Shloka 40
वंशानुकीर्तनम् — Genealogical Recitation from Dakṣa to Yayāti and the Establishment of the Paurava Line
अथर्ववेदप्रवरा: पूगयज्ञियसामगा: । संहितामीरयन्ति सम पदक्रमयुतां तु ते,श्रेष्ठ अथर्ववेदीय विद्वान् तथा पूगयज्ञिय नामक सामके गायक सामवेदी महर्षि पद और क्रमसहित अपनी-अपनी संहिताका पाठ करते थे
atharvavedapravarāḥ pūgayajñiyasāmagāḥ | saṁhitām īrayanti sama-padakramayutāṁ tu te |
Then the foremost Atharvavedins and the Sāmavedic chanters known as the Pūgayajñiya began reciting their respective Saṁhitās. They intoned the Vedic text in a measured, even manner, complete with both the word-by-word (pada) and sequential (krama) recitation—signaling disciplined learning, ritual correctness, and reverence for sacred speech.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and religious ideal of fidelity to sacred knowledge: Vedic recitation is performed with precision (pada and krama methods) and steadiness, reflecting discipline, authenticity of transmission, and reverence for dharma upheld through correct ritual speech.
Vaiśampāyana describes learned priests/chanters—eminent Atharvavedins and Pūgayajñiya Sāmavedic singers—reciting their Saṁhitās in formal styles (padapāṭha and kramapāṭha), indicating an ongoing ritual or solemn assembly where Vedic chanting is being performed.