Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.12.39
Visarga· Brahmā's creationThe Purāṇas Preserve Universal History
“Then he created the fifth Veda — the Purāṇas and the histories — from all his mouths, since he could see all the past, present and future.”
What the purport teaches
- The Purāṇas and histories, called the fifth Veda, manifested from all of Brahmā’s mouths.
- Unlike histories limited to particular countries or nations, the Purāṇas describe the history of the universe across many kalpas.
- Brahmā could see past, present and future and knew these historical facts. As originally composed by him, the Purāṇas are part of the Vedas.
Try this today
Write a one-sentence note explaining why the Purāṇas are called the fifth Veda.
Ask yourself
How does the Purāṇas’ vast historical scope broaden my perspective?
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.