Vyasa's classic, the Srimad Bhagavatam, which belongs to that category of religious literature known as the Puranas, carved out a special niche for itself long ago in the Indian psyche. Considered on a par with the Upanisads and the Gita, it is often honoured as being the fifth Veda. Its influence on every aspect of Indian life is unquestionable, and is most evident in art, music, drama, literature, and festivals. Spiritual aspirants, especially those following the path of love and devotion, consider this book to be supreme, for herein one finds a perfect blend of ecstatic love and firm discrimination. It is fried in the butter of knowledge and steeped in the honey of love, says Sri Ramakrishna. In twelve books, comprising eighteen thousand verses, it weaves an enchanting story about life and existence with divine thread as its warp and woof. The goal of human life and the means to attain it through the Bhagavata Dharma which it expounds are delightfully presented through mythology, philosophy, metaphysics, cosmogony, etc., making it one of the most fascinating and cherished religious encyclopaedias of all times.