Hinduism, often referred to as Sanatana Dharma (the eternal way of righteous living), is a complex and ancient faith with a rich collection of sacred texts. Unlike religions with a single holy book, Hinduism has a vast library of scriptures that guide its diverse beliefs and practices. These texts are broadly categorized into two main types:
1. Shruti (“That which is heard”) These are considered divinely revealed texts, believed to have been heard by ancient sages (rishis) in deep meditative states and transmitted orally for centuries before being written down. They are regarded as the ultimate authority in Hinduism.
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- The Vedas: The oldest and most foundational scriptures of Hinduism. The word “Veda” means “knowledge.” There are four main Vedas, each with subdivisions:
- Rig Veda: The oldest Veda, consisting of hymns and mantras praising various deities. It is a collection of 1,028 hymns and over 10,600 verses.
- Yajur Veda: Contains prose mantras and instructions for performing rituals, ceremonies, and sacrifices (Yajnas).
- Sama Veda: A collection of chants and tunes for singing during sacrifices and rituals.
- Atharva Veda: Contains hymns, spells, charms, and magical formulae, dealing with daily life, healing, and protection.
Each Veda is further divided into:
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- Samhitas: The core collection of hymns and mantras.
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- Brahmanas: Prose texts that explain and elaborate on the rituals, ceremonies, and sacrifices.
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- Aranyakas: “Forest texts” that bridge the gap between the Brahmanas and Upanishads, focusing on mystical and symbolic interpretations of rituals.
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- Upanishads: Philosophical and metaphysical texts that form the culmination of Vedic thought (hence also called Vedanta). They explore the nature of Brahman (Ultimate Reality) and Atman (the individual soul) and the path to liberation (moksha). Key Upanishads include the Brihadaranyaka, Chhandogya, Katha, and Mundaka.
- The Vedas: The oldest and most foundational scriptures of Hinduism. The word “Veda” means “knowledge.” There are four main Vedas, each with subdivisions:
2. Smriti (“That which is remembered”) These texts are attributed to human authors and are based on the teachings and interpretations of the Shruti. While highly revered, their authority is considered secondary to the Shruti.
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- Itihasas (Epics):
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- Mahabharata: One of the two great epic poems, it is the longest poem in the world, with approximately 100,000 verses. It narrates the story of the Kurukshetra War between the Pandavas and Kauravas.
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- Bhagavad Gita: A crucial part of the Mahabharata, this philosophical dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra is one of the most widely read and revered Hindu scriptures. It delves into duty (dharma), action (karma), devotion (bhakti), and knowledge (jnana).
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- Mahabharata: One of the two great epic poems, it is the longest poem in the world, with approximately 100,000 verses. It narrates the story of the Kurukshetra War between the Pandavas and Kauravas.
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- Ramayana: The other great epic, it tells the story of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana, and their struggle against the demon king Ravana. It embodies ideals of righteousness, devotion, and sacrifice.
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- Itihasas (Epics):
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- Puranas: A collection of ancient tales and legends that provide spiritual wisdom, stories of gods and goddesses, cosmic creation, genealogies of deities and sages, and descriptions of holy places and rituals. There are 18 Mahapuranas (major Puranas) and many Upapuranas (minor Puranas).
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- Dharma Shastras: Texts dealing with law, ethics, and social conduct, providing guidance on how to live a righteous life according to dharma. The Manusmriti (Laws of Manu) is a prominent example.
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- Agamas: Sectarian texts that focus on the worship of specific deities (Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti) and outline rituals, temple construction, iconography, and spiritual practices.
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- Darshanas (Philosophical Schools): Various schools of Hindu philosophy, such as Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, and Vedanta, which interpret and elaborate on the teachings of the Vedas.
Core Beliefs Reflected in the Texts:
These holy books collectively underpin the core beliefs of Hinduism, including:
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- Brahman: The ultimate, supreme reality, the source of all existence.
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- Atman: The individual soul or self, believed to be identical with Brahman. The purpose of life is to realize this unity.
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- Dharma: Righteous conduct, duty, ethics, and the cosmic order.
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- Karma: The law of cause and effect, where every action has a reaction, influencing one’s present and future lives.
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- Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
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- Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of samsara and the attainment of ultimate spiritual freedom and union with Brahman.
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- Murtis/Deities: The belief in many gods and goddesses who are seen as manifestations or aspects of the one Ultimate Reality (Brahman). Devotion (Bhakti) to these deities is a significant path for many Hindus.
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- Yoga: Various paths and disciplines (e.g., Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Raja Yoga) to achieve spiritual realization.
The diversity of these sacred texts allows for a wide range of interpretations and devotional practices within Hinduism, accommodating different temperaments and spiritual paths.