158 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 1, Ch. 3
PURPORT
Originally the Veda is one. But Srila Vyasadeva divided the original
Veda into four, namely Sama, Yajus, Rk, Atharva, and then again they
were explained in different branches like the Puranas and the Mahabharata.
Vedic language and the subject matier are very difficult for ordinary men.
They are understood by the highly intelligent and self-realized brahmanas.
But the present age of Kali is full of ignorant men. Even those who are
born by a bradhmana father are, in the present age, no better than the
Sidras or the women. The twice-born men, namely the brahmanas,
ksatriyas and vaisyas, are expected to undergo a cultural purificatory
process known as sarmskaras, but because of the bad influence of the
present age the so-called members of the brahmana and other high order
families are no longer highly cultured. They are called the dvija-bandhu or
the friends and family members of the twice-born. But these dvija-bandhus
are classified amongst the sidras and the women. Srila Vyasadeva divided
the Vedas in various branches and sub-branches for the sake of the less
intelligent classes like the dvija-bandhus, sidras and the women.
TEXT 22
AAT: TRAPATT |
n AN
agama AR AaOTA TNA
nara-devatvam apannah
sura-karya-cikirsaya
samudra-nigrahadini
cakre viryany atah param
nara—human being; devatvam—divinity; apannah—having assumed the
form of; sura—the demigods; karya—activities; cikirsaya—for the purpose of
performing; samudra—the Indian Ocean; nigraha-adini—controlling, etc.;
cakre—did perform; viryani—superhuman prowess; atah param—thereafter.
TRANSLATION
In the eighteenth incarnation, the Lord appeared as King Rama. In
order to perform some pleasing work for the demigods, He exhibited
superhuman powers by controlling the Indian Ocean and then killing the
atheist King Ravana, who was on the other side of the sea.
