Hindu Scriptures Part 3
By Pt. Nandalall
Smritis
Parts one and two of the series ‘Hindu Scriptures’, we looked at the Sruti—the primary scriptures of Hinduism. In part three we will begin examining the Smriti—secondary scriptures.
Following Srutis are Smritis—secondary scriptures. Sruti (Vedas) were heard, while Smritis are what were remembered. They deal with the practical application of all the eternal principles taught in the Srutis.
The Smritis are sub-divided into six categories:
- Upa-Vedas
- Vedangas
- Veda- Upangas (Shad- Dharshanas)
- Dharma Shastras
- Puraanas
- Itihaasas
Each of the six categories above consist various other texts viz.:
Upa-vedas
The Upa-Vedas are made up of the Aryuveda, which studies the science of life; Dhanur Veda deals with the science of warfare; Ghandharva Veda looks at the science of art and music, and the Stapathya Shastra, examines with mechanics and constructions.
Vedangas
Vedangas are made up of six areas of study:
- Siksha (Phonetics)
- Kalpa (Religious Rites)
- Vyakarana (Grammar)
- Nirukta (Vedic Glossary)
- Chhandas (Prosody)
- Jyotisha (Astronomy and Astrology)
Veda-upangas (Shad Darshanas)
Veda-Upangas also called Shad Darshanas are six in number. They are the schools of Hindu philosophy. These are:
- Nyaya – by Sage Gautama
- Vaiseshika- by Sage Kanaada
- Sankhya- by Sage Kapila
- Yoga- by Sage Patanjali
- Mimamsa- by Sage Jaimini
- Vedanta- by Sage Veda Vyasa
Dharma shastras
Dharma Shastras are sometimes viewed as the only Smritis which may due to popularity. They are seemed as the ‘law books’ of Hinduism. They consist of rules relating to life at every stage. There are eighteen Dharma Shastras of which the Manu Smriti is foremost.
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).
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