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Srimad-Bhagavatam is the crown jewel of all revealed scriptures.

2. 1
dharmam-projhita-kaitavo 'tra paramo-nirmatsaranam satam
vedyam vastavamatra vastu-sivadam tapatrayonmulanam
srimad-bhagavate mahamuni-krte kim-vaparair-isvaram
sadyo hrdyavarudhyate'tra krtibhim susrusubhis-tat-ksanat
Completely rejecting all religious principles which are materially motivated, this Bhagavata-Purana propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are fully pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the three-fold miseries. This beautiful Srimad-Bhagavatam compiled by the great sage Vyasa in the maturity of his spiritual vision is sufficient in itself for God realization. What is the need for any other scripture? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Srimad-Bhagavatam, by this culture of knowledge, the Supreme Lord is established within his heart. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.2)
2. 2
krsna-bhakti-rasa-svarupa sri bhagavata
tate veda-sastra haite parama mahatva
Srimad-Bhagavatam gives direct information of the mellows derived from service to Sri Krsna. Therefore Srimad-Bhagavatam is above all other Vedic literatures. (Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya, 25. 150)

Srimad-Bhagavatam is the ripened fruit of the Vedic desire tree.

2. 3
nigama-kalpataror galitam phalam
suka-mukhadamrta-dravyasamyutam
pibata bhagavatam rasamalayam
muhuraho rasika bhuvi bhavukam
The Srimad-Bhagavatam is the essence of all Vedic literatures and is considered the ripened fruit of the desire tree of Vedic knowledge. It has been sweetened by emanating from the mouth of Sukadeva Goswami. O you who are thoughtful, and who relish transcentendal mellows: Always try to taste this fully ripened fruit. O thoughtful devotees, as long as you are aspiring to be absorbed in the transcendental bliss derived from the Lord's loving service, you should continue tasting this Srimad-Bhagavatam, and even when you are fully absorbed in bliss, you should go on tasting its mellows forever. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.3)

Srimad-Bhagavatam is the literary incarnation of Krsna.

2. 4
krsne-svadhamopagate. dharma-jnanadibhim saha
kalau nasthadrsamesa puranarko'dhunoditam
This Srimad-Bhagavatam is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen in order to save us from the darkness of the age of Kali, after Krsna has left for his own abode accompanied by dharma and knowledge. ( Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.3.45)

Srimad-Bhagavatam is the Paramahamsa-Samhita, the treatise on divine principles which is sung by paramahamsas for the benefit of all souls.

2. 5
anartho-pasamam-saksad-bhakti-yogam-adhoksaje
lokasyajanato vidvamscakre satvata-samhitam
yasyam vai sruyamanayam krsne parama-puruse
bhaktirutpadyate pumsam sokamohabhayapaha
The material miseries of the living entity, which are superfluous to him, can be directly mitigated by the linking process of devotional service. But the mass of people do not know this, and therefore the great sage Vyasa compiled this Vedic literature, which is in relation to the Supreme Truth. Simply by hearing this Vedic literature, the feeling for devotional service to Sri Krsna sprouts up at once to extinguish the fire of lamentation, illusion and fearfulness, within the heart. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.6-7)

Srimad-Bhagavatam is the spotless Purana, and it is dear to all the topmost paramahamsas, swanlike saints who are expert in tasting essential truth.

2. 6
srimad-bhagavatam puranam-amalam yad-vaisnavanam priyam
yasmin paramahamsyam-ekam-amalam jnanam param giyate
tatra jnana-viraga-bhakti-sahitam naiskarmyamaviskstam
tac-chrnvan supathan vicaranaparo bhaktya vimucchennaram
This Srimad-Bhagavatam is the spotless Purana, and it is especially loved by the devotees of Krsna. It contains knowledge which is especially appreciated by the paramahamsas, the topmost swanlike saints. This Srimad-Bhagavatam , when it is carefully studied, heard and understood again and again, opens the door to pure devotion which, having once passed through one never returns to the bondage of illusion, (maya ). (Srimad-Bhagavatam 12. 13. 18)

Srimad-Bhagavatam is the natural commentary on the Vedanta,
Mahabharata, the gayatri mantra, and the Vedas themselves.

2. 7
artho'yam brahma-sutranam bharatartha vinirnayam
gayatri-bhasya-rupo'sau vedartha-paribrmhitam
This Srimad-Bhagavatam explains the meaning of the Vedanta. It explains the purpose of Mahabharata, and reveals the inner meaning of the gayatri-mantra and the essence of the Vedas. (Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa 10. 394)
2. 8
gayatrir arthe ei granthanarambhana
'satyam' 'param' - sambandha, 'dhimahi' - sadhane prayojane
In the beginning of Srimad-Bhagavatam, there is an explanation of the brahma-gayatri mantra:. Satyam param dhimahi, "We meditate upon the Absolute Truth." Here, dhimahi indicates the execution of devotional service and the attainment of the ultimate goal of life, Sri Krsna, who is satyam param, the Supreme Absolute Truth. (Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya, 25. 140)
2. 9
cariveda-upanisade yata kicchu haya
tara artha laiya vyasa karila sa-caya
yei sutre yei rk visaya vacana
bhagavate sei rk slokanivandhana
ataeva brahma-sutrera bhasya - sri bhagavata
bhagavata-sloka, upanisat kahe 'eka' mata
Vyasadeva collected whatever conclusions were in the four Vedas and 108 Upanisads, and composed them in the form of codes as theVedanta-Sutras. In the Vedanta-Sutra the purpose of all Vedic knowledge is explained, and in Srimad-Bhagavatam, it is elaborated in 18,000 verses. That which is explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam and in the Upanisads serves the same purpose. (Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 25.26-28)
2. 10
ye sutra-karta, se yadi karaye vyakhyana
tabe sutrera mula artha lokera haya jnana
If the Vedanta-Sutras are explained by their author, Vyasadeva Himself, their original meaning can be easily understood by the people in general. (Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 25. 136)
2. 11
ataeva bhagavata - sutrera 'artha' rupa
nikakrta sutrera nija 'bhasya' svarupa
Srimad-Bhagavatam gives the actual meaning of theVedanta-Sutras. The author of Vedanta is Vyasadeva, and he himself has explained the meaning of Vedanta in the form of Srimad-Bhagavatam. (Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 25.139)
2. 12
ataeva bhagavata karaha vicara
iha haite pabe sutra srutir arthasara
Study Srimad-Bhagavatam very scrutinizingly. Then, you will understand the actual meaning of Vedanta . (Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 25.146)

Srimad-Bhagavatam is the essence of all the Vedas, Puranas and Itihasas.

2. 13
sarva-vedetihasanam saram saram samuddhrtam
The essence of all Vedic literatures, the Vedas, Puranas, and Itihasas, has been collected in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.3.42)

One who disregards Srimad-Bhagavatam, the natural commentary on Vedanta, and instead relies on the commentary of Sankaracarya is lost.

2. 14
jivera nistara lagi' sutra kaila vyasa
mayavadi-bhasya sunile haya sarvanasa
Srila Vyasadeva presented the Vedic literatures for the deliverance of the conditioned souls. But if one hears the commentary of Sankacarya, everything is spoiled. (Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 6.169)

Srimad-Bhagavatam reveals the inner meaning of Vedanta

2. 15
sarva-vedanta saram hi sri bhagavatam-isyate
tad-rasamrta-trptasya nanyatra syad-ratim kvacit
Srimad-Bhagavatam is accepted as the essence of all Vedic literature and Vedantic philosophy. Whoever tastes the transcendental mellow of Srimad-Bhagavatam is never attracted to any other literature. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.13.15)

Srimad-Bhagavatam is the cream of the Vedas and the very form of Krsna.

2. 16
sabe purusartha 'bhakti' bhagavate haya
'premarupa bhagavata' carivede kaya
Srimad-Bhagavatam speaks of the highest goal of life, devotional service, divine love of Krsna. It is the version of all theVedas that Srimad-Bhagavatam is the very form of divine love. The four Vedas are like yogurt, but the Srimad-Bhagavatam is like butter. The churner of this butter is Sri Sukadeva Goswami, and the eater of this butter is Pariksita Maharaja. (Caitanya Bhagavata Madhya 22. 15-16)
2. 17
krsnatulya bhaavata - vibhu, sarvasraya
prati-sloke prati-aksare nana artha kaya
Srimad-Bhagavatam is as great as Krsna Himself, the Supreme Lord and shelter of everything. In each and every verse and syllable of Srimad-Bhagavatam, there are multi-faceted meanings, for Srimad-Bhagavatam is infinite, as Krsna. (Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 24.312)
2. 18
bhagavata, tulasi gangaya, bhaktajane
caturdha vigraha krsna ei cari sane
Srimad-Bhagavatam, Tulasi-devi, the Ganges, and the devotees - Wherever these four things are found, Krsna is always present. (Caitanya Bhagavata Madhya 22.81)

Srimad-Bhagavatam is a self-manifest, eternal reality:
It is not a materialistic literature produced by ordinary human beings.

2. 19
adi-madhyanantye bhagavate ei kaya
visnu-bhakti nityasiddha aksaya avyaya
(Caitanya Bhagavata, Antya 3.506)
bhagavata-sastre se bhaktir tattva kahe
te-i bhagavata-sama kona sastra nahe
yena rupa matsya-kurmanadi avatara
avirbhava-tirobhava apanei haya
(Caitanya Bhagavata, Antya 3.509-511)
isvarera tattva yena bujhane na yaya
eimata bhagavata - sarva-sastre gaya
(Caitanya Bhagavata, Antya 3.513)
premamaya bhagavata - krsnera sri anga
tahate kahena yata gopya krsneranga
(Caitanya Bhagavata, Antya 3.516)
hena bhagavata kona duskrti padiya
nityananda ninda kare tattva na janiya
(Caitanya Bhagavata ,Antya 3.534)
Beginning, middle, and end, the Srimad-Bhagavatam speaks only of devotional service to Krsna. As such, this literature is eternally perfect, infallible, and infinite, because it fully contains all truths pertaining to the infinite. Because the Srimad-Bhagavatam speaks exclusively of the truths of pure devotional service, it is unparalleled among sastras. No other scripture can compare with Srimad-Bhagavatam. In the same way that the avataras of Sri Krsna - beginning with Matsya and Kurma - appear and disappear transcendentally, the Srimad-Bhagavatam is not of mundane origin. It appears and disappears of its own accord. In the same way that truth about God Himself is inconceivable, the Srimad-Bhagavatam is beyond material understanding. The Srimad-Bhagavatam is full of krsna-prema. It is an part of Krsna Himself, for it describes Krsna's confidential pastimes. Whoever offends the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda is a great sinner. Despite his deep study and scholarship, such a person will never understand the Srimad-Bhagavatam .

Srimad-Bhagavatam is transcendental: beyond sensual experience.

2. 20
padau yadiyau prathamadvitiyau trtiyaturyau kathitau yaduru
nabhistatha pa-cama eva yastha bhujantaram doryugalam tathanyau
ekadaso yasya lalatapattam siro'pi tu dvadasa eva bhati
tamadidevam karunanidhanam tamalavarnam suhitavataram
aparasamsara samudra-setum bhajamahe bhagavata-svarupa
I worship that Supreme Lord Sri Krsna, the origin of all the gods, the abode of mercy, who transcendental form is black like the tamal tree, and who has appeared in the form of His sound avatara - Srimad-Bhagavatam. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the literary incarnation of Krsna, and so is a bridge by which lost souls can cross over the ocean of repeated birth and death.
Srimad-Bhagavatam has twelve cantos, which correspond to the twelve different parts of Sri Krsna's holy form. The first two cantos of Srimad-Bhagavatam are the two lotus feet of Krsna. The third and fourth cantos are His two lotus thighs. The fifth canto is His lotus navel. The sixth canto is His torso and chest. The seventh and eighth cantos are his two lotus arms. The ninth canto is his throat. The tenth canto is his beautiful lotus face. The eleventh canto is His forehead, and the twelfth canto is His crown.
(Padma-Purana )

There are two kinds of Bhagavata: the book Bhagavata and the bhakta-bhagavata.

2. 21
dui sthane bhagavata nama suni matra
grantha-bhagavata, ara krsna-krpa-patra
The name bhagavata can only be applied to two things: the book Bhagavata, and the agent of Krsna's mercy, the devotee bhagavata. (Caitanya Bhagavata, Antya 3.532)
2. 22
eka bhagavata haya bhagavata-sastra
ara eka bhagavata bhakti-rasa-patra
One of the bhagavatas is the great scripture Srimad-Bhagavatam, and the other is the pure devotee bhagavata, who is absorbed in bhakti-rasa, the mellows of devotional service. (Caitanya Caritamrta, Antya 2.99)
2. 23
dui bhagavata dvara diya bhaktirasa
tahara hrdaye ta-ra preme haya vasa
Through the actions of these two bhagavatas the Lord instills the mellows of transcendental loving service (bhakti-rasa ) into the heart of a living being, and thus the Lord, in the heart of His devotee, comes under the control of the devotee's love.
(Caitanya Caritamrta Antya 2.100)
2. 24
maya-mugdha jivere nahi krsna-smrti-jnana
jivere krpaya kaile krsna veda purana
The conditioned soul cannot revive his Krsna consciousness by his own effort. But, out of causeless mercy, Sri Krsna - in the form of Vedavyasa - compiled the Vedic literature and its supplements, the Puranas. [A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, quoting the Anubhasya commentary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati hakura, remarks as follows on this verse: "...Out of his causeless mercy and compassion, Krsna has compiled various Vedic literatures in His incarnation as Vyasadeva. Vyasadeva is a saktyavesa-avatara of Lord Krsna."] (Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya 20.122)

The inconceivable nature of Srimad-Bhagavatam

2. 25
mahacintya bhagavata sarvasastre gaya
iha na bujhiye vidya, tapa, pratisthaya
'bhagavata bujhi heno yara acche jnana
se na jane kabhu bhagavatera pramana
According to the verdict of all the revealed scriptures, the Srimad-Bhagavatam is inconceivable, beyond mundane understanding. Its meaning cannot be understood either by scholarship or penance. One who is not a devotee of Krsna will never understand the Srimad-Bhagavatam, no matter how great a scholar he may be. (Caitanya Bhagavata , Madhya 22.13-14)
2. 26
bhagavate acintya isvara-buddhi y'ara
se janaye bhagavata-artha bhakti-rasa
The Srimad-Bhagavatam contains inconcevable knowledge about the Supreme Lord. One who knows this knows that the meaning of Srimad-Bhagavatam is the essence of devotion to Sri Krsna. (Caitanya Bhagavata Madhya, 22.25)
2. 27
aham vedmi suko vetti vyaso vetti na vetti va
bhaktya bhagavatam grahyam na buddhya na ca tikaya
I know, Sukadeva knows; Vyasadeva may or may not know the meaning of Srimad-Bhagavatam. The Srimad-Bhagavatam can only be known through bhakti, not by mundane intelligence or by reading many commentaries. (Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 24.315 )

Srimad-Bhagavatam can only be understood through the Vaisnavas.

2. 28
yaha bhagavata pada vaisnavera sthane
ekanta asraya kara caitanya-carane
If you want to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam, you must approach a self-realized Vaisnava and study it under his guidance, while at the same time taking exclusive shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya. (Caitanya Caritamrta Antya 5.131)
2. 29
vaisnava-pasa bhagavata kara adhyayana
Study Srimad-Bhagavatam from a Vaisnava. (Caitanya Caritamrta Antya 13.113)

Srimad-Bhagavatam should be studied under the guidance of gurudeva.

2. 30
vipra kahe, murkha ami sabdartha na jani
suddhasuddha gita padi gurunajna mani
yavat pado tavat pao krsna-darasana
ei lagi' gitapatha na cchade mora mana
Sometimes my reading of the Bhagavad-gita is correct and sometimes it is incorrect. I simply do so on the order of my guru. As long as I read Bhagavad-gita , I can see Krsna. It is for this reason I read Bhagavad-gita , and my mind cannot give it up. (Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya 9.98, 101)

One should study Srimad-Bhagavatam in the light
of the teachings of the previous acaryas.

2. 31
sridhara-svami-prasade bhagavata jani
jagad-guru sridhara-svami 'guru' kari mani
sridharanugata kara bhagavata-vyakhyana
abhimana cchari' bhaja krsna bhagavan
By the mercy of Sridhara Swami, one can understand the meaning of Srimad-Bhagavatam. For this reason he is the guru of the whole world, and I myself consider him to be my guru. You should explain the Srimad-Bhagavatam by following the version given by Sridhara Swami. Giving up all false ego, you should worship Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya 7.120, 132)

Those who do not recognize Srimad-Bhagavatam are doomed.

2. 32
mui, mora bhakta, ara grantha-bhagavate
yara bheda acche tara nasa bhalamate
Myself, my devotees, and the scripture Srimad-Bhagavatam - one who sees any difference between these three will find that all his good intelligence has been destroyed. (Caitanya Bhagavata, Madhya 22.18)
2. 33
ye va bhattacarya, cakravarti, misra saba
ta'ra o na jane saba grantha-anubhava
sastra padaiya sabe ei karma kare
srotara sahite yamapase dubi' mare
The so-called Bhattacaryas, Cakravartis, and Misras, and others who make a business out of the scriptures have no realization of the scriptures at all. All their study of the scriptures is simply karmic activity. Whoever hears from them will be bound by the ropes of Yamaraja and dragged down to hell at the time of death. (Caitanya Bhagavata Adi 2.67-68)
2. 34
bhagavata ye na mane, se yavana sama
tara sasta acche janme janme prabhu yama
Whoever has no regard for Srimad-Bhagavatam is the same as a yavana, an untouchable heathen. He will be punished birth after birth by Lord Yamaraja. (Caitanya Bhagavata Adi 2.39)

Those who are proud of their piety cannot drink with pleasure
the nectarine juice of the Srimad-Bhagavatam.

2. 35
mauna-vrata-sruta-tapo'dhyayanam svadharma-
vyakhya-raho japa-samadhaya apavargyam
prayam param purusa te tvajitendriyanam
varta bhavastyute na vatra tu dambhikanam
O Lord, there are ten prescribed methods on the way to liberation: silence, vows, hearing of Vedic knowledge, penance, study of Vedic literatures, piety, explaining the sastras, solitude, japa, and absorption in samadhi. These different methods for liberation, however, are generally only a means of livelihood for those who have not conquered their senses. And because they are falsely proud of their religious practices, these procedures are all unsuccessful. [NOTE: The implication here is that because they are proud of practicing these unsuccessful methods of liberation, these so-called religionists (who cannot control their senses) cannot appreciate Srimad-Bhagavatam., despite their performance of all manner of pious activities. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami comments on this verse: "...The ten processes for liberation or improvement on the path of liberation are not meant for devotees. Kevalaya bhaktya: if one simply engages in devotional service to the Lord, all ten methods of liberation are automatically observed." ] (Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.46)

It is prohibited by the scriptures to lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam as a profession.
One should not initiate unqualified disciples in the divine mantra as a means of increasing one's wealth. Srimad-Bhagavatam should not be recited
before the faithless simply for increasing one's prestige.

2. 36
na sisyan-anuvadhnita granthan naivabhyased-bahun
na vyakhyamupayu-jita narambhanarabhet kvacit
A sannyasi must not present allurements of material benefit to attract many disciples. He should he initiate unqualified disciples in order to expand the number of his followers for prestige and material gain. He should not unnecessarily read many books, nor should he lecture on scriptures such as the Srimad-Bhagavatam as a way of making his livelihood. He must not attempt to increase material opulence unnecessarily. He must renounce endeavors for things which are beyond his means and which cannot be attained even at the expense of great time and energy (maharambha ). [A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami's comments : "Sannyasis sometimes indulge in material opulence by unnecessarily constructing many temples and monasteries, but actually, such endeavors should be avoided. Temples and monasteries should be constructed for the preaching of Krsna consciousness, not to provide free hotels for persons who are useful for neither material nor spiritual purposes. Temples and monasteries should be strictly off-limits to worthless bands of crazy men. In the temples and monasteries, gatherings of unnecessary, rejected, lazy fellows should be strictly disallowed. The temples and monasteries should be used exclusively by devotees who are serious about spiritual advancement in Krsna consciousness. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti hakura explains the word arambha as meaning mathadi-vyaparan, which means "attempts to construct temples and monasteries." The first business of the sannyasi is to preach Krsna consciousness, but if, by the grace of Krsna, facilities are available, then he may construct temples and monasteries to give shelter to serious students of Krsna consciousness. Otherwise such temples and monasteries are not needed." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.13.8)

Who would not hear the message of Srimad-Bhagavatam?

2. 37
katha-ciddhanaikakamanaya yadi karmi vakta
srota va syattada sa virejyadevetyaha psughnadvina
One who is attached to enjoying the fruits of his work is called a karmi. Whenever such a karmi (influenced by lusty desires beginning with the desire for material wealth), hears a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam, he will stop listening and go away. Because he sees such kirtana as a hindrance to his sense gratification, the karmi will leave it at once. The Srimad-Bhagavatam refers to such persons as "killers of the soul," because they commit spiritual suicide by ignoring the message of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Who but a killer of the soul, or an animal-killer would avoid hearing the sublime message of Srimad-Bhagavatam? (From the Sarartha-darsini commentary on Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.1.4.)

Further prohibitions against lecturing on Srimad-Bhagavatam for money.

2. 38
sudranam supakari ca yo harernama-vikriyi
yo vidya-vikrayi vipro visahino yathoragam
One who is devoid of devotional service to Krsna, who cooks for sudras, who initiates disciples in the holy name for money, or who lectures on the scriptures for pay is a vipra - a highly learned brahmana - in name only. His brahminical status is destroyed by such misdeeds. Like a viper without poison who outwardly shows the form of a fearful snake to the ignorant and in so gives them a false fright, these so-called vipras control their ignorant disciples through fear and materialistic partiality, without having to show them any really praisworthy spiritual achievements. (Brahmavaivarta-Purana, Prakrti-khanda, 21st adhyaya )

One should not hear Srimad-Bhagavatam from nondevotees.

2. 39
avaisnava mukhodgirnam putam harikathamrtam
sravanam naive kartavyam sarpocchistam yatha payam
Just as milk touched by the lips of a serpent has a poisonous effect, that Hari-katha which is vibrated by nondevotees is poisonous. Both those who speak it and those who hear it will suffer from the effects of poison. (Padma-Purana )

The eighteen Puranas.

2. 40
brahmam padmam vaisnava-sca saivam laingam sagarudam
naradiyam bhagavatam agneyam skanda-samhitam
bhavisyam brahmavaivarttam markandeyam savamanam
varaham matsyam kaurma-sca brahmandakhyamiti trisat
There are eighteen Puranas - the Brahma-Purana, Padma-Purana, Visnu-Purana, Siva-Purana, Linga-Purana, Garuda-Purana, Naradiya-Purana, Bhagavata-Purana, Agni-Purana, Skandha-Purana, Brahma-Vaivarta-Purana, Markandeya-Purana, Vamana-Purana, Varaha-Purana, Matsya-Purana, Kurma-Purana, and Brahmanda-Purana.

The Puranas have three divisions: sattvika, rajasika, and tamasika:
Puranas in the mode of goodness, passion, and ignorance.

2. 41
vaisnavam naradiya-sca tatha bhagavatam subham
garuda-sca tatha tadmam varaham subhadarsane
sattvikani puranani vij-eyani manisibhim
brahmyandam brahmavaivarttam markandeyam tathaiva ca
bhavisyam vamanam brahmam rajasani nibodhata
matsyam kaurmam tatha laingam saivam skandam tathaiva ca
agneya-sca yatetani tamasani nibodhata
O you of perfect vision! The self-realized sages have determined that there are three divisions of the eighteen Puranas, corresponding to the modes of goodness, passion, and ignorance. The Visnu, Naradiya, Bhagavata, Garuda, Padma, and Varaha Puranas are the six Puranas in the mode of goodness, sattva-guna. The Brahmanda, Brahmavaivarta, Markandeya, Bhavisya, Vamana, and Brahma Puranas are the six Puranas in the mode of ignorance, tamo-gunam. (Brahma-Vaivarta Purana.) [NOTE: The six Puranas in the mode of passion, raja-guna, are the Skandha, Matsya, Kurma, Linga, Siva, and Agni-Puranas. ]
2. 42
sattvikesu ca kalpesu mahatmyamadhikam harem
rajasesu ca mahatmyamadhikam brahmano vidum
sakteragnesca mahatmyam tamasesu sivasya ca
sankirnesu sarasvatyam pitrna-sca nigadyate
The Puranas in the mode of goodness glorify Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, while the Puranas in the mode of passion promote the glories of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. In the same way, the Puranas in the mode of ignorance celebrate the greatness of Agni, Siva, and Durga. There are also many other scriptures which contain different mixtures of goodness, passion, and ignorance and promote the worship of different demigods like Saraswati and Laksmi, as well as the worship of ancestors, and many other lower religious processes. (Tattva-Sandarbha, 17)

What is to be known as sastra or scripture?

2. 43
rg-yajum-samatharva-sca bharatam pa-caratrakam
mula-ramayana-scaiva saastramityabhidhiyate
yacchanukulametasya taccha saastram prakirtitam
ato'nya grasthavistaro naiva sastram kurvatmatat
The ¨g, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva Vedas, as well as the Mahabharata, the Narada-Pa-caratra, and the Ramayana , are certainly known as sastra, or revealed scripture. Those books that favorably follow in the footsteps of these authorized literatures are also designated as sastra. All other literatures ( which are not in pursuance of these authorized scriptures) simply lead one down the wrong path, and can never be known as scriptures. (Madhva-Bhasyadhrta Skandavacana )

What is to be known as Pancaratra?

2. 44
ratrams ca jnanavacanam jnanam pa-cavidham smrtam
tenedam pa-caratrams ca pravadanti manisinam
The wordpa-ca means five. The word ratra means jnana, or knowledge. According to authorities there are five kinds of knowledge. [NOTE: These five kinds of knowledge are: 1) Vedic, 2) Yogic, 3) Knowledge which is a product of the world of birth and death, or experiential knowledge, 4) Knowledge by which liberation is attained, and 5) Knowledge by which one attains to the loving service of Sri Krsna.] To explain these, saints and sages have composed scriptures known as Pancaratra : "treatise on five kinds of knowledge." (Narada Pa-caratra, 1.2.44)
2. 45
evam ekam samkhyayogam vedaranakameva ca
parasparanganyetani pa-caratrastu kathyate
Literature which explains the five different kinds of Vedic literatures: 1)Samkhya-sastra, 2) Yoga-sastra, 3) theVedas, 4) the different branches of theVedas, and 5) the sub-branches of all of these literatures is known as Pa-caratra. (Mahabharata-Santiparva, Moksa-Dharma 349th adhyaya )

The words of the Pa-caratra are as good as God.

2. 46
jnanam paramatattvams ca janma-mrtyu-jarapaham
tato mrtyu-jayam sambhum samprapa krsnavaktratam
The best of innumerable Vaisnnavas, the death-conquering Shambu, heard the Pa-caratra from the lotus mouth of Sri Krsna. The knowledge contained in Pa-caratra puts an end to birth, death, old age and disease and reveals the Supreme truth. (Narada Pa-caratra 1.2.45)

Narada Pa-caratra is the cream of all Vedic literatures.

2. 47
drstha sarvam samalokya jnanam samprapya sankarat
jnanamrtam pa-caratram cakara narado munim
Srila Narada Muni, after studying all the sastras, heard this unparalleled transcendental knowledge from the lotus mouth of the best of devotees, Lord Siva, who heard it from Sri Krsna Himself. At that time he compiled the Pa-caratra , which is the essence of nectar. (Narada Pa-caratra 1.2.56)
2. 48
sarabhutams ca sarvesam vedanam paramadbhutam
naradiyam pa-caratram puranesu sudurlabham
The Narada Pa-caratra is the essence of all the Vedas . It is possessed of extremely wonderful and divine qualities. Among the Puranas, it is very rare to find such a wonderful scripture. (Narada Pa-caratra 1.2.61)

Narada Pa-caratra is Authorized.

2. 49
"pa-caratrasya krtsnasya vakta tu bhagavan svayam
sarvesu ca nrpasresdha jnanesvebhesu drsyate
yathagamam yathajnanam nisdha narayanam prabhum
na caivamenam jananti tamobhuta visampate
tameva sastrakartaram pravadanti manisinam
nimsamsayesu sarvesu nityam vasati vai harim
sa samsayaddhetu balannadhyavasati madhavam"
atra pa-caratrameva garisthamacestha pa-caratrasetyadau bhagavan svayamiti. daivaprakrtayastu tattatsarvavalokanena pa-caratraprati padye sri narayana ei paryavasantityaha sarvasvati. asuramstu nindati na cainamiti. nimsamsyesviti tasmat jhatiti vedartha-pratipattaye pa-caratramevadhyetavyamiti.

[NOTE: Jiva Goswami quotes the following verse from the Mahabharata in his Paramatma-Sandarbha. His comment follows the quotation.]
"O best of Kings! This Narada Pa-caratra was spoken by Bhagavan Himself. Having carefully scrutinized all the revealed scriptures of divine knowledge, and having divined their essential meanings, Lord Narayana established this truth, which is without material boundaries. O my Lord! Those who are ensconced in the mode of ignorance, and who are saturated with the qualities of ignorance can never understand this literature or the different kinds of truths it expounds. Throughout the scriptures that they have compiled, the great rsis glorify Lord Narayana. In those scriptures that are without doubt, Sri Krsna eternally resides. Of those scriptures that are filled with doubts and arguments, it is said to that Sri Krsna doesn't reside there." [NOTE: This ends the quotation from Mahabharata. Jiva Goswai's comment follows.]
"Pa-caratrasya krtsnasya vakta tu bhagavan svayam," means that God Himself has spoken the Narada Pa-caratra . It is therefore the best of all literatures. The line beginning with the word sarvesu means that Lord Narayana established Narada Pa-caratra on the basis of divine reality, and that Narada Pa-caratra is therefore supernaturally excellent among all revealed scriptures. The line beginning with the words na cainam explains that those whose nature is envious, and nondevotional, the demons or asuras , will never be able to understand this sublime literature. The line beginning nimsamsayesu explains that for one who properly studies the Narada Pa-caratra all the imports of the Vedas will become clear, and he will become purified of all doubts in a very short time. (Paramatma-Sandarbha, 18, and Mahabharata )

Thus ends the second jewel of the Gaudiya-Kanthahara: Bhagavat-Tattva

Bhagavata-Tattva: The Bhagavata Principle page