"Regarding the question (In Vol. I, First Canto, Ch. 1, Text 1, pp 59of Srimad-Bhagavatam, it is stated, 'Anyone who hands over a charity of this great work on the full moon day attains to the highest perfection of human life by going back to home, back to Godhead.' Does this mean by giving the gayatri mantra only, Vol. I, or the complete work?) it is not the gayatri mantra, but the Srimad-Bhagavatam. The idea is that in olden days there was no press. So books were not available printed. Formerly, great aristocratic families, kings and rich men, they used to engage a qualified brahmana to copy Srimad-Bhagavatam in handwriting, and then present it to a suitable person, especially brahmanas, in a gold casket. That was the system. But since printing machine had been introduced, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and other literatures are being printed. So therefore, this reference in the Skanda Purana is in connection with giving Srimad-Bhagavatam, in handwriting. That was a great work of charity. This charity, however, included the complete Srimad-Bhagavatam, and neither Vol one nor two. That was the process. Still there are many rich men in India who have engaged learned brahmanas to copy Srimad Bhagavatam in handwriting, and they give in charity, to a qualified person, in the above way."
(SPL to Candravali, 16th October, 1968)