Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 12.6.50
ऋगथर्वयजु:साम्नां राशीरुद्धृत्य वर्गश: ।
चतस्र: संहिताश्चक्रे मन्त्रैर्मणिगणा इव ॥ ५० ॥
ṛg-atharva-yajuḥ-sāmnāṁ
[rig-atharva-yajuh-saamnaam]
rāśīr uddhṛtya vargaśaḥ
[raasheer uddhritya vargashah]
catasraḥ saṁhitāś cakre
[chatasrah samhitaash chakre]
mantrair maṇi-gaṇā iva
[mantrair mani-ganaa iva]
Word-for-word
ṛk-atharva-yajuḥ-sāmnām
—
of the Ṛg, Atharva, Yajur and Sāma Vedas
rāśīḥ
—
the accumulation (of mantras)
uddhṛtya
—
separating out
vargaśaḥ
—
in specific categories
catasraḥ
—
four
saṁhitāḥ
—
collections
cakre
—
he made
mantraiḥ
—
with the mantras
maṇi-gaṇāḥ
—
gems
iva
—
just as.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
ṛg-atharva-yajuḥ-sāmnāṁ
ṛk-atharva-yajuḥ-sāmnām
of the Ṛg, Atharva, Yajur and Sāma Vedas
rāśīr uddhṛtya vargaśaḥ
rāśīḥ
the accumulation (of mantras)
uddhṛtya
separating out
vargaśaḥ
in specific categories
catasraḥ saṁhitāś cakre
catasraḥ
four
saṁhitāḥ
collections
cakre
he made
mantrair maṇi-gaṇā iva
mantraiḥ
with the mantras
maṇi-gaṇāḥ
gems
iva
just as.
Śrīla Vyāsadeva separated the mantras of the Ṛg, Atharva, Yajur and Sāma Vedas into four divisions, just as one sorts out a mixed collection of jewels into piles. Thus he composed four distinct Vedic literatures.
Purport
When Lord Brahmā first spoke the four Vedas with his four mouths, the mantras were mixed together like an unsorted collection of various types of jewels. Śrīla Vyāsadeva sorted the Vedic mantras into four divisions ( saṁhitās ), which thus became the recognizable Ṛg, Atharva, Yajur and Sāma Vedas.
— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
Vyāsadeva, separating the Ṛg, Atharva, Yajur and Sāma mantras into different groups according to categories, made four saṁhitās out of the mantras, just as one divides collection of gems into different types.
“The four Vedas were made by Brahmā from his four mouths. How can one say that Vyāsa made the four Vedas? ” He made the four Vedas into separate piles according to different subjects, just as from a mine one gathers rubies and diamonds, and then separates them into different piles by type. He made four Saṁhitās: Ṛg, Yajur, Sāma and Atharva.
Personal Guidance
Vyasa sorts the mantras of the four Vedas as one sorts a mixed pile of jewels. Each scripture finds its right place by careful classification. Spiritual organization is itself an act of devotion when done with love.
Reflection Questions
- Where could a little careful 'sorting' bring more devotion into my life?
- What clutter of priorities is awaiting Vyasa-like attention?
My note
Source: vedabase.io