Hindu texts facts for kids

Hindu texts

Śruti

Smriti

Itihasas
- Mahābhārata
  - Bhagavad Gītā
- Ramayana
Puranas (List)
Tantras
Sutras (List)
Stotras
Ashtavakra Gita
Gherand Samhita
Gita Govinda
Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Hindu texts are ancient writings that are very important to the Hindu faith. They are like a huge library of stories, poems, and teachings. These texts come from many different traditions within Hinduism. Some of the most famous Hindu texts are the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Itihasa (which means "history"). These writings help Hindus understand their beliefs and way of life.

A Look Back at Hindu Texts
Shruti Texts: Divine Knowledge
- The Four Vedas
- The Upanishads: Deep Thoughts
Smriti Texts: Stories and Wisdom
Why These Texts Are Important
See also

A Look Back at Hindu Texts

Hindu texts are grouped into two main types:

Shruti (pronounced Shroo-tee): This means "what is heard."
Smriti (pronounced Smri-tee): This means "what is remembered."

Shruti: Heard Wisdom

Shruti texts are the oldest and most important Hindu writings. Hindus believe these texts contain eternal knowledge. They are thought to have come from a divine source, not from humans. Ancient wise people, called rishis, heard and shared this knowledge. The Shruti texts include the four Vedas and their parts: the Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads. The Upanishads are especially important and have shaped Hindu thought for centuries.

Smriti: Remembered Stories and Teachings

Smriti texts are also very important, but they are considered to be written by human authors. They are based on the Shruti texts but offer more details and stories. The Smriti collection is huge! It includes famous Hindu epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana. It also has the Puranas, which are collections of myths and legends. These texts cover many topics, from philosophy to art and society.

How Texts Were Shared

Many ancient Hindu texts were first created in Sanskrit. For a very long time, people didn't write these texts down. Instead, they memorized them and passed them on by speaking. This oral tradition lasted for over a thousand years! Later, these important texts were finally written down. Today, you can find them translated into many languages around the world.

Shruti Texts: Divine Knowledge

As we learned, Shruti means "that which is heard." These texts are believed to be divine messages. Ancient wise people, called rishis, heard these messages thousands of years ago. Because of this, no human author is named for these texts. They were originally written in Sanskrit. The most important Shruti texts are the Vedas.

The Four Vedas

Manuscripts of 18th-century Hindu texts in Sanskrit(Devanagari) and Odia.

The Vedas are a very old collection of Hindu texts. They come from ancient India. The Rig Veda is the oldest, created around 1200 BCE. These texts are written in Vedic Sanskrit hymns. Hindus believe the Vedas are timeless and were not created by humans. They are seen as eternal knowledge, passed down by sages.

The four Vedas are:

Each Veda has four main parts:

Samhitas: These are collections of mantras and blessings.
Aranyakas: These texts describe rituals and ceremonies.
Brahmanas: These are commentaries that explain the rituals.
Upanishads: These focus on meditation, philosophy, and spiritual wisdom.

The Upanishads: Deep Thoughts

The Upanishads are a special group of Hindu texts. They contain the main philosophical ideas of Hinduism. These ideas include concepts like karma (actions and their results) and moksha (freedom from the cycle of rebirth). The Upanishads are the foundation for much of Hindu philosophy.

They are often called Vedānta, which means "the end of the Veda" or "the highest goal of the Veda." Key ideas in the Upanishads are Brahman (the Ultimate Reality) and Ātman (the Soul or Self). A main teaching is "Know your Ātman."

There are over 200 known Upanishads. Ten of them are considered the most important. These main Upanishads were memorized and shared verbally for many centuries. They were created before the Common Era, some even before the time of Buddha.

Smriti Texts: Stories and Wisdom

Smriti texts are the "remembered" writings. They include many different types of literature. Famous examples are the great epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. They also include the Puranas, which are collections of ancient stories.

These texts cover many areas of knowledge. They discuss Hindu philosophy and various sciences. For example, there were texts on architecture, economics, and even medicine. These writings helped people understand the world and their place in it.

A 19th century manuscript of the Hindu text Bhagavad Gita

The Puranas: Ancient Tales

The Puranas are a huge collection of Sanskrit texts. They were written between the 3rd century BCE and 1000 CE. The word "Purana" means "history" or "old." These texts are like encyclopedias of traditional stories and legends.

Puranas cover many topics. They tell stories about the creation of the universe. They also share tales of gods, goddesses, kings, and heroes. You can find folk tales, information about pilgrimages, and even details on medicine and astronomy. Many Puranas are named after important Hindu deities like Vishnu and Shiva.

There are 18 main Puranas, called Maha Puranas. They contain over 400,000 verses! While not considered as authoritative as Shruti texts, the Puranas have greatly influenced Hindu culture. They inspire many festivals and traditions. The Bhagavata Purana is one of the most loved Puranas. It focuses on devotion (bhakti) to Krishna.

The Mahabharata: A Great Indian Epic

The Mahabharata is one of the longest poems ever written. Its name means "The Great Indian Tale." It was put together between the 3rd century BCE and the 3rd century CE. This epic has over 100,000 verses! It is traditionally believed to be written by Vedavyasa.

The main story is about a huge war. It's a conflict between two groups of cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. The epic also teaches about dharma (one's duty or right conduct). It shares stories of many important figures in Hinduism.

A very famous part of the Mahabharata is the Bhagavad Gita. This section has 700 verses. It describes a conversation between Krishna and Arjuna before the war begins. Krishna teaches Arjuna about the soul (atma), God, and dharma.

The Ramayana: The Journey of Rama

The Ramayana is another ancient Sanskrit epic. It is believed to have been composed around the 5th century BCE. The sage Valmiki is traditionally credited with writing it. This epic contains over 24,000 verses.

The Ramayana tells the life story of Rama. Rama is seen as an incarnation of the god Vishnu. The story follows Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana. They go into exile for fourteen years. During this time, Sita is kidnapped by Ravana, the king of Lanka.

Rama, with the help of Lakshmana, Hanuman (a devoted follower), and an army, fights Ravana. Rama wins the battle and defeats Ravana. The epic ends with Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana returning home. Rama then becomes the king of Ayodhya.

Why These Texts Are Important

Hindu texts are not just religious writings. They also show us the early history of arts and sciences in India. They talk about music, dance, sculpture, and architecture. You can also find information about astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and wellness.

For example, the Ramayana mentions music and dancing. It describes celestial musicians and dancers. Other ancient texts, like the Natasutras, discussed performance arts. These writings show how important art and knowledge were in ancient India.