Shloka 32
सामवेद–अथर्ववेदशाखाः, पुराणसंहिता, अष्टादशपुराणानि, विद्यास्थानानि
Sāma/Atharvan branches, Purāṇa compendium, 18 Purāṇas, knowledge taxonomy
प्राजापत्या श्रुतिर् नित्या तद्विकल्पास् त्व् इमे द्विज
prājāpatyā śrutir nityā tadvikalpās tv ime dvija
O twice-born one, the Prājāpatya Śruti is eternal; these teachings that follow are only its variant forms and secondary formulations.
Sage Parāśara
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Eternity of Prājāpatya śruti and the derivative nature of variants
Teaching: Philosophical
Quality: revealing
Concept: The primordial (Prājāpatya) śruti is eternal, while later formulations are variants and secondary differentiations of that single revelatory source.
Vedantic Theme: Brahman
Application: Distinguish core revelation from interpretive variations; study with humility and a criterion of fidelity to śruti.
Vishishtadvaita: Affirms śruti as nitya-pramāṇa grounding knowledge of the Supreme, with legitimate diversity as vikalpa without denying an underlying unity.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
This verse asserts that the Veda (Śruti) is nitya—an enduring foundation for dharma—while later formulations are treated as derivative variations rather than equal sources of ultimate authority.
He frames them as alternatives that depend upon an original, eternal Śruti—useful for application and explanation, but secondary to the primordial revelation.
By grounding dharma in eternal revelation, the text supports a cosmic order ultimately upheld by the Supreme Reality—Vishnu—while allowing for practical interpretive traditions that remain subordinate to Śruti.