Evidences from various sources in the Bhagavata religion suggests that the Bhagavata Purana was compiled over a number of centuries. This lecture argues that the present form of the Purana took shape in the 9th century CE but began before the 4th century BCE.

Dennis Hudson, Professor of World Religions Emeritus has taught at Smith College since 1970. His fields of study and teaching are the religions and cultures of South India, with special attention to Tamilnadu. His book 'Protestant origins in India 1706-1835' appeared in 2000. He is working on a study of the Vaikunta Perumal in Kanchipuram 'The body of God' to be published by Oxford University Press. The study has opened questions about the history of the Bhagavata religion including the question of how to explain the structure of the Bhagavata Purana and how to determine its date.