The Scriptural Treasury of Sanathana Dharma
Shruti
"That which is heard/revealed"
Vedic Sacred Canon
1. Samhita Vedas -- "Collection" of hymns.
Rig-Veda. 1028 hymns, many in praise of devas.
Sama-Veda. "Chants" arranged for liturgical use.
Yajur-Veda. "Sacrifice" Ritual texts.
Atharva-Veda. Magical spells and incantations.
2. Brahmanas. Built upon the foundation of
the Vedas, the latter part called Aranyakas
3. Upanishads or Vedanta Philosophical
works called "vedanta", literally "the end of the vedas".
Smriti
"That which is remembered" Non-vedic Sacred Literature.
1. Vedangas -- phonetics, grammar, etymology,
prosody, medicine.
2. Dharma Shastras -- Includes Laws of Manu, which spells
out Varnashrama System.
3. Nibandhas -- Codification of Vedic laws.
4. Puranas: Popular devotional literature glorifying various
aspects of God (i.e., Vishnu, Krishna, Shiva, Devi).
5. Epics: Historical accounts of avataras (i.e., Krishna, Rama) and
heroes of ancient Bharat.
Ramayana is the story of Lord Rama, a great king and
avatar of Vishnu
Mahabharata is the longest epic poem ever
composed, which includes Bhagavad Gita ("song of the
Lord") which are the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the
battlefield of Kurukeshetra.
6. Darshanas - the theories of the six great schools of philosophy.
7. Agamas and Tantras - Traditional scriptures
of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shakta, etc.
8. Writings of Revered Gurus - Teachings,
scriptural exposition and commentaries of saints such as Sri Adi
Sankaracarya [800 C.E.], Sri Ramanuja [1100's], and Ramakrishna [1800's]).
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Selection of Scriptures
An Introduction to the
Vedas
Selections from
the Vedas
The Ramayana
The Bhagavad Gita
Selections from
Abhinavagupta
Ishopanishad
From the Granth
Sahib (Sikh)
Other Devotional Readings
Brihad Yoga
Vasishtha Sara (Excerpts)
The Bhaja Govindam by
Sri Adi Sankaracarya
The Saundarya
Lahari of Sri Adi Sankaracarya
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