Introduction to Vedas and Vedanta - Part 4

Dear All,

We read  about srutis at a broader level in earlier post.

Now, we will touch upon Smritis.

SMRITIS

All Hindu scriptures, except the Darshanas and the Tantras, can be placed within two categories: the Vedas and the Smritis. As mentioned in part 1 of this series, the Vedas are the primary scriptures. The scriptures belonging to the smriti category have secondary authority only.

Broadly, the Smritis can be subdivided into three sub-categories:

1. Law Books

2. Puranas

3. Epics (called Itihasas)

The Law Books include the law codes of Hinduism, both secular and religious (since both were very much inseparable). The most important Law Book is Manu Smriti written by Manu, the first lawgiver. The word "man" is said to be derived from Manu. 

There are eighteen main Puranas and an equal number of subsidiary Puranas or Upa-Puranas. The main Puranas are: Vishnu Purana, Naradiya Purana, Srimad Bhagavata Purana, Garuda (Suparna) Purana, Padma Purana, Varaha Purana, Brahma Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Markandeya Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Vamana Purana, Matsya Purana, Kurma Purana, Linga Purana, Siva Purana, Skanda Purana and Agni Purana. 

Itihasas include the two great epics, The Ramayana and The Mahabharata, which were composed by the sages Valmiki and Vyasa respectively. These two epics contain many scriptural teachings side by side with the stories of the various Aryan clans and dynasties. 

Valmiki Ramayana contains 24,000 verses, which have been grouped into 500 Chapters and that again into seven Kandas or sections, viz., Bala, Ayodhya, Aranya, Kishkindha, Sundara, Yuddha and the Uttara Kandas.

Mahabharata contains eighteen Parvas or sections viz., Adi Parva, Sabha Parva, Vana Parva, Virata Parva, Udyoga Parva, Bhishma Parva, Drona Parva, Karna Parva, Shalya Parva, Sauptika Parva, Stree Parva, Shanti Parva, Anushasana Parva, Asvamedha Parva, Ashramavasika Parva, Mausala Parva, Mahaprasthanika Parva and Swargarohanika Parva. 

Each Parva contains many sub-Parvas or subsections    

Love.

“Embodiments of Love, Students!

Whatever you have learnt here, share it with others. It is not enough if you share it with others, you too should put your knowledge into practice and derive benefit therefrom. We prepare many delicious items at home and serve them to the guests. Is it not necessary that we should also partake of them?

Likewise, we should digest the Vedic knowledge we have acquired and also share it with others. All types of knowledge have originated from the Vēdas. That is why the Vēda is extolled as sarva vijñāna sampatti (the treasure chest of knowledge). But unfortunately, we are not making proper use of such a treasure. Share your knowledge to the extent you have acquired. Never forget what you have learnt. With sincere effort, you will certainly be able to attain sākṣhātkāra. Those of you who wish to have the vision of God should digest the Vedic wisdom you have acquired and share it with others.”

Bhagavān Sri Sathya Sai Baba – Discourse on 19 October 2004

Adi Shankara

Introduction to Vedas and Vedanta - Part 3

Dear All,

Each Veda consists of four parts: 

-the Mantra-Samhitas or hymns, 
-the Brahmanas or explanations of Mantras or rituals,
-the Aranyakas and 
-the Upanishads. 

The division of the Vedas into four parts is to suit the four stages in a man’s life.

The Mantra-Samhitas are hymns in praise of the Vedic God for attaining material prosperity here and happiness hereafter. They are metrical poems comprising prayers, hymns and incantations addressed to various deities, both subjective and objective. 
The Mantra portion of the Vedas is useful for the Brahmacharins.

The Brahmana portions guide people to perform sacrificial rites. They are prose explanations of the method of using the Mantras in the Yajna or the sacrifice. 
The Brahmana portion is suitable for the householders.

The Aranyakas are the forest books, the mystical sylvan texts which give philosophical interpretations of the rituals. 
The Aranyakas are intended for the Vanaprasthas or hermits who prepare themselves for taking Sannyasa.

The Upanishads are the most important portion of the Vedas. The Upanishads contain the essence or the knowledge portion of the Vedas. 

The philosophy of the Upanishads is sublime, profound, lofty and soul-stirring. 

The Upanishads speak of the identity of the individual soul and the Supreme Soul. They reveal the most subtle and deep spiritual truths. 
The Upanishads are useful for the Sannyasins.

The subject matter of the whole Veda is divided into Karma-Kanda, Upasana-Kanda and Jnana-Kanda. 

The Karma-Kanda or Ritualistic Section deals with various sacrifices and rituals. 

The Upasana-Kanda or Worship-Section deals with various kinds of worship or meditation. 

The Jnana-Kanda or Knowledge-Section deals with the highest knowledge of Nirguna Brahman. 

The Mantras and the Brahmanas constitute Karma-Kanda;

The Aranyakas constitute Upasana-Kanda; and,

The Upanishads  constitute Jnana-Kanda.

Love.

“Embodiments of Love, Students!

Whatever you have learnt here, share it with others. It is not enough if you share it with others, you too should put your knowledge into practice and derive benefit therefrom. We prepare many delicious items at home and serve them to the guests. Is it not necessary that we should also partake of them?

Likewise, we should digest the Vedic knowledge we have acquired and also share it with others. All types of knowledge have originated from the Vēdas. That is why the Vēda is extolled as sarva vijñāna sampatti (the treasure chest of knowledge). But unfortunately, we are not making proper use of such a treasure. Share your knowledge to the extent you have acquired. Never forget what you have learnt. With sincere effort, you will certainly be able to attain sākṣhātkāra. Those of you who wish to have the vision of God should digest the Vedic wisdom you have acquired and share it with others.”

Bhagavān Sri Sathya Sai Baba – Discourse on 19 October 2004