the 5th Veda, had to know... Options

[OutToDry]

yeah, Ed's music company.... (yeah, the one being sued for misappropriation of band funds)........The 5th Veda

what does it stand for?

some secret lore of metaphysics? Self righteous, greatness?? Whoa...too much,

http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index...18024402AAPMOOJ

The Great Epic Mahabharata is called the fifth Veda. The Mahabharata is a curious mixture of history and mythology, though the former aspect is the subject of grave doubts in the minds of professional historians. It is called the fifth Veda and its pre-eminence is universally acknowledged.

It extols its own greatness in the following words:
"yad ihasti tad anyatra yan nehasti na tat kvacit"
Whatever is here is elsewhere; whatever is not here is nowhere.

The Mahabharata contains not only the celebrated Bhagavadgita but also a number of other such texts which are themselves independent treatises such as the Anugita. It is a shining example
of post-Vedic ancient Indian literature. Whatever is here is elsewhere; whatever is not here is nowhere. so, in mahabharata all details were clearly told. Bhagabvat gita is a smriti. All vedic essences are there in mahabharata created by veda vyasa. Who is a man, what for he came here, what are the works he has to do, and what should not do etc.,who was a king, the duties, dharmas etc.,are also projected well. war rules, though some times we came to know krishna's rule in war, totally dharmic way was told.

THE THREE most important texts for the Hindus, in chronological order, the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Bhagavata Purana, have been written to emphasise progressively important values for the human beings. While the Ramayana deals with the upliftment of an individual, the Mahabharata explains the ideal interaction with others in society. The Bhagavata Purana focuses on spiritual elevation of individuals and helps one realise the path of liberation.

Of these texts, Mahabharata is considered as an encyclopaedia of reference for human life. It is said to contain all that a man should know towards achieving the four human goals, Dharma (righteousness), Artha (human endeavour towards material pursuits), Kama (desire) and Moksha (salvation). The Mahabharata is called the fifth Veda as it contains the essence of the four Vedas.

Edit: i add some details more. Mahabaratha extols its own greatness in the following words:
"yad ihasti tad anyatra yan nehasti na tat kvacit"
Whatever is here is elsewhere; whatever is not here is nowhere.

This pretty much sums up for its exalted status as fifth veda. The two essences are the two eyes of spiritual revelations contained in the Mahabaratha. Our purvacharayas recognised Mahabaratha as the fifth veda and hence this adiyens conclusion. When we filter the 1,25,000 slokas the two great essences that we get is Bhagawad Gita and Vishnu Sahasranama.

This post has been edited by OutToDry: Oct 2 2012, 10:01 pm