Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.4.20
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Purāṇas Are the Fifth Veda
“The four divisions of the original sources of knowledge [the Vedas] were made separately. But the historical facts and authentic stories mentioned in the Purāṇas are called the fifth Veda.”
What the purport teaches
- The Vedas are described as original sources of knowledge.
- These original sources of knowledge were arranged into four separate divisions.
- The historical facts and authentic stories in the Purāṇas are called the fifth Veda.
Try this today
Read the translation slowly and note the place it gives the Purāṇas among the sources of knowledge.
Ask yourself
How does the description of the Purāṇas as the fifth Veda shape my approach to reading them?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.