Difference between Shruti & Smriti
Shruti (श्रुति) means that which has been heard or communicated by a tradition with no starting point. Vedas & Upanishads are major Shruti scriptures
Smriti (स्मृति ) means which is remembered or authored by an individual (produced by human intellect ). Vedanga (वेदाङ्ग), Upaveda (उपवेद), Puranas (पुराण), Ramayana and Mahabharata are major Smriti scriptures.
What are Vedas ?
Vedas are Shruti scriptures and it is believed that knowledge of Vedas were transferred to Rishi/Sages directly by the Brahman ( Formless God).
Vedas are called Apauruṣeya (अपौरुषेय ), which means “not of a man, superhuman” and “impersonal, authorless”. Sages were द्रष्टा (seer) rather than author of Veda.
There are four Vedas : Rigveda (ऋग्वेद), Samaveda (सामवेद), Yajurveda (यजुर्वेद) & Athrvaveda (अथर्ववेद).
Each Veda has been subclassified into four major text types
- Samhitas (mantras )
- Aranyakas (text on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices )
- Brahmanas (commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices)
- Upanishads (texts on philosophy and spiritual knowledge)
What are Upanishads ?
Upanishads is created to provide the Self Knowledge ( Atman-Gyana), therefore Upanishads are main texts for Vedanta philosophy.
Vedanta is philosophy which believes that Liberation can be attained by knowing the Atman as the source and creator of this physical body and world.
The main purpose Upanishads were created is to negate the individual’s identification with physical body. Upanishads says that world has no real purpose, as it is creation of Maya and is falsely believed as real by Brahman. It is similar to a dreamer, who creates a dream world and see himself as a body in the dream and think dream world as real.
Upanishads are part of Vedas. Upanishads originated from each branch of Veda
What are Puranas ?
Puranas are part of Smriti texts, there are 18 Maha Puranas (Great Puranas) and 18 Upa Puranas (Minor Puranas) . Their main purpose of Puranas was to spread Bhakti & devotion among masses.
Excellent work…Well summarized the rich heritage/sanskriti…keep it up
Thanks Deepak for your feedback
Worthy of reading and easier to understand. Om Tat Sat.
Tapan Kumar Roy
Great work team !!
Great source of information!
Very useful information
Excellent elaborated works in nutshell enrich each and every body who were comfused to shallow such vast concept of centuries’ study in India and abroad about the thoughts and philosophy with the collective knowledge of Hinduism at large. Thanks a lot.
So, here is what I would like to know… When we open a Rigved, which Mandal / Rik marks the beginning of Upanishads…!! In simple terms, which para to which para are Upanishads…!? Are they discreetly identifiable?
amazing content..solved all my doubts..thank you very much
Thanks Abhay for your comments
From where have begin to learn or start to read the Vedas. Please advice.
Vedas or Upanishads can be learned only from a learned teacher.