The literature of the Vedic tradition, known as Smriti or remembrance literature, consists of six main types of literary works:
1. Vedangas/Sutras: These are texts that provide guidance on different aspects of Vedic knowledge and practice.
2. Smritis Dharmashastras: These are texts that outline codes of conduct and laws governing societal and individual behavior.
3. Mahakavyas (Epics): These are epic poems that narrate legendary stories and moral lessons.
4. Puranas: These are texts that contain mythological stories, cosmology, and religious teachings.
5. Upavedas: These are subsidiary Vedic texts that focus on specific subjects like music, medicine, archery, etc.
6. Shad-Dharshanas: These are the six major schools of Indian philosophy.
The Vedangas consist of six branches:
1. Shiksha (Phonetics): Deals with the pronunciation and recitation of Vedic texts.
2. Kalpa Sutras (Rituals): These texts provide guidelines for Vedic rituals, including sacrifices and ceremonies.
3. Vyakarana (Grammar): Focuses on the grammar and syntax of the Sanskrit language.
4. Nirukta (Etymology): Deals with the interpretation and explanation of difficult Vedic words.
5. Chhanda (Metrics): Concerned with the poetic meters used in Vedic texts.
6. Jyotisha (Astronomy): Deals with celestial phenomena and timekeeping.
There are six famous Smritis:
1. Manu Smriti: The oldest Smriti text, providing guidelines on societal norms and laws.
2. Yajnvalkya Smriti: Another ancient text offering guidance on ethics and conduct.
3. Narad Smriti: A Smriti text from the Gupta period, focusing on legal matters.
4. Parashara Smriti: Another Gupta period text dealing with legal and social issues.
5. Brihaspati Smriti: A Gupta period text providing guidelines on conduct and law.
6. Katyayana Smriti: Also from the Gupta period, offering guidance on legal and ethical matters.
There are two main Mahakavyas (epic) in the Vedic tradition:
1. The Ramayana (Valmiki): Often called the "Adi Kavya" or the oldest epic in the world. It currently contains 24,000 verses divided into 7 sections. The first and seventh sections were added later.
2. The Mahabharata (Ved Vyasa): This is the longest epic in the world, comprising 100,000 verses. Originally, it was called the Jaya Samhita, later expanded to 24,000 verses known as the Chaturvinshati Sahastri Samhita, and finally reached its current length of 100,000 verses in the Shatasahastri Samhita. It consists of 18 chapters or Parvans, and includes the Harivamsa supplement. The Bhagavad Gita is a famous extract from the Mahabharata, found in the Bishma Parvan chapter, which is the largest chapter of the epic.
The Upavedas, also known as the auxiliary Vedas, are traditionally linked with the main Vedas and cover different areas of knowledge:
(i) Ayurveda (Medicine): Associated with the Rig Veda, it deals with the science of medicine and healing.
(ii) Gandharvaveda (Music): Linked with the Sama Veda, it focuses on the art and science of music.
(iii) Dhanurveda (Archery): Connected with the Yajur Veda, it deals with the practice and techniques of archery.
(iv) Shilpaveda/Arthaveda (Crafts/Wealth): Associated with the Atharva Veda, it encompasses the knowledge of crafts, including architecture and sculpture, as well as wealth management.
There are six major schools of Indian philosophy known as Shad-Darshanas:
(i) Sankhya Darshana: Founded by Kapila, its basic text is the Sankhya Sutra.
(ii) Yoga Darshana: Established by Patanjali, its foundational text is the Yoga Sutra.
(iii) Nyaya Darshana: Founded by Akshapada Gautama, its fundamental text is the Nyaya Sutra.
(iv) Vaishesika Darshana: Established by Uluka Kanada, its primary text is the Vaishesika Sutra.
(v) Mimansa/Purva: Founded by Jaimini, its basic text is the Purva Mimansa Sutra.
(vi) Vedanta/Uttara: Established by Badarayana, its key text is the Brahma Sutra, also known as Vedanta Sutra or Mimansa Vedanta Sutra.
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