You can get an good introduction to the Bhagavad Gita over here

The term “Sruti” in Hindu philosophy refers to ‘that which is heard’, implying a divine origin.

Here’s an overview of the Sruti literature:

The Vedas

The Vedas are the foundational scriptures of Hinduism and consist of four main collections:

1. Rig Veda: The oldest of the Vedas, consisting primarily of hymns dedicated to various deities.
2. Sama Veda: A collection of melodies and chants, derived largely from the Rig Veda, used in musical recitation.
3. Yajur Veda: Contains prose mantras used in ritual sacrifices and ceremonies.
4. Atharva Veda: Includes hymns, magic spells, and incantations, largely concerned with mundane aspects of life.

Each of these Vedas is further divided into four parts:

– Samhitas: The most ancient layer of text in the Vedas, consisting of hymns, prayers, and mantras.
– Brahmanas: Prose texts that explain the hymns in the Samhitas and instruct on their proper use in the rituals.
– Aranyakas: These texts serve as a bridge between the ritualistic Brahmanas and the philosophical Upanishads, often dealing with rituals in a symbolic and mystical manner.
– Upanishads: Also known as Vedanta, these texts discuss meditation, philosophy, and spiritual knowledge; they largely speculate on the nature of reality and the universe.

The Upanishads

While the Upanishads are technically part of the Vedas (specifically, they are the concluding part of each Veda), they are sometimes considered separately because of their distinct philosophical content. The Upanishads mark a significant departure from the ritualistic injunctions of the earlier parts of the Vedas to more spiritual and philosophical inquiries. They explore the concepts of Brahman (the ultimate reality) and Atman (the individual soul), their interrelations, and the path to realizing one’s true divine nature. There are over 200 Upanishads, with about 10-13 being the principal ones, such as:

– Chandogya Upanishad
– Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
– Mandukya Upanishad
– Mundaka Upanishad
– Isha Upanishad
– Taittiriya Upanishad

Importance of Sruti

The Sruti texts, especially the Upanishads, hold a paramount position in the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta. They are considered apauruṣeya, meaning not authored by humans, and are believed to contain eternal truths revealed to the ancient sages (rishis) during intense meditation.

Thus, apart from the Vedas themselves, the Upanishads are the other major category of texts within the Sruti. Their emphasis on spiritual knowledge and enlightenment forms the philosophical cornerstone of much of Hindu religious thought and practice.

Smriti means ‘that which is remembered’.

Smriti Scriptures Detailing Yajnas:

Manusmriti: This ancient legal text dedicates a significant portion to outlining various yajnas, their purposes, procedures, and the appropriate castes and individuals responsible for conducting them.

Yajnavalkya Smriti: Similar to Manusmriti, this text offers comprehensive instructions on performing yajnas, including details on materials, mantras, and the significance of each ritualistic action.

Parashara Smriti: This text focuses on the duties and obligations of individuals in different stages of life (ashramas) and provides guidance on yajnas suitable for each stage.

Grihya Sutras: These texts, belonging to different Vedic schools, provide detailed instructions on domestic rituals and ceremonies, including yajnas performed within households. Examples include the Asvalayana Grihya Sutra and the Gobhila Grihya Sutra.

Shrauta Sutras: These texts, also associated with specific Vedic schools, focus on the elaborate yajnas performed by specialized priests for the benefit of the community or the king. Examples include the Apastamba Shrauta Sutra and the

Mahabharata: This epic poem includes numerous narratives and dialogues that describe and discuss various yajnas, their significance, and the stories associated with them.

Puranas: These ancient texts contain a wealth of information on mythology, cosmology, and religious practices, including descriptions and interpretations of different yajnas.

Here are some links to authentic sites that explain the topics covered in this article:

• Sruti and Smriti: Sruti and Smriti [Wikipedia]
• The Vedas: The Vedas [Britannica]
• Upanishads: Upanishads [Stanford University]
• Brahman: Brahman (Hinduism) [Wikipedia]
• Atman: Atman (Hinduism) [Wikipedia]
• Bhagavad Gita: Bhagavad Gita [Wikipedia]
• Manusmriti: Manusmriti [Wikipedia]

krsnadaasa
(Servant of Krishna)