Basics of Vedic Literature
The Vedas are said to have been passed on from one generation to the next through verbal transmission and are, therefore, also known as Shruti (to hear) or revelation. The term Vedic literature means the four Vedas in their Samhita and the allied literature based on or derived from the Vedas. We classify the Vedic literature into the following categories:
- The four Vedas i.e. the Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva and their Samhitas.
- The BrahmanasThe Brahmanas are the prose texts which explain the hymns in the Vedas, give explanation and applications and related stories of their origin. They also ..... attached to each Samhita.
- The AranyakasThe Aranyakas were written in Forests and are concluding parts of the Brahmans. Aranyakas don't lay much emphasis on rites, ritual and sacrifices but have ......
- The UpanishadsThe word Upanishad means to sit down near someone and denotes a student sitting near his guru to learn. Eventually the word began to be ......
The basic material or mantra text of each of the Vedas is called "Samhita". Some post Vedic texts are also known as "Samhitas" such as Ashtavakra Gita, Bhrigu Samhita, Brahma Samhita, Deva Samhita, Garga Samhita, Kashyap Samhita, Shiva Samhita and Yogayajnavalkya Samhita.
Shruti and Smriti
The Vedic literature is broadly divided into two categories viz. Shruti and Smriti.
Shruti is "that which has been heard" and is canonical, consisting of revelation and unquestionable truth, and is considered eternal. Shruti describes the sacred texts comprising the central canon of Hinduism viz. Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, & Upanishads.
Smiriti literally means "that which is remembered, supplementary and may change over time". It is authoritative only to the extent that it conforms to the bedrock of Shruti and it is entire body of the post Vedic Classical Sanskrit literature. It comprises VedangaVedangas are six auxiliary disciplines associated with the study and understanding of the Vedas. They are as follows: Shiksha (Phonetics) Its aim is the teaching of ....., Shad darsana, Puranas, Itihasa, Upveda, Tantras, Agamas, Upangas.
There is another post Vedic class of Sanskrit literature called EpicsRamayan: Created by Maharishi Valmiki. Consists of 24,000 verses in seven books (Kandas) and 500 sargas) and tells the story of Rama. Verses in the ..... which includes Ramayana and Mahabharta.
It's worth note that, there is not a distinct divide between Shruti and Smriti. Both Shruti and Smriti can be represented as a continuum, with some texts more canonical than others.
- Click Here to Read about Shruti Literature
- Click Here to Read about Smriti Literature
