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yajvan
27 April 2007, 09:42 AM
Smrti
From the root smr, to remember, hence smrti is that which is recalled or remembered.

Discussion
Many times smrti refers to classical scriptures such as the agamas of Veda, the vedangas, dharma-sastra's (or law books) and the ithihasas from iti+ha+asa or 'so it was' - another name for history ( from his+story) or that which is recalled, or smrti.

The Ithihasas are the epics such as the Mahabharata , the Ramayana, the various Puranas e.g. Vishnu, Agni, Siva Purana's.

One of most renown smriti's is the smrti-prasthana called the Bhagavad Gita or the song of the Lord. It is smrti-prasthana because it is 'the remembered foundation'. This smriti is often called the cream of the Veda's , as Lord Krsna takes Arjuna in 700 verses ( some say 701) though all the key elements of life, spiritual pursuits, ones duty ( some call dharma) and one's essential nature.

Now, one that follows these books are considered smarta, the followers of smrti.

References:
A Concise Dictionary Of Indian Philosophy -John Grimes