Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 39
Brahmā’s Creation: The Kumāras, Rudra, the Prajāpatis, and the Manifestation of Vedic Sound
इतिहासपुराणानि पञ्चमं वेदमीश्वर: । सर्वेभ्य एव वक्त्रेभ्य: ससृजे सर्वदर्शन: ॥ ३९ ॥
itihāsa-purāṇāni pañcamaṁ vedam īśvaraḥ sarvebhya eva vaktrebhyaḥ sasṛje sarva-darśanaḥ
Rồi Đấng Tối Thượng, bậc thấy biết mọi thời, đã tạo lập Itihāsa và Purāṇa như Veda thứ năm, phát xuất từ tất cả các miệng của Ngài, vì Ngài thấy trọn quá khứ, hiện tại và tương lai.
There are histories of particular countries and nations and of the world, but the Purāṇas are the histories of the universe, not only in one millennium but in many kalpas. Brahmā has knowledge of those historical facts, and therefore all the Purāṇas are histories. As originally composed by Brahmā, they are part of the Vedas and are called the fifth Veda.
FAQs
This verse states that the Supreme Lord manifested the Itihāsas and Purāṇas as the “fifth Veda,” affirming them as a genuine Vedic source of dharma and spiritual knowledge.
In the creation context of Canto 3, the verse emphasizes divine origin—sacred histories and Purāṇas are not merely human compositions but revealed knowledge meant to guide souls.
Treat Purāṇic teachings—especially Bhāgavatam narratives and conclusions—as a trustworthy spiritual guide: study regularly, reflect on dharma, and apply devotion-centered principles in daily decisions.