History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c91.47.5

v7.c91.47.5

The Veda does not deal with the movements of the planets, nor does it contain correct calculations about the proper times (for religious acts), nor does it deal with the *tithivṛddhi* or *tithikṣaya*, nor with the determination of the *parvans* (amāvāsyā, pūrṇimā &c.) or eclipses. Determinations about these were formerly made in Itihāsa and Purāṇas. What is not seen in the Vedas is all noticed in the Smṛtis; what is not seen in both is declared in the Purāṇas. What is declared by the Vedas and what is declared by the auxiliary lores—it is Veda that is declared by Smṛtis and Purāṇas. The person who looks upon Purāṇas in any other light would be born as a lower animal'.¹⁴⁸¹ The Nāradīyapurāṇa¹⁴⁸² further states 'the merit acquired by those wicked men who speak about Purāṇas as *arthavādas* (mere laudatory¹⁴⁸³ or condemnatory statements) are destroyed and the wicked man who regards as *arthavādas* the Purāṇas that are the means of uprooting (the evil effects of) all acts, reaches Hell'.