It is sometimes said that Mahabharata helps us in learning the art of living, Ramayana teaches us how to lead ideally, and Bhagavata Purana gives us the art of leaving the world. Actually, Bhagavata Purana lays down the art of living, leading and leaving simultaneously.
Srila Sukadeva Gosvami appeared by Krsna’s will exactly at the appropriate moment. Maharaja Pariksit has asked two questions at the end of Canto 1: (1) What is our duty in all circumstances of life? (2) What should be the specific duty of a person who is about to die? What should one hear, chant, worship and remember?
At the beginning of Canto 2, Srila Sukadeva Gosvami begins to answer these two questions with the glorification of the questions first. Maharaja Parikshit’s questions are most glorious because of 3 reasons: (1) They are beneficial for all kinds of people, (2) the answer is the prime subject matter for hearing and (3) the answer is approved by all transcendentalists.
2.1.1p: The topics of Lord Krsna are so auspicious that they purify the speaker, the hearer and the inquirer.
Do the people choose to hear other topics at the time of death? Indeed, because they are leading the life of a grihamedhi (as opposed to a grihastha).
Srila Sukadeva Gosvami criticizes them as follows: (1) They do not know the Absolute Truth, nor are they interested in inquiring into the Absolute Truth. (2) They are absorbed in ephimeral and are sheltered by fallible soldiers. (3) Although sufficiently experienced, they attempt only material improvement thinking themselves to be safe within the orbit of family, society or country.