Hindu Scripture: An Outline

Shruti ("That which is heard"): Vedic Sacred Literature

1. Samhita Vedas -- "Collection" of hymns.
a. Rig-Veda. 1028 hymns, many in praise of devas. (ca. 1500-900 B.C.E.)

b. Sama-Veda. "Chants" arranged for liturgical use.

c. Yajur-Veda. "Sacrifice".

d. Atharva-Veda. Magical spells and incantations.

2. Brahmanas. (ca. 850 B.C.E.) Latter part called (aranyakas -- ca. 500 B.C.E.)

3. Upanishads or Vedanta (ca. 500 B.C.E.) Philosophical works.

---

Smriti ("That which is remembered"): Non-vedic Sacred Literature.

1. Vedangas -- phonetics, grammar, etymology, prosody, medicine.

2. Dharma Shastras -- Includes Laws of Manu, which spells out

Varnashrama System.

3. Nibandhas -- Codification of Vedic laws.

4. Puranas and Epics -- popular literature.

a. Puranas: Glorifying various gods (Vishnu, Krishna, Shiva).

b. Epics: Ramayana and Mahabharata (includes Bhagavad Gita).

5. Darshanas -- the 6 schools of philosophy.

6. Agamas or Tantras (Sectarian scriptures of Shaivism, Vaishnavism,

and Shaktism).

7. Writings of Revered Gurus. (e.g., Shankara [800 C.E.], Ramanuja [1100's], and Ramakrishna [1800's]).