What are the sacred texts of Hinduism, such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita?
Hinduism has a huge and rich collection of sacred texts, which are classified into two main categories:
Shruti and Smriti.
1. Shruti--->
Shruti, which means "heard" or "revealed," refers to the most authoritative texts in Hinduism.
These texts are considered to be directly revealed by the Bhagavan (God) and are believed to be eternal and unchanging.
The original sources of Shruti are the Vedas and the Upanishads.
(A). Vedas:
The Vedas are the oldest and most sacred scriptures in Hinduism. There are four Vedas:
(i) Rigveda,
(ii) Samaveda,
(iii) Yajurveda, and
(iv) Atharvaveda.
Each Veda consists of four parts:
1. Samhitas (hymns),
2. Brahmanas (rituals),
3. Aranyakas (forest texts), and
4. Upanishads (philosophical teachings).
The Vedas contain hymns, prayers, rituals, and philosophical discussions. They are considered the foundation of Hinduism and are the basis of many religious practices and ceremonies.
For centuries, the Vedas were transmitted verbally and then compiled into written scriptures.
The four main collections of the Vedas are:
1. "Rigveda Samhita,"
2. "Sama Veda Samhita,"
3. "Yajur Veda Samhita," and
4. "Atharva Veda Samhita".
(B). Upanishads:
The Upanishads are philosophical texts that explore the nature of reality, the self (atman), and the ultimate truth (Brahman).
They are regarded as the pinnacle (or culmination) of Vedic thought and are sometimes referred to as Vedanta, meaning "the end of the Vedas."
The Upanishads are essential for understanding Hindu philosophy and spirituality because they dive deeply into metaphysical and spiritual concepts.
Although there are more than 200 Upanishads, the "Chandogya Upanishad," "Brihadaranyaka Upanishad," "Katha Upanishad," and "Mandukya Upanishad" are the most well-known.
2. Smriti--->
Smriti, which means "remembered," is a huge collection of literature authored by sages and scholars based on their understanding of the Shruti texts.
These texts cover a wide range of subjects, including law, ethics, mythology, history, and poetry.
The "Ramayana" (narrating the story of Lord Rama), the "Mahabharata" (depicting the great Kurukshetra War), the "Bhagavad Gita", the "Puranas" (mythological stories and genealogies of deities), and the "Dharma Shastras" (legal and ethical codes), etc. are some of the important Smriti texts.
(A). Bhagavad Gita:
One of the most treasured and revered scriptures in Hinduism, the Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Indian epic "Mahabharata."
The Gita is found in the "Bhishma Parva" of the "Mahabharata," one of the longest epic poems in the world.
It is a conversation between Lord Krishna, who serves as Prince Arjuna's charioteer, and Prince Arjuna. The Gita addresses the moral and philosophical dilemmas faced by Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
The Bhagavad Gita provides profound insights into duty (dharma), righteousness, and the paths to spiritual liberation (moksha). It emphasizes the importance of selfless action and devotion to God.