Shruti and Smriti Scriptures (March 2025)

2025, Monthly Articles

This month, we are going to talk about Shruti and Smriti. No, we are not going to discuss about some persons with those names. Our topic is Sanatan scriptures. Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism) has a vast and diverse array of scriptures, categorized into two main types: Shruti (revealed texts) and Smriti (remembered texts). Each type serves a unique purpose and addresses different aspects of spiritual, philosophical, and practical life. In this month’s assignment, we will go over Key Sanatan Scriptures . Expectation from you is to understand and appreciate the breadth and depth of these scriptures.

Categories of Sanatan Scriptures

1. Shruti (Revealed Texts)
Shruti refers to texts that are considered divine revelations, directly “heard” by sages in deep meditation. These are the most authoritative scriptures in Hinduism. The main scriptures in this category are the Vedas – the foundational texts of Sanatan Dharma. We covered them in the last month’s assignment (mentioning them here for completeness of the topic). There are four Vedas: Rigveda: Hymns praising various deities; Yajurveda: Instructions for rituals and sacrifices; Samaveda: Chants and melodies for rituals; Atharvaveda: Knowledge about everyday life, healing, and spirituality.

Each Veda is further divided into:

  • Samhitas: Collections of hymns and prayers.
  • Brahmanas: Ritualistic explanations.
  • Aranyakas: Philosophical meditations for forest dwellers.
  • Upanishads: Philosophical discourses on the nature of reality, self, and God. These are also called Vedanta, as they form the concluding part of the Vedic literature. Even a superficial reading of the upanishads give a huge clarity

2. Smriti (Remembered Texts)
Smriti literature is considered less authoritative than Shruti but is more practical and dynamic, adapting to time and context. It includes various subcategories:
a. Itihasas (Epics)

  • Ramayana: The story of Lord Rama’s life, composed by Sage Valmiki.
  • Mahabharata: A grand epic by Sage Vyasa that includes the Bhagavad Gita, a spiritual discourse delivered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.

b. Puranas

The Puranas are mythological texts that narrate stories about creation, deities, kings, sages, and moral lessons. There are 18 major Puranas divided among deities like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva (e.g., Vishnu Purana, Shiva Purana).

c. Dharma Shastras

These texts provide guidelines for ethical living and law:

  • Examples include Manusmriti and Yajnavalkya Smriti.

d. Agamas

Agamas are texts detailing temple construction, rituals, and worship practices.

e. Darshanas (Philosophical Systems)

These include six schools of Hindu philosophy:

  • Nyaya (Logic), Vaisheshika (Atomism), Sankhya (Cosmology), Yoga (Meditation), Mimamsa (Rituals), Vedanta (Metaphysics).

f. Bhakti Literature

Devotional texts like the Bhagavata Purana emphasize love for God through stories of Krishna and other deities.

3. Other Texts
Apart from Shruti and Smriti, there are secular Sanskrit works such as:

  • Subhashitas: Wise sayings.
  • Kavyas: Poetry.
  • Natakas: Plays.

Appreciating Their Content
If you are thinking why you should study the vast array of Hindu scriptures and philosophies, it is not unnatural. But, you must study – if not ready to study at this stage, please know what they contain because they offer timeless lessons that nurture moral values, emotional resilience, and intellectual curiosity. For instance, texts like the Ramayana and Mahabharata teach virtues such as truth, compassion, and courage through engaging stories, while philosophical works like the Upanishads and the six schools of philosophy encourage critical thinking about life’s deeper questions. These teachings will help you develop a sense of purpose, respect for diversity, and tools to navigate challenges with wisdom and balance. Moreover, exploring these scriptures will connect you to your cultural heritage, while also giving you a strong sense of identity and belonging in an increasingly globalized world.

Personally, I find the six schools of philosophy (Darshanas) and the Upanishads particularly fascinating. They delve into profound topics like the nature of reality, the self, and ultimate liberation (moksha), offering insights that remain relevant for personal growth and introspection even today. What are your favorites?

As a part of this month’s assignment , please cover the following points:

  1. Definition of Shruti and Smriti
  2. Share some examples in both the categories
  3. If given a chance, share which scriptures you would like to read more about and why.
  4. Bonus Point: How you think people of yesteryears preserved and transmitted knowledge across generations, despite the absence of modern storage technologies like cloud storage, pen drives, hard drives, or even books.

As always, I am looking forward to your insights. Make us proud.

Regards,
Harsh Mendiratta
www.hawan.net