Knows the import in truth through his gurus' grace
'Vettha tvam saumya tat-sarvam tattvatah tad-anugrahat' - gurus disclose even the secret to the affectionate disciple (SB 1.1.8).
Sage
Suta
सूत
Also known as रौमहर्षणिः · Suta Romaharshani (son of Romaharshana)
Suta is the narrator of the Bhagavata's outer frame: son of Vyasa's disciple Romaharshana, the expert reciter of the Puranas and Itihasas. SB 1.4.22 (his own statement): 'itihasa-purāṇānāṁ pitā me romaharṣaṇaḥ'; SB 1.4.13: Shaunaka calls him 'fully versed in the province of speech'.
Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa 1.1.5 — Sanskrit Wikisource (pinned oldid=110172)
Student
Shaunaka
Sage
Suta is the student of Shaunaka. Source evidence (SB 1.3.45): Suta, residing in that assembly, learned the Bhagavata by the grace of the greatly effulgent brahmana-rishi (Shaunaka): 'aham cadhyagamam tatra nivistas tad-anugrahat' (SB 1.3.44-45). Evidence: STRONG_CONTEXT (referent of tad-anugrahat).
Son Romaharshana SageSuta is the son of Romaharshana. Source evidence (SB 1.2.1): Romaharshana is Suta's father: the patronymic 'raumaharshanih' (SB 1.2.1). Evidence: EXPLICIT.
Helmsman across the ocean of Kali
Appointed by the Creator, he ferries across insurmountable, vitality-draining Kali as a helmsman the ocean: 'karnadharo ivarnavam' (SB 1.1.22).
Learned the Bhagavata in that assembly and retells it as received
'Aham cadhyagamam tatra nivistas tad-anugrahat... sravayisyami yathadhitam yatha-matih' (SB 1.3.45).
Though born of a mixed union, made his birth fruitful by the company of the great
'aho vayam janma-bhrito 'dya hasma vriddhanuvrittyapi viloma-jatah dauskulyam adhim vidhunoti shighram mahattamanam abhidhana-yogah' (SB 1.18.18).
Suta — learned — Puranas
Suta has studied the Puranas as expounded by the masters: 'tvaya khalu puranani... adhitani' (SB 1.1.6). Evidence: EXPLICIT.
Suta — learned — Itihasas
Suta has studied the Itihasas along with the Puranas (SB 1.1.6). Evidence: EXPLICIT.
Suta — learned — Dharma Shastras
Suta has studied whatever Dharma-shastras there be: 'dharma-sastrani yany uta' (SB 1.1.6). Evidence: EXPLICIT.
Suta — appointed by — Brahma
Suta was shown/appointed by the Creator (dhata) to the sages as the helmsman for crossing untraversable Kali: 'tvam nah samdarshito dhatra... karnadharo ivarnavam' (SB 1.1.22). Dhata = Brahma the creator (gloss shared by Sanyal and the tradition). Evidence: STRONG_CONTEXT.
Opened his reply bowing to Narayana, Nara, Sarasvati and Vyasa
Delighted by the questions he first honored the sages' words, then bowed and spoke (SB 1.2.1, 1.2.4).
Suta — offers obeisance to — Narayana
Suta opens his reply bowing to Narayana: 'narayanam namaskrtya' (SB 1.2.4). Evidence: EXPLICIT.
Suta — offers obeisance to — Nara
Suta bows to Nara, 'the best of men': 'naram caiva narottamam' (SB 1.2.4). Evidence: EXPLICIT.
Suta — offers obeisance to — Sarasvati
Suta bows to the Goddess Sarasvati: 'devim sarasvatim' (SB 1.2.4). Evidence: EXPLICIT.
Suta — offers obeisance to — Vyasa
Suta bows to Vyasa before sounding the jaya: 'devim sarasvatim vyasam tato jayam udirayet' (SB 1.2.4). Evidence: EXPLICIT.