Scriptures of India

1. Scripture

2. • Shruti & Smriti
• Vedas
• Upanishads
• Mahabarata
• Ramayana

3. Hindu scriptures are divided into 2
categories
Shruti Smriti
• This is revealed • This is remembered
scriptures scriptures.
• The Vedas are shruti. • Puranas, Laws of
• These are not Manu, Ramayana &
translated from The Mahabarata are
sanskrit so can only smriti.
be studied by • Smriti can be
Brahmins. translated and made
into cartoon strips etc.

4. Vedas
• There are 4 Vedas: Atharva Veda, Yajun
Veda & The Rig Veda.
• Each Veda contains 4 parts.
3. Samhita – original writings – hymns, prayers
& religious rituals.
4. Brahmanas – interpretation & commentary on
the Samhita.
5. Aranyakas – written by Holy men.
6. Upanishads – secret & scared messages.

5. Upanishads
• The Upanishads are secret & sacred messages
found within the Vedas.
• The word upanishad means to sit down near to
your teacher.
• They were composed between 800-300 BCE .
• The teaching of the Upanishads is concerned
with Brahman, Karma & the Atman.
• The Upanishads stress that the many deities
are all aspects of the one Brahman.

6. Mahabarata
• The Mahabarata is best known for the epic
Bhagavad Gita which is one aspect of it.
• The Gita tells the story of Krishna’s
incarnation as a chariot driver to Arjuna.
• Krishna teaches Arjuna about the
importance of following one’s dharma and
the immortality of the soul which cannot be
destroyed.

7. The Ramayana
• The Ramayana tells the story of Rama & Sita, their
exile in the forest with Lakshman. Sita’s kidnapping by
the demon Ravanna. Rama’s rescue of Sita with the
help of Hanuman the monkey King and their return
home where Rama is recognised as the rightful King.
• Sita is held up as an example of how to be a dutiful
wife.
• Hanuman is held up as an example of Bhakti
(devotion to God.)
• The story is very popular and particularly associated
with the festival of Divali.

8. Summary
• Shruti = revealed Smriti = remembered.
• The Vedas are full of hymns, prayers &
instructions for religious rituals.
• The Upanishads are secret messages found
within the Vedas concerning karma, Brahman &
atman.
• The Mahabarata contains the Bhagavad Gita
which tells the story of Krishna & Arjuna.
• The Ramayana tells the story of Rama & Sita
and is associated with Diwali.