ṛg-yajuḥ-sāma-atharva-ākhyāḥ - the names of the four Vedas; vedāḥ - the Vedas; catvāraḥ - four; uddhṛtāḥ - made into separate parts; itihāsa - historical records (Mahābhārata); purāṇam ca - and the Purāṇas; pañcamaḥ - the fifth; vedaḥ - the original source of knowledge; ucyate - is said to be.

The four divisions of the original sources of knowledge [the Vedas] were made separately. But the historical facts and authentic stories mentioned in the Purāṇas are called the fifth Veda.