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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 1 · Chapter 4: The Appearance of Śrī Nārada
1.4.191.4.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.4.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.4.14inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

ऋग्यजु:सामाथर्वाख्या वेदाश्चत्वार उद्‍धृता: ।

इतिहासपुराणं च पञ्चमो वेद उच्यते ॥ २० ॥

ṛg-yajuḥ-sāmātharvākhyā

vedāś catvāra uddhṛtāḥ

itihāsa-purāṇaṁ ca

pañcamo veda ucyate

Translation

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.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Purāṇas Are the Fifth Veda

  1. 1

    The Vedas are described as original sources of knowledge.

  2. 2

    These original sources of knowledge were arranged into four separate divisions.

  3. 3

    The historical facts and authentic stories in the Purāṇas are called the fifth Veda.

How it feels

Dissatisfaction → Inspired clarity. Even great accomplishment leaves Vyāsa without contentment until devotion is centered.

Chapters 4–6 of Canto 1: Vyāsa is dissatisfied; Nārada directs him to the Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 4: The Appearance of Śrī Nārada

The sages inquire about Parīkṣit, while Sūta describes Vyāsadeva’s division of the Vedas and dissatisfaction.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ṛg-yajuḥ-sāma-atharva-ākhyāḥthe names of the four Vedas
  2. vedāḥthe Vedas
  3. catvāraḥfour
  4. uddhṛtāḥmade into separate parts
  5. itihāsahistorical records ( Mahābhārata)
  6. purāṇam caand the Purāṇas
  7. pañcamaḥthe fifth
  8. vedaḥthe original source of knowledge
  9. ucyateis said to be
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “knowledge”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the description of the Purāṇas as the fifth Veda shape my approach to reading them?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and note the place it gives the Purāṇas among the sources of knowledge.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Purāṇas Are the Fifth VedaThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 1.4.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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