Shloka 21
Avatāra-kathā — The Puruṣa, the Many Incarnations, and Kṛṣṇa as Svayam Bhagavān
तत: सप्तदशे जात: सत्यवत्यां पराशरात् । चक्रे वेदतरो: शाखा दृष्ट्वा पुंसोऽल्पमेधस: ॥ २१ ॥
tataḥ saptadaśe jātaḥ satyavatyāṁ parāśarāt cakre veda-taroḥ śākhā dṛṣṭvā puṁso ’lpa-medhasaḥ
അതിനു ശേഷം പതിനേഴാം അവതാരത്തിൽ സത്യവതിയുടെ ഗർഭത്തിൽ പരാശര മുനിയിലൂടെ ശ്രീ വ്യാസദേവൻ ജനിച്ചു. ജനങ്ങളുടെ അൽപമേധസ്സിനെ കണ്ടു അദ്ദേഹം ഏക വേദത്തെ പല ശാഖാ-പ്രശാഖകളായി വിഭജിച്ചു.
Originally the Veda is one. But Śrīla Vyāsadeva divided the original Veda into four, namely Sāma, Yajur, Ṛg, Atharva, and then again they were explained in different branches like the Purāṇas and the Mahābhārata. Vedic language and the subject matter are very difficult for ordinary men. They are understood by the highly intelligent and self-realized brāhmaṇas. But the present Age of Kali is full of ignorant men. Even those who are born by a brāhmaṇa father are, in the present age, no better than the śūdras or the women. The twice-born men, namely the brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas, are expected to undergo a cultural purificatory process known as saṁskāras, but because of the bad influence of the present age the so-called members of the brāhmaṇa and other high-order families are no longer highly cultured. They are called the dvija-bandhus, or the friends and family members of the twice-born. But these dvija-bandhus are classified amongst the śūdras and the women. Śrīla Vyāsadeva divided the Vedas into various branches and subbranches for the sake of the less intelligent classes like the dvija-bandhus, śūdras and women.
FAQs
Because he foresaw that people would be alpa-medhasaḥ—of reduced intellectual and spiritual capacity—so he organized the single Vedic knowledge into accessible branches for easier study and practice.
The verse refers to Vedavyāsa (Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa), born from Parāśara and Satyavatī, who systematized the Vedas.
Use structured, step-by-step study (scripture, commentary, practice) suited to one’s capacity—showing humility and consistency rather than relying on raw intellect alone.