the north.
Just previously he had given charge of his kingdom over to his son.
All the demigods of the higher planets praised the King’s actions and in pleasure continually scattered flowers over the earth and beat celestial drums.
All the great sages who were assembled there also praised the decision of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, and they expressed their approval by saying “Very good.”
The King said: O trustworthy brāhmaṇas, I now ask you about my immediate duty. Please, after proper deliberation, tell me of the unalloyed duty of everyone in all circumstances, and specifically of those who are just about to die.
At that moment there appeared Sri Sukadeva Goavami, the powerful son of Vyāsadeva, who traveled over the earth disinterested and satisfied with himself. He did not manifest any symptoms of belonging to any social order or status of life. He was surrounded with women and children, and he dressed as if others had neglected him.
This son of Vyasadeva was only sixteen years old. He was naked, and the hue of his body reflected that of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Mahārāja Parīkṣit, who is also known as Viṣṇurāta [one who is always protected by Viṣṇu], bowed his head to receive the chief guest, Śukadeva Gosvāmī.
Mahārāja Parīkṣit, approached him, offered his respects by bowing before him, and politely inquired with sweet words and folded hands.
“Please let me know what a man should hear, chant, remember and worship, and also what he should not do. Please explain all this to me.”
Then the great and powerful personality, the son of Vyāsadeva, who knew the principles of religion, began his reply.
This is the Point where Srimad Bhagavatam was started to be spoken by Sri Sukadeva Gosvami.
(Maharaja Parikshit is Cursed! READ HERE!)