Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 20

The Appearance of Śrī Nārada and Vyāsa’s Dissatisfaction

Veda-vibhāga and the Need for Bhakti

Devanagari script

ऋग्यजु:सामाथर्वाख्या वेदाश्चत्वार उद्‍धृता: । इतिहासपुराणं च पञ्चमो वेद उच्यते ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

ṛg-yajuḥ-sāmātharvākhyā vedāś catvāra uddhṛtāḥ itihāsa-purāṇaṁ ca pañcamo veda ucyate

Translation

《梨俱》《夜柔》《娑摩》《阿闼婆》四部吠陀被分别编定；而《往世书》中所载的史事与真实圣传，被称为“第五吠陀”。

Synonyms

• ṛk: Ṛg (Rigveda)
• ṛk: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛc (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Stem-form used in compound (समासपूर्वपद)

• yajuḥ: Yajus (Yajurveda)
• yajuḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Stem-form used in compound (समासपूर्वपद)

• sāma: Sāma (Samaveda)
• sāma: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Stem-form used in compound (समासपूर्वपद)

• atharva-ākhyāḥ: called Atharva
• atharva-ākhyāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: atharvan (प्रातिपदिक) + ākhyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Plural (बहुवचन); tatpuruṣa: ‘atharva-named’ (अथर्व-आख्या)

• vedāḥ: Vedas
• vedāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Plural (बहुवचन)

• catvāraḥ: four
• catvāraḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: catvāra (प्रातिपदिक/संख्याशब्द)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Plural (बहुवचन); numeral adjective

• uddhṛtāḥ: were extracted/compiled
• uddhṛtāḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa / Predicative (क्रियाविशेषण/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud-√hṛ (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (कृत्: क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Plural (बहुवचन); passive sense

• itihāsa-purāṇam: Itihāsa and Purāṇa
• itihāsa-purāṇam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: itihāsa (प्रातिपदिक) + purāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन); dvandva treated as neuter singular (इतिहासपुराणम्)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• pañcamaḥ: the fifth
• pañcamaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañcama (प्रातिपदिक/क्रमवाचक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन); ordinal adjective

• vedaḥ: Veda
• vedaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन)

• ucyate: is called
• ucyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Passive voice (कर्मणि), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष) Singular (एकवचन)

Characters & Entities

• Vyāsadeva

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Itihasa and Purana being the fifth Veda?

This verse states that along with the four Vedas, the Itihāsas and Purāṇas are regarded as the “fifth Veda,” affirming their scriptural authority and Vedic status.

Why did Suta Gosvami mention the four Vedas and the fifth Veda to the sages at Naimisharanya?

Sūta establishes the credibility of Purāṇic narration by linking it to Vedic revelation—showing that histories and Purāṇas are a recognized, authoritative channel for transmitting dharma and devotion.

Practical application of accepting Purana as Vedic knowledge in modern life?

It encourages seekers to study accessible Vedic wisdom through Purāṇic teachings—using narratives and theology to cultivate faith, ethics, and bhakti in daily life.