Hindu Scriptures Part 1

Hindu Scriptures Part 1

By Pt. Charranlall Avishkar Nandalall 

Scriptures are essential to religion. Religions are often preserved by their scriptures.  Bhagavad Geeta says, “One, who acts under the influence of his or her desires, disobeying scriptural injunctions, neither attains perfection nor happiness, nor the Supreme Abode. Therefore, let the scripture be your authority in determining what should be done and what should not be done. You should perform your duty following the scriptural injunction.” (Bhagavad Gita-16:23-24)

While the scriptures of modern religions are constrained to a singular book and are held largely inflexible to evolving thoughts, same cannot be said of the Hindu scriptures. The Hindu scriptures are referred as Vedas. By Vedas, books are not meant. Veda refers to the eternal existing cosmic body of knowledge.

The Hindu scriptures are grouped in various categories by different traditions and teachers. However, two broad categories prevail across all traditions. These are:

• Sruti—Primary Scriptures
• Smriti—Secondary Scriptures

Sruti—Primary Scriptures

The word ‘sruti’ means ‘to hear’, so all the Hindu scriptures which were heard are called Sruti. The scripture under this heading is the Veda(s).

Vedas 

The Vedas are the primary scriptures of Hindus. Veda comes from the root word ‘Vid’—to know. Vedas mean knowledge. They refer to the eternal self-existing cosmic body of knowledge.  The Vedas are the foundations of Hinduism that is Sanaatana Dharma. Hence, Hinduism is known as Sanaatan Vaidic Dharma—that which is rooted in Vedas. They are recognized as the most authoritative scriptures. They are revelations of eternal truths—the highest being Self-Realisation. Vedas are held as ‘Apaurusheya’ or superhuman. There are no specific authors of Vedas.

The Vedas were revealed by God to ancient Rishis or sages who were in search of truth. “In the beginning of the world, the Self-Existent revealed the Vedas, which are Eternal and Divine. They are the source and guide of all human activities”. (Mahabharata)

Our Rishis (sages) were very passionate in their search for truth. That is why they did not even care to mention their names. Vedas were revealed by God to the Rishis. The Rishis heard the truth. The truth was not that of the Rishis. They did not create the truth from their own mind and brain. “The Rishis first lived and tested the truth of the instructions of the Vedas, and through their divine qualities and mental purity, verified their correctness. (Atharva Veda) Truth is self-existing—always there; the Rishis were merely the medium to transmit it.

Vedas are the source of all other sets of Hindu scriptures. They comprise knowledge that will find applicable in all circumstance at all times.

“The Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Saama Veda and the Atharva Veda originated from God.” (Atharva Veda)

 “I, your Lord, say this: only through the knowledge of the Vedas can truth be known.” (Atharva Veda)

“The Vedas are the outpourings or Breath of the Supreme Being.” (Brihad-aaranyaka Upanishad)

 “The Eternal Veda upholds all beings, being their infallible guide. Therefore, I regard it as the best means for their welfare.” (Manu Smriti)

“There is no greater Scripture than the Vedas. All other scriptures are derived from and are based upon the Vedas.” (Yajnavalkya Smriti)

“As there is no greater teacher for a child than its mother, so there is no greater Scripture for anyone than the Vedas.” (Atri Smriti)

To be continued……

(Pt. Nandalall is a practicing Hindu Priest in Guyana. He studied Hindu Philosophy (Vedanta) and Bhagavad Geeta through Chinmaya International Foundation, India and is the Publisher of The Hindu Media Guyana).