Abstract
The Bhagavatapurana is one of the most important works of Sanskrit literature and is one of the mainstays of Indian religious traditions. The extensive, collectively-anonymous work, probably from the 10th century AD, is the best known and at the same time the most influential fruit of the extremely productive genre of religious-narrative literature, collectively called the Puranas.
The 10th book of this Purana describes the classical biography of the god Krishna, who descended to earth, was born as a human, grew up among the shepherds in a region called Braj, and in adulthood became a faithful protector not only of his clan but of all good and righteous people. In addition to an engaging narrative line and important philosophical passages concerning the ideas of the nature of God, man and their relationship, the text also has high literary qualities that have been appreciated by generations of Indian artists, thinkers and, last but not least, listeners of Krishna’s life story.
The Czech translation of this canonical work is the first comprehensive example of the Purana genre translated from the Sanskrit original.