Divisions of the Vedic Literatures
SRUTI – [revealed writings, or “that which is heard”]:
The four Veda Samhitas - [Rg, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva].
- Brahmanas
- aranyakas
- Upanisads [more than (108) books].
SMRTI – [tradition, or “that which is remembered”]:
Itihasas - [Epics, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata,
which includes the Bhagavad-gita].
- Puranas (Histories):
- A] - The (18) Maha-Puranas (“Great Puranas”):
(6) sattvic Puranas (for persons in goodness):
Bhagavata-Purana (Srimad-Bhagavatam),
Visnu-Purana,
Naradiya-Purana
Garuda-Purana
Padma-Purana
Varaha-Purana
(6) rajasic Puranas (for persons in passion):
Matsya-Purana
Kurma-Purana
Liìga-Purana
Siva-Purana
Skanda-Purana
Agni-Purana
(6) tamasic Puranas (for persons in ignorance):
Brahma-Purana
Brahmanda-Purana
Brahma-vaivarta-Purana
Markandeya-Purana
Bhavisya-Purana
Vamana-Purana
- B] - The (18) Upa-Puranas (“Minor Puranas”)
- C] - The Numerous Sthala-Puranas (“Regional Puranas”)
- Sutras(codes) - [Srauti-Sutra, Grha-Sutra, Kalpa-Sutra, Dharma-Sutra, Sulva-Sutra, Vedanta-Sutra].
- Vedangas (auxiliary Sciences) - [Siksa, Chandas, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Jyotisa, Kalpa].
- Upavedas(sciences indirectly related to Vedic Study) - [ayur-veda, Gandharva-veda, Dhanur-veda, Sthapatya-veda].
- Bhasyas (writings and commentaries of the great acaryas throughout history).
Bookmarks