Mundaka 1.05
तत्रापरा ऋग्वेदो यजुर्वेदः सामवेदोऽथर्ववेदः। शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दोज्योतिषमिति। अथ परा यया तदक्षरमधिगम्यते ॥५॥
tatrāparā ṛgvedo yajurvedaḥ sāmavedo'tharvavedaḥ। śikṣā kalpo vyākaraṇaṃ niruktaṃ chandaujyotiṣamiti। atha parā yayā tadakṣaramadhigamyate ॥5॥
[तत्र (tatra) - there; अपरा (aparā) - lower; ऋग्वेदः (ṛgvedaḥ) - Rigveda; यजुर्वेदः (yajurvedaḥ) - Yajurveda; सामवेदः (sāmavedaḥ) - Samaveda; अथर्ववेदः (atharvavedaḥ) - Atharvaveda; शिक्षा (śikṣā) - phonetics; कल्पः (kalpaḥ) - rituals; व्याकरणम् (vyākaraṇam) - grammar; निरुक्तम् (niruktam) - etymology; छन्दः (chandaḥ) - metrics; ज्योतिषम् (jyotiṣam) - astronomy; इति (iti) - thus; अथ (atha) - then; परा (parā) - higher; या (yā) - by which; तत् (tat) - that; अक्षरम् (akṣaram) - imperishable; अधिगम्यते (adhigamyate) - is realized;]
In that context, the lower knowledge consists of the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda, and the sciences of phonetics, rituals, grammar, etymology, metrics, and astronomy. The highest knowledge is that through which the imperishable truth is realized.
Bhāshya 1.05
Various testimonials are provided to substantiate - "All knowledge including the Vedas are considered as higher knowledge when they are interpreted to understand the supreme Lord Vishnu. But the same text is considered as lower knowledge when it does not convey Lord Vishnu". The Lord is worshipped by people with the three Vedas distinctly in Treta-Yuga. In Dvapara-Yuga, Vishnu is worshipped by people with Pancharatra only. But in the Kali-Yuga, the Lord Hari is worshipped by name alone.
ऋगाद्या अपरा विद्या यदा विष्णोर्न वाचकाः। ता एव परमा विद्या यदा विष्णोस्तु वाचकाः॥
ṛgādyā aparā vidyā yadā viṣṇorna vācakāḥ। tā eva paramā vidyā yadā viṣṇostu vācakāḥ॥
[ऋगाद्या (ṛgādyā) - the Vedas beginning with Rigveda; अपरा (aparā) - inferior; विद्या (vidyā) - knowledge; यदा (yadā) - when; विष्णोः (viṣṇoḥ) - of Vishnu; न (na) - not; वाचकाः (vācakāḥ) - descriptive; ता (tā) - they; एव (eva) - indeed; परमा (paramā) - supreme; विद्या (vidyā) - knowledge; यदा (yadā) - when; विष्णोः (viṣṇoḥ) - of Vishnu; तु (tu) - but; वाचकाः (vācakāḥ) - descriptive;]
"The Vedas, starting with the Rigveda, are considered inferior knowledge when they do not describe Vishnu. However, they become supreme knowledge when they do describe Lord Vishnu."
इति परमसंहितायाम्।
iti paramasaṁhitāyām।
[इति (iti) - thus; परम (parama) - supreme; संहितायाम् (saṁhitāyām) - in the collection;]
- stated thus in the Paramasaṁhitā testimonial.
"ऋग्भिर्हौत्रेण शंसन्ति तथौद्गात्रैः स्तुवन्ति ये। विष्णुमेव तथा तस्मै यजुर्भिरपि जुह्वति॥ स्तुवन्त्यथर्वणैश्चैनं सेतिहासपुराणकैः। न विष्णुसदृशं किंङचित्परमं वापि मन्वते॥ सर्वोत्तमं तं जानन्तस्ते हि भागवतोत्तमाः॥"
"ṛgbhirhautreṇa śaṁsanti tathaudgātraiḥ stuvanti ye। viṣṇumeva tathā tasmai yajurbhirapi juhvati॥ stuvantyatharvaṇaiścainaṁ setihāsapurāṇakaiḥ। na viṣṇusadṛśaṁ kiṁṅcitparamaṁ vāpi manvate॥ sarvottamaṁ taṁ jānantaste hi bhāgavatottamāḥ॥"
[ऋग्भिः (ṛgbhiḥ) - by Rig Veda hymns; हौत्रेण (hautreṇa) - by the Hotṛ priest; शंसन्ति (śaṁsanti) - they praise; तथा (tathā) - thus; उद्गात्रैः (udgātraiḥ) - by the Udgātṛ priests; स्तुवन्ति (stuvanti) - they sing; ये (ye) - who; विष्णुम् (viṣṇum) - Viṣṇu; एव (eva) - only; तथा (tathā) - thus; तस्मै (tasmai) - to him; यजुर्भिः (yajurbhiḥ) - by Yajur Veda hymns; अपि (api) - also; जुह्वति (juhvati) - they offer oblations; स्तुवन्ति (stuvanti) - they praise; अथर्वणैः (atharvaṇaiḥ) - by Atharva Veda hymns; च (ca) - and; एनम् (enam) - him; स (sa) - with; इतिहास (itihāsa) - histories; पुराणकैः (purāṇakaiḥ) - and Puranas; न (na) - not; विष्णुसदृशम् (viṣṇusadṛśam) - like Viṣṇu; किंङचित् (kiṁṅcit) - anything; परमम् (paramam) - supreme; वा (vā) - or; अपि (api) - even; मन्वते (manvate) - they consider; सर्वोत्तमम् (sarvottamam) - the best of all; तम् (tam) - him; जानन्तः (jānantaḥ) - knowing; ते (te) - they; हि (hi) - indeed; भागवतोत्तमाः (bhāgavatottamāḥ) - the best among devotees;]
"The Hotṛ priests praise Viṣṇu with Rig Veda hymns, and the Udgātṛ priests sing his praises. They offer oblations to him with Yajur Veda hymns. He is praised with Atharva Veda hymns, histories, and Puranas. There is nothing like Lord Viṣṇu, nor anything superior. Those who know him as the best of all are indeed the best among devotees."
"वेदे रामायणे चैव पुराणे भारते तथा। आदावन्ते च मध्ये च विष्णुः सर्वत्र गीयते॥"
"vede rāmāyaṇe caiva purāṇe bhārate tathā। ādāvante ca madhye ca viṣṇuḥ sarvatra gīyate॥"
[वेदे (vede) - in the Vedas; रामायणे (rāmāyaṇe) - in the Ramayana; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - certainly; पुराणे (purāṇe) - in the Puranas; भारते (bhārate) - in the Mahabharata; तथा (tathā) - also; आदौ (ādau) - in the beginning; अन्ते (ante) - in the end; च (ca) - and; मध्ये (madhye) - in the middle; च (ca) - and; विष्णुः (viṣṇuḥ) - Vishnu; सर्वत्र (sarvatra) - everywhere; गीयते (gīyate) - is sung;]
"In the Vedas, in the Ramayana, certainly in the Puranas, in the Mahabharata, also in the beginning, in the end, and in the middle, Lord Vishnu is sung everywhere."
"एतदन्ते च मध्ये च ब्रह्मैवोक्त्वा विजानताम्। ऋगादि पञ्चधा संस्थं शब्दब्रह्म प्रशाम्यति॥"
"etadante ca madhye ca brahmaivoktvā vijānatām। ṛgādi pañcadhā sansthaṃ śabdabrahma praśāmyati॥"
[एतद् (etad) - this; अन्ते (ante) - at the end; च (ca) - and; मध्ये (madhye) - in the middle; च (ca) - and; ब्रह्म (brahma) - Brahman; एव (eva) - indeed; उक्त्वा (uktvā) - having said; विजानताम् (vijānatām) - of the wise; ऋगादि (ṛgādi) - beginning with Rigveda; पञ्चधा (pañcadhā) - fivefold; संस्थं (sansthaṃ) - established; शब्दब्रह्म (śabdabrahma) - sound-Brahman; प्रशाम्यति (praśāmyati) - ceases;]
"The sound-Brahman, beginning with the Rigveda and in the middle, and at the end - the wise declare Brahman alone, established in fivefold form, comes to rest."
"यं वाकेष्वनुवाकेषु निषत्सूपनिषत्सु च। स्तुवन्ति सत्यकर्माणं सत्यं सत्येषु सामसु॥"
"yaṁ vākeṣvanuvākeṣu niṣatsūpaniṣatsu ca। stuvanti satyakarmāṇaṁ satyaṁ satyeṣu sāmasu॥"
[यं (yaṁ) - whom; वाकेषु (vākeṣu) - in the words; अनुवाकेषु (anuvākeṣu) - in the repetitions; निषत्सु (niṣatsu) - in the assemblies; उपनिषत्सु (upaniṣatsu) - in the Upanishads; च (ca) - and; स्तुवन्ति (stuvanti) - praise; सत्यकर्माणं (satyakarmāṇaṁ) - truthful in actions; सत्यं (satyaṁ) - truth; सत्येषु (satyeṣu) - in the truths; सामसु (sāmasu) - in the Sama Veda hymns;]
"Whom they praise in the words, in the repetitions, in the assemblies, in the Upanishads, and who is truthful in actions, truth in the truths, in the Sama Veda hymns".
"सर्वे वेदा यत्पदमामनन्ति तपांसि सर्वाणि च यद्वदन्ति। यदिच्छन्तो ब्रह्मचर्यं चरन्ति तत्ते पदं सङ्ग्रहेण प्रवक्ष्ये॥"
"sarve vedā yatpadamāmananti tapāṃsi sarvāṇi ca yadvadanti। yadichanto brahmacaryaṃ caranti tatte padaṃ saṅgraheṇa pravakṣye॥"
[सर्वे (sarve) - all; वेदाः (vedāḥ) - Vedas; यत् (yat) - which; पदम् (padam) - state; आमनन्ति (āmananti) - proclaim; तपांसि (tapāṃsi) - austerities; सर्वाणि (sarvāṇi) - all; च (ca) - and; यत् (yat) - which; वदन्ति (vadanti) - speak of; यत् (yat) - which; इच्छन्तः (ichantaḥ) - desiring; ब्रह्मचर्यम् (brahmacaryam) - celibacy; चरन्ति (caranti) - practice; तत् (tat) - that; ते (te) - to you; पदम् (padam) - state; सङ्ग्रहेण (saṅgraheṇa) - briefly; प्रवक्ष्ये (pravakṣye) - I shall explain;]
"I shall briefly explain to you that state which all the Vedas proclaim, which all austerities speak of, and desiring which, they practice celibacy."
"वेदैश्च सर्वैरहमेव वेद्यो वेदान्तकृद्वेदविदेव चाहम्।"
"vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyo vedāntakṛd vedavid eva cāham।"
[वेदैः (vedaiḥ) - by the Vedas; च (ca) - and; सर्वैः (sarvaiḥ) - by all; अहम् (aham) - I; एव (eva) - certainly; वेद्यः (vedyaḥ) - to be known; वेदान्तकृत् (vedāntakṛt) - the compiler of Vedānta; वेदविद् (vedavid) - the knower of the Vedas; एव (eva) - certainly; च (ca) - and; अहम् (aham) - I;]
"I am to be known through all the Vedas; I am the author of Vedānta and the knower of the Vedas."
इति च भारते।
iti ca bhārate।
[इति (iti) - thus; च (ca) - and; भारते (bhārate) - in the Bharata;]
- stated thus in the Mahabharata.
"चतुर्दश महाविद्यास्थानानि वेदितव्यानि भवन्ति।"
"caturdaśa mahāvidyāsthānāni veditavyāni bhavanti।"
[चतुर्दश (caturdaśa) - fourteen; महाविद्यास्थानानि (mahāvidyāsthānāni) - great knowledge places; वेदितव्यानि (veditavyāni) - to be known; भवन्ति (bhavanti) - are;]
"There are fourteen places of great knowledge that should be known."
इति च मूलश्रुतिः।
iti ca mūlaśrutiḥ।
[इति (iti) - thus; च (ca) - and; मूलश्रुतिः (mūlaśrutiḥ) - original scripture;]
(Thus and original scripture.)
- stated thus in the Mūlaśrutiḥ Vedic testimonial.
"पञ्चरात्र्यागमाद्याश्च सर्वमेकं पुराऽऽभवत्। मूलवेद इति ह्याख्या काले कृतयुगे तदा॥ नैवर्क्सामादिनामानि तदा वेदस्य चाभवन्। नैव चेन्द्रादि नामानि विष्णोरन्यत्र कुत्रचित्। ब्रह्मरुद्रेन्द्रपूर्वैस्तु नामभिः प्रोच्यते हरिः॥"
"pañcarātryāgamādyāśca sarvamekaṃ purā''bhavat। mūlaved a iti hyākhyā kāle kṛtayuge tadā॥ naivarkasāmādināmāni tadā vedasya cābhavan। naiva cendrādi nāmāni viṣṇoranyatra kutracit। brahmarudrendrapūrvāistu nāmabhiḥ procyate hariḥ॥"
[पञ्चरात्र्यागमाद्याः (pañcarātryāgamādyāḥ) - the Pancaratra and other Agamas; च (ca) - and; सर्वम् (sarvam) - all; एकम् (ekam) - one; पुरा (purā) - formerly; अभवत् (abhavat) - became; मूलवेद (mūlaved) - the original Veda; इति (iti) - thus; हि (hi) - indeed; आख्या (ākhyā) - was called; काले (kāle) - in time; कृतयुगे (kṛtayuge) - in the Krita age; तदा (tadā) - then; न (na) - not; एव (eva) - indeed; ऋक्सामादि (ṛksāmādi) - Rig, Sama, and others; नामानि (nāmāni) - names; तदा (tadā) - then; वेदस्य (vedasya) - of the Veda; च (ca) - and; अभवन् (abhavan) - were; नैव (naiva) - not indeed; च (ca) - and; इन्द्रादि (indrādi) - Indra and others; नामानि (nāmāni) - names; विष्णोः (viṣṇoḥ) - of Vishnu; अन्यत्र (anyatra) - elsewhere; कुत्रचित् (kutracit) - anywhere; ब्रह्मरुद्रेन्द्रपूर्वैः (brahmarudrendrapūrvaiḥ) - by Brahma, Rudra, and Indra, etc.; तु (tu) - but; नामभिः (nāmabhiḥ) - by names; प्रोच्यते (procyate) - is called; हरिः (hariḥ) - Hari;]
"In ancient times, the Pancaratra and other Agamas were unified into one. This unified scripture was known as the original Veda during the Krita age. At that time, the names such as Rig, Sama, and others did not exist for the Veda, nor were names like Indra and others associated with Vishnu found elsewhere. However, Hari was referred to by names like Brahma, Rudra, and Indra."
देवतात्वेन चेज्यः सः ब्रह्माद्या मनुनामकाः। वक्तृत्वेन पितृत्वेन कारित्वेनैव चादरात्। ज्यन्ते देवताः सर्वा न तु देवतया क्वचित्। अनन्ययाजिनस्ते तु तस्मात्कार्तयुगा जनाः। प्राप्नुवन्ति हरिं तं च तस्माद्वेदे न किञ्चन॥ पारावर्यं हरेर्यस्मादुत्थितास्तुरगाननात्। ऋगाद्या अनुव्याख्यान्तास्तस्मात् सर्वैर्हरिं यजेत्॥
devatātvena cejyaḥ saḥ brahmādyā manunāmakāḥ। vaktr̥tvena pitr̥tvena kāritvenaiva cādarāt। jyante devatāḥ sarvā na tu devatayā kvacit। ananyayājinaste tu tasmādkārtayugā janāḥ। prāpnuvanti hariṃ taṃ ca tasmādvede na kiñcana॥ pārāvaryam hareryasmādutthitāsturagānanāt। r̥gādyā anuvyākhyāntāstasmāt sarvairhariṃ yajet॥
[देवतात्वेन (devatātvena) - by the state of being a deity; च (ca) - and; इज्यः (ijyaḥ) - worshipped; सः (saḥ) - he; ब्रह्माद्याः (brahmādyāḥ) - Brahma and others; मनुनामकाः (manunāmakāḥ) - named Manu; वक्तृत्वेन (vaktr̥tvena) - by the state of being a speaker; पितृत्वेन (pitr̥tvena) - by the state of being a father; कारित्वेन (kāritvena) - by the state of being a doer; एव (eva) - indeed; च (ca) - and; आदरात् (ādarāt) - with respect; ज्यन्ते (jyante) - are born; देवताः (devatāḥ) - deities; सर्वाः (sarvāḥ) - all; न (na) - not; तु (tu) - but; देवतया (devatayā) - by the state of being a deity; क्वचित् (kvacit) - anywhere; अनन्ययाजिनः (ananyayājinaḥ) - those who worship none other; ते (te) - they; तु (tu) - but; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; कार्तयुगाः (kārtayugāḥ) - of the Krita Yuga; जनाः (janāḥ) - people; प्राप्नुवन्ति (prāpnuvanti) - attain; हरिम् (harim) - Hari (Vishnu); तम् (tam) - him; च (ca) - and; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; वेदे (vede) - in the Veda; न (na) - not; किञ्चन (kiñcana) - anything; पारावर्यम् (pārāvaryam) - the supreme and the inferior; हरेः (hareḥ) - of Hari (Vishnu); यस्मात् (yasmāt) - because; उत्थिताः (utthitāḥ) - arisen; तुरगाननात् (turagānanāt) - from the horse-faced one; ऋगाद्याः (r̥gādyāḥ) - the Rig and others; अनुव्याख्यान्ताः (anuvyākhyāntāḥ) - are explained; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; सर्वैः (sarvaiḥ) - by all; हरिम् (harim) - Hari (Vishnu); यजेत् (yajet) - should worship;]
He only was worshipped as a deity, named like Brahma, Manu and others. He was respected for his roles as a speaker, a father, and a doer. All deities born at that time were not termed deities and thus, those who worshiped no-other than Lord Hari belonged to the Krita Yuga. As they saw nothing else in the Veda than Lord Hari, they attained Lord Hari. The superior and the inferior aspects of knowledge, having arisen from the horse-faced Hari, are explained in the Rig and other texts later. Hence, Lord Hari should be worshipped by all.
तस्माद् ब्रह्मादयः सर्वे मनवो मानवास्तथा। यजन्ति सर्ववेदैस्तं जानन्ति च विनिश्चयात्॥ अशक्तः पञ्चरात्रेण ऋगाद्यैर्वाथ तं यजेत्। ऋगाद्यैरेव स त्रैतैर्भिन्नैरिष्टो जनैर्हरिः॥ द्वापरीयैर्जनैर्विष्णुः पञ्चरात्रैस्तु केवलैः। कलौ तु नाममात्रेण पूज्यते भगवान् हरिः॥
tasmād brahmādayaḥ sarve manavo mānavās tathā। yajanti sarvavedais taṃ jānanti ca viniścayāt॥ aśaktaḥ pañcarātreṇa ṛgādyair vātha taṃ yajet। ṛgādyair eva sa traitair bhinnair iṣṭo janair hariḥ॥ dvāparīyair janair viṣṇuḥ pañcarātrais tu kevalaiḥ। kalau tu nāmamātreṇa pūjyate bhagavān hariḥ॥
[तस्माद् (tasmād) - therefore; ब्रह्मादयः (brahmādayaḥ) - Brahma and others; सर्वे (sarve) - all; मनवः (manavaḥ) - Manus; मानवाः (mānavāḥ) - humans; तथा (tathā) - also; यजन्ति (yajanti) - worship; सर्ववेदैः (sarvavedaiḥ) - with all Vedas; तम् (tam) - him; जानन्ति (jānanti) - know; च (ca) - and; विनिश्चयात् (viniścayāt) - with certainty; अशक्तः (aśaktaḥ) - unable; पञ्चरात्रेण (pañcarātreṇa) - with the Pancharatra; ऋगाद्यैः (ṛgādyaiḥ) - with Rig and others; वा (vā) - or; अथ (atha) - then; तम् (tam) - him; यजेत् (yajet) - should worship; ऋगाद्यैः (ṛgādyaiḥ) - with Rig and others; एव (eva) - only; सः (saḥ) - he; त्रैतैः (traitaiḥ) - in treta yuga / three Vedas; भिन्नैः (bhinnair) - distinct; इष्टः (iṣṭaḥ) - worshipped; जनैः (janaiḥ) - by people; हरिः (hariḥ) - Hari; द्वापरीयैः (dvāparīyaiḥ) - by Dvapara people; जनैः (janaiḥ) - by people; विष्णुः (viṣṇuḥ) - Vishnu; पञ्चरात्रैः (pañcarātraiḥ) - with Pancharatra; तु (tu) - but; केवलैः (kevalaiḥ) - only; कलौ (kalau) - in Kali Yuga; तु (tu) - but; नाममात्रेण (nāmamātreṇa) - by name alone; पूज्यते (pūjyate) - is worshipped; भगवान् (bhagavān) - the Lord; हरिः (hariḥ) - Hari;]
Therefore, Brahma and others, all Manus and humans also worship him, Lord Hari, with all the Vedas and know him with certainty. If unable to do so with Rig and others, one should worship him with the Pancharatra. He is worshipped by people with the three Vedas distinctly in Treta Yuga. In Dvapara Yuga, Vishnu is worshipped by people with Pancharatra only. But in the Kali Yuga, the Lord Hari is worshipped by name alone.
एको वेदः कृते ह्यासीत् त्रेतायां स त्रिधाऽभवत्। स एव पञ्चधा जातो द्वापरं प्राप्य वै युगम्॥ उत्सन्नः स कलिं प्राप्य वेदः प्रायेण सर्वशः। मुख्यो धर्मः कार्तयुगो वर्तितव्यः कलावपि॥ त्रेतादौ तदशक्त्या हि धर्मोऽन्यः सम्प्रकीर्तितः।
eko vedaḥ kṛte hyāsīt tretāyāṃ sa tridha'bhavat। sa eva pañcadhā jāto dvāparaṃ prāpya vai yugam॥ utsannaḥ sa kaliṃ prāpya vedaḥ prāyeṇa sarvaśaḥ। mukhyo dharmaḥ kārtayugo vartitavyaḥ kalāvapi॥ tretādau tadaśaktyā hi dharmo'nyaḥ samprakīrtitaḥ।
[एकः (ekaḥ) - one; वेदः (vedaḥ) - Veda; कृते (kṛte) - in the Krita; हि (hi) - indeed; आसीत् (āsīt) - was; त्रेतायाम् (tretāyām) - in the Treta; सः (saḥ) - he; त्रिधा (tridhā) - threefold; अभवत् (abhavat) - became; सः (saḥ) - he; एव (eva) - indeed; पञ्चधा (pañcadhā) - fivefold; जातः (jātaḥ) - became; द्वापरम् (dvāparam) - Dvapara; प्राप्य (prāpya) - reaching; वै (vai) - indeed; युगम् (yugam) - age; उत्सन्नः (utsannaḥ) - lost; सः (saḥ) - he; कलिम् (kalim) - Kali; प्राप्य (prāpya) - reaching; वेदः (vedaḥ) - Veda; प्रायेण (prāyeṇa) - mostly; सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ) - entirely; मुख्यः (mukhyaḥ) - main; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - dharma; कार्तयुगः (kārtayugaḥ) - Krita age; वर्तितव्यः (vartitavyaḥ) - should be followed; कले (kale) - in Kali; अपि (api) - also; त्रेतादौ (tretādau) - at the beginning of Treta; तत् (tat) - that; अशक्त्या (aśaktyā) - due to inability; हि (hi) - indeed; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - dharma; अन्यः (anyaḥ) - another; सम्प्रकीर्तितः (samprakīrtitaḥ) - is proclaimed;]
In the Krita age, there was only one Veda. In the Treta age, it was divided into three parts. By the time of the Dvapara age, it had become fivefold. As the Kali age approached, the Veda was mostly lost. The main dharma of the Krita age should still be followed in the Kali age. At the beginning of the Treta age, due to certain limitations, another dharma was proclaimed.
कृते भागवताः सर्वे वेदाश्च पुरुषास्तथा॥ त्रेतायां भिन्नविषयाः ततस्त्रैविद्यतां गताः। तस्मादेकः सर्ववेदैर्ज्ञेयो विष्णुः सनातनः॥ पूज्यो यज्ञैः सोपचारैर्ध्येयो वन्द्यश्च सर्वदा॥"
kṛte bhāgavatāḥ sarve vedāśca puruṣāstathā॥ tretāyāṃ bhinnaviṣayāḥ tatastraividyatāṃ gatāḥ। tasmādekaḥ sarvavedairjñeyo viṣṇuḥ sanātanaḥ॥ pūjyo yajñaiḥ sopacārairdhyeyo vandyaśca sarvadā॥"
[कृते (kṛte) - in the Krita Yuga; भागवताः (bhāgavatāḥ) - devotees of the Lord; सर्वे (sarve) - all; वेदाः (vedāḥ) - Vedas; च (ca) - and; पुरुषाः (puruṣāḥ) - beings; तथा (tathā) - also; त्रेतायाम् (tretāyām) - in the Treta Yuga; भिन्नविषयाः (bhinnaviṣayāḥ) - different subjects; ततः (tataḥ) - then; त्रैविद्यताम् (traividyatām) - threefold knowledge; गताः (gatāḥ) - attained; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; एकः (ekaḥ) - one; सर्ववेदैः (sarvavedaiḥ) - by all Vedas; ज्ञेयः (jñeyaḥ) - to be known; विष्णुः (viṣṇuḥ) - Vishnu; सनातनः (sanātanaḥ) - eternal; पूज्यः (pūjyaḥ) - worshipped; यज्ञैः (yajñaiḥ) - by sacrifices; सोपचारैः (sopacāraiḥ) - with services; ध्येयः (dhyeyaḥ) - to be meditated upon; वन्द्यः (vandyaḥ) - to be revered; च (ca) - and; सर्वदा (sarvadā) - always;]
In the Krita Yuga, all beings and the Vedas were devoted to the Lord. In the Treta Yuga, they pursued different subjects and attained threefold knowledge. Therefore, Vishnu, the eternal, is the one to be known through all the Vedas, worshipped through sacrifices and services, meditated upon, and revered at all times."
इत्यादि नारायणसंहितायाम्।
ityādi nārāyaṇasaṁhitāyām।
[इति (iti) - thus; आदि (ādi) - beginning; नारायण (nārāyaṇa) - Narayana; संहितायाम् (saṁhitāyām) - in the collection;]
- stated thus in Nārāyaṇasaṁhitā testimonial.
"वेदवादाश्चानुयुगं ह्रसन्तीति हि नः श्रुतिः॥"
"vedavādāś cānuyugaṃ hrasantīti hi naḥ śrutiḥ॥"
[वेदवादाः (vedavādāḥ) - the doctrines of the Vedas; च (ca) - and; अनुयुगं (anuyugaṃ) - in every age; ह्रसन्ति (hrasanti) - diminish; इति (iti) - thus; हि (hi) - indeed; नः (naḥ) - our; श्रुतिः (śrutiḥ) - scripture;]
"Our scriptures indeed state that the doctrines of the Vedas diminish with each passing age."
इति भारते।
iti bhārate।
[इति (iti) - thus; भारते (bhārate) - in Mahabharata;]
- stated thus in the Mahabharata.
"वेदैश्च पञ्चरात्रैश्च भक्त्या यज्ञैस्तथैव च। दृश्योऽहं नान्यथा दृश्यो वर्षकोटिशतैरपि॥"
"vedaiś ca pañcarātraiś ca bhaktyā yajñais tathaiva ca। dṛśyo'haṃ nānyathā dṛśyo varṣakoṭiśatair api॥"
[वेदैः (vedaiḥ) - by the Vedas; च (ca) - and; पञ्चरात्रैः (pañcarātraiḥ) - by the Pancaratra scriptures; च (ca) - and; भक्त्या (bhaktyā) - by devotion; यज्ञैः (yajñaiḥ) - by sacrifices; तथा (tathā) - thus; एव (eva) - indeed; च (ca) - and; दृश्यः (dṛśyaḥ) - visible; अहम् (aham) - I; न (na) - not; अन्यथा (anyathā) - otherwise; दृश्यः (dṛśyaḥ) - visible; वर्षकोटिशतैः (varṣakoṭiśataiḥ) - by hundreds of millions of years; अपि (api) - even;]
"Indeed, I can be seen through the Vedas, the Pancaratra scriptures, by devotion, and by sacrifices, but not otherwise, even in hundreds of millions of years."
इत्यादि वाराहे।
ityādi vārāhe।
[इति (iti) - thus; आदि (ādi) - beginning; वाराहे (vārāhe) - in the Varaha Purana;]
- stated thus in the Varaha Purana.
अत्रापि 'तदेतत्सत्यं मन्त्रेषु कर्माणि कवयो यान्यपश्यन्' इत्यादिना कर्मविषयामपरविद्यामुक्त्वा 'येनाक्षरं पुरुषं वेद सत्यं प्रोवाच तां तत्त्वतो ब्रह्मविद्याम्' इत्यारभ्याथर्वणानेव मन्त्रान् परविद्यात्वेनाह। चतुर्वेद संस्कारवतामेव च विद्यायामधिकार उक्तः।
atrāpi 'tadetatsatyaṃ mantreṣu karmāṇi kavayo yānyapaśyan' ityādinā karmaviṣayāmaparavidyāmuktvā 'yenākṣaraṃ puruṣaṃ veda satyaṃ provāca tāṃ tattvato brahmavidyām' ityārabhyātharvaṇāneva mantrān paravidyātvenāha। caturveda saṃskāravatāmeva ca vidyāyāmadhikāra uktaḥ।
[अत्र (atra) - here; अपि (api) - also; तत् (tat) - that; एतत् (etat) - this; सत्यं (satyaṃ) - truth; मन्त्रेषु (mantreṣu) - in the mantras; कर्माणि (karmāṇi) - actions; कवयः (kavayaḥ) - sages; यानि (yāni) - which; अपश्यन् (apaśyan) - saw; इत्यादिना (ityādinā) - thus beginning; कर्मविषयाम् (karmaviṣayām) - subject of actions; अपरविद्याम् (aparavidyām) - lower knowledge; उक्त्वा (uktvā) - having said; येन (yena) - by which; अक्षरं (akṣaraṃ) - imperishable; पुरुषं (puruṣaṃ) - person; वेद (veda) - knows; सत्यं (satyaṃ) - truth; प्रोवाच (provāca) - declared; तां (tāṃ) - that; तत्त्वतः (tattvataḥ) - truly; ब्रह्मविद्याम् (brahmavidyām) - knowledge of Brahman; इत्यारभ्य (ityārabhya) - thus commencing; अथर्वणान् (atharvaṇān) - Atharva Veda; एव (eva) - only; मन्त्रान् (mantrān) - mantras; परविद्यात्वेन (paravidyātvena) - as higher knowledge; आह (āha) - said; चतुर्वेद (caturveda) - four Vedas; संस्कारवताम् (saṃskāravatām) - of those with rites; एव (eva) - only; च (ca) - and; विद्यायाम् (vidyāyām) - in knowledge; अधिकार (adhikāra) - authority; उक्तः (uktaḥ) - is said;]
Even here, beginning with "That is the truth which the sages saw in the mantras as actions", having stated the lower knowledge concerning actions, commencing with "By which the imperishable person knows the truth, that truly declared the knowledge of Brahman", it is said that the Atharva Veda mantras are the higher knowledge. The authority in knowledge is said to be only for those with rites of the four Vedas.
"तेषामेवैतां ब्रह्मविद्यां वदेत शिरोव्रतं विधिवद्यैस्तु चीर्णम्"
"teṣāmevaitāṃ brahmavidyāṃ vadeta śirovrataṃ vidhivadyaitu cīrṇam"
[तेषाम् (teṣām) - of them; एव (eva) - only; एताम् (etām) - this; ब्रह्मविद्यां (brahmavidyāṃ) - knowledge of Brahman; वदेत (vadeta) - should speak; शिरोव्रतं (śirovrataṃ) - vow of the head; विधिवत् (vidhivat) - properly; यैः (yaiḥ) - by whom; तु (tu) - indeed; चीर्णम् (cīrṇam) - performed;]
"This knowledge of Brahman should be imparted only to those who have properly performed the vow of the head."
इति।
iti।
[इति (iti) - thus;]
- stated thus.
शिरोव्रतमित्युपलक्षणत्वेन।
śirovratamityupalakṣaṇatvena।
[शिरो (śiro) - head; व्रतम् (vratam) - vow; इति (iti) - thus; उपलक्षणत्वेन (upalakṣaṇatvena) - as a sub characteristic;]
The vow of the head is thus considered as a sub-characteristic.
"स्ववेदव्रतयुक्तस्य सर्ववेदगतास्वपि । अधिकारोऽस्ति विद्यासु नावेदव्रतिनः क्वचित्॥"
"svavedavratayuktasya sarvavedagatāsvapi । adhikāro'sti vidyāsu nāvedavratinaḥ kvacit॥"
[स्ववेदव्रतयुक्तस्य (svavedavratayuktasya) - of one engaged in his own Vedic vows; सर्ववेदगतासु (sarvavedagatāsu) - in all Vedic matters; अपि (api) - even; अधिकारः (adhikāraḥ) - authority; अस्ति (asti) - exists; विद्यासु (vidyāsu) - in knowledge; न (na) - not; अवेदव्रतिनः (avedavratinaḥ) - of one not engaged in Vedic vows; क्वचित् (kvacit) - anywhere;]
"One who is engaged in his own Vedic vows has authority in all Vedic matters, but one who is not engaged in Vedic vows has no authority anywhere."
इति व्यासस्मृतौ ॥
iti vyāsasmṛtau ॥
[इति (iti) - thus; व्यासस्मृतौ (vyāsasmṛtau) - in the Vyasa Smriti;]
- thus it is stated in the Vyasa Smriti.
