(This is a literal translation of the speech originally given in Tamil by Sri Swamigal.)

"Bharath (India) is a pure land across which the seven holy rivers, viz., Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Sindhu, Cauvery and Saraswathi, flow. This is the land of Jivan Mukthas (liberated ones). It is easy to find those who strive for liberation (sadhaks) and those who devoutly perform religious rituals (karma anushthanams); but to find a Jivan Muktha is very rare indeed. And in our times we have been blessed with the darshan of Mahaperiyaval(Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal), a Jivan Muktha."

"Devotees celebrate Mahaperiyaval's Jayanthi in various ways - through Veda Paarayanam, Adhi Rudram, Chandi Homam, etc.. But we always celebrate the occasion with Bhagavatha Sapthaham as Bhagavatham is Brahma Swaroopam (the very form of Brahman) and hence is loved by Jivan Mukthas."

"Prasthana thrayam actually refers to Naama, Roopa and Karma -- but it is popularly known to include the Gita, Upanishad and Brahma Sutram. Scholars desire to add Bhagavatham to this and term it as Prasthana Chathurtham."

"But, in my opinion the first three are saadhana vasthu (i.e. means to attain liberation) whereas Bhagavatham is saadhya vasthu(i.e the End). Bhagavatham is the very essence of Prasthana Thrayam. Gita, Brahma Sutram and Upanishads show the way to Brahman but Bhagavatham is Brahma Swaroopam itself. That is why a Brahma Jnani like Sri Shukar adored Bhagavatham."

"'Bhagavatham'- the very sound showers blessings on one and all. To listen to even one shloka (verse) earns enormous blessings. To listen to the recital as a Sapthaham (seven- day rendering of the entire Text) is indeed a rare fortune. But, all of us here are extremely fortunate to be a part of this Mahotsavam where 108 Bhagavathars will simultaneously render Shrimad Bhagavatham in seven days."

"The worth of any act varies according to Desa, Kaala and Vyakthi (place, time and person, respectively). In different kshetras the Lord is pleased with different kinds of offerings. Tirupathi Srinivasa Perumal is pleased with Dhanam (wealth), Udupi Sri Krishna with Anna Dhaanam (offering of food), Badrinarayana with Brahmacharyam (celibacy), Lord Panduranga with Naama Kirtanam, in Trichur the Lord is pleased with vedi-vazhipaadu (bursting of fire-crackers) and in Guruvayur, Lord Guruvayurappan is pleased with Bhagavatha Saptham. In this case the place is Guruvayur which is the Bhagavatha Kshethra; the time falls between Sankara Jayanthi and Mahaperiyaval's Jayanthi and the person/listener is none other than Lord Guruvayurappan."

"Down the ages, the title 'Jagadguru' has been conferred only on two. One is Adi Sankara (and those coming in the Sankara Order) and the other is Lord Krishna ('Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum'). And here, Bhagavatham is being read to celebrate the Jayanthi of one Jagadguru (Mahaperiyaval) and the listener being the other Jagadguru (Lord Krishna). May all the participants receive the blessings of the Lord and be benefited to the full."