The Srimad-Bhagavatam is the essence and ripened fruit of all the Vedas. It covers the Absolute Truth up to love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which is the ultimate goal of the living entity. The author requests us to taste the juice, or rasa, of this book.
The Vedas teach us how to live properly in this material world and what the ultimate goal of life is. Just as if we follow the laws of the state, we live peacefully and are not disturbed, similarly, if we do not follow the laws of the state, we are punished by the government. In the same way, the Vedas teach us how to live happily in the material world. If we do not follow their rules and regulations, we shall suffer in material existence.
This material life is not meant for the spirit soul. It is simply a misunderstanding that we want to enjoy material life. Although Krsna gives specific instructions regarding material enjoyment, in the end we realize that this is not our real life. Our real life is spiritual.
The human form of life is meant for understanding the real truth and becoming perfect by realizing, "I am Brahman." If one does not cultivate spiritual life, one lives like a cat or a dog, and the result is repeated birth and death.
Therefore, human life is meant for self-realization. By studying and following the rules and regulations of the Vedas, one comes to understand Krsna. However, the Srimad-Bhagavatam directly gives us what we need in life because it is the essence and ripened fruit of all Vedic knowledge. Although the Vedas are divided into many sections, the Srimad-Bhagavatam is the essence of all Vedic literature.
The saints gathered at Naimisaranya and asked Suta Goswami that since Krsna had departed from the material world, who would now preach spiritual knowledge? Who would guide humanity? From where should people learn?
The answer is the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Just as the Bhagavad-gita is nondifferent from Krsna, the Srimad-Bhagavatam is also the sound representation of Krsna. Both are sound incarnations of the Lord.
When a ripe fruit is tasted by a parrot, it naturally becomes even sweeter. Similarly, the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the ripened fruit of Vedic knowledge, became even sweeter when spoken by Sukadeva Goswami. He received this knowledge from his father, Vyasadeva. The name Suka means "parrot." He was the spiritual master of Suta Goswami. Although he was only sixteen years old when he spoke the Srimad-Bhagavatam, he was already liberated in the impersonal understanding of the Absolute Truth. However, after hearing about the pastimes of Krsna from his father, he became attracted to them and spoke the Bhagavatam.
Sukadeva Goswami first spoke the Srimad-Bhagavatam to Pariksit Maharaja. Pariksit Maharaja was a king who had been cursed by the son of a brahmana that he would die within seven days. Therefore, he gave up his kingdom, wealth, and possessions, entrusted everything to his son, and sat on the bank of the Yamuna. Since he was a great king, many sages assembled there.
Pariksit Maharaja asked, "What is my duty? Please tell me. You are all great and learned sages. I will die within a week."
Many sages advised different processes, such as jnana-yoga and other paths. Then Sukadeva Goswami arrived, and everyone stood up to receive him with respect. Pariksit Maharaja again asked, "What is my duty?" Sukadeva Goswami replied, "Very well, I shall explain the Srimad-Bhagavatam." Everyone agreed.
Thus, just as a ripe fruit becomes sweeter after being tasted by a parrot, the Srimad-Bhagavatam became even sweeter after being spoken by Sukadeva Goswami.
Krsna is the reservoir of all transcendental pleasure. He is the supreme object of yoga. He reveals Himself to His devotees, and by the mercy of His devotees, everyone can relish His intimate association.
Conclusion
Since Sukadeva Goswami was a pure devotee and a liberated soul, one should receive spiritual knowledge from the Lord's pure devotees, especially through the Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita.
One should not hear from non-devotees. Srila Prabhupada repeatedly emphasized that hearing from non-devotees is like drinking milk touched by the lips of a serpent—it becomes poisonous, and accepting such knowledge leads to spiritual ruin.
Therefore, one should hear from pure devotees to attain spiritual advancement, for hearing from non-devotees leads to the degradation of one's spiritual life.