Smriti

Smriti ( Sanskrit , f., स्मृति, smṛti , "what is remembered") is the name of a canon in Hindu literature. Smritis have authority in Hinduism only insofar as they agree with the Shrutis , the earlier, primary texts of Hinduism. These have a higher priority because the Rishis , as the old sages are called, are said to have "heard" the content directly. But the Smritis are also regarded as revelations for their followers and are passed on by the various gurus . There is no consensus on the exact classification of the Smriti.

The smriti contains:

• Itihasa (poetry, the epics)
  • Mahabharata
  • Ramayana
• Puranas (religious texts, 16 major Puranas)
  • Bhagavatapurana
• Sutras (guides)
  • Shrautasutras
  • Grihyasutras (sutras for the domestic rites)
• Dharmashastras (law books)
  • Manusmriti
• Nitishastras (legal texts)
  • Arthashastra
• 6 Vedangas (auxiliary sciences)
• Agamas
  • Tantra

Web links

• Hindu website (English)