Word Of The Week

Shruti / Smriti :

Hinduism, the Sanatana Dharma is considered to have existed for all eternity. It's scriptures were revealed through the rishis or "seers," who received them by "visual intuition" Drishti from God. There are two levels or degrees of inspiritation. Shruti in Sanskrit means "that which is heard." Smriti means "that which is remembered." This gives rise to two divisions / types of scripture. I) SHRUTI SCRIPTURE which comprises of the Vedas: The word Veda literally means "to know (VID.) The Vedas are the primary texts of the spiritual and religious teachings of Hinduism.   There are four Vedas: Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. Each Veda has 3 portions.    -Karma Kanda: ritualistic portion.   -Upasana Kanda: worship and meditation on different aspects of the Lord.   -Jnana Kanda: The Highest Knowledge. Each Veda is divided into 4 main sections: 1.) Samhitas: which literally means "to put together"      containing hymns of prayer and worship. 2.) Brahmanas: discuss the sacrificial rituals and the correct techniques for their performance (mainly for the priests.) 3.) Aranyakas: "The Forest Books" provide mystical interpretations of the mantras and rituals put together in the seclusion of the forests. 4.) Upanishads: They represent the essence of the Vedas. They are humanity's most profound philosophical inquiry and the first perceptions of the unity of all, the ONENESS OF MAN AND GOD. "Tat Tvan Asi" meaning "That thou art." There are 18 major Upanishads                 13 principal ones - Isa, Kena, Katha                                             - Prasna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Aitareya                                             - Chandogya, Brihadaranyaka                                             - Kaushitaki, Shvetasvatara                                             - Maitre II) SMRITI SCRIPTURES:  (That which is remembered.) Derived from the Vedas and are considered to be of human origin. They are written to explain and elaborate on the Vedas.  ---Dharma Shastras: Codes of human conduct e.g. Manu Smriti  ---Nibnands  --- Puranas: Form the largest body of Smriti literature. Developed in a question and answer format to explain the subtle teachings of the Vedas. These are second only to the Epics as popular instruments of religious teaching. ---Eighteen Major Puranas: 6 to Lord Vishnu                                              6 to Lord Brahma                                              6 to Lord Shiva ---Epics: Two great Epics or Itihasa of Hinduism are the (Valmiki) Ramayan and     (Vyasa) Mahabharat including Bhagavad Gita. ---Agamas / Tantras ---Vedangas or Upa Vedas ---Darshaivas : Orthodox - Heterodox - Buddhist - Jain     Brahma Sutra, Mimasa Sutra, Nyaya Sutra, Vaishika Sutra, Sankhya Sutra,     Yoga Sutra   This gives you many sources to know and practice our Sanatana Dharma. That is the greatness of our religion - One Truth, many ways to reach it, many levels of understanding and enjoyment and practice. From mantras and rituals to stories that explain with examples and entertain us but yet leave us understanding more about our Hindu culture and the correct way of living our life. Drink deeply from these rivers of knowledge and be proud to be a Hindu. Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Ki Jai. Word of the Week article written by Dr. Kisore Sehgal ____________________________________________________________________ Resources for this article: The Hindu Mind - Bansi Pandit Outline of Hinduism - William Stoddart Hindu Culture, an Introduction - Swami Tejomayananda The Holy Vedas - Bibele & Dipavali Debray ____________________________________________________________________ Check out these Internet sites for more information: http://www.geocities.com/advaitavedant/ http://www.sthothrarathnas.com/upanishads Aitar, Brihad, Isha, Kasha, Kena, Mandu, Mundaka, Shwe Upanishads http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/indian/upanishads/index.html Katha Upanishad, Isa Upanishad, Kena Upanishad, Mundaka Upanishad, Svestasvara Upanishad, Prasna Upanishad, Mandukya Upanishad, Airareya Upanishad, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Taittitiya Upanishad, Chhanogya Upanishad http://www.naiveinspirations.com/ Griffith, Ralph T. H. , translator, Rig Veda http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/index.htm http://www.hinduwebsite.com/sacredscripts/rigintro.asp Griffith, Ralph T. H. , translator, Hymns of the Samaveda http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sv.htm http://www.hinduwebsite.com/sacredscripts/samaveda.asp Keith,Veda of the Arthur Berriedale, trans. Black Yajus School, Entitled Taittiriya Sanhita http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/yv/index.htm Tulasidasa. Sri Ramacharitamanasa, or, The Manasa lake Brimming Over with the Exploits of Sri Rama: With Hindi text and English translation http://www.gitapress.org/Download_Eng_pdf.htm Valmiki, trans. by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Ramayan of Valmiki, Translated into English Verse http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rama/index.htm http://www.valmikiramayan.net/ ____________________________________________________________________ Many excellent books on the topics found on the "Word of the Week" page can be borrowed from the Mandir's Library. The Library is free and open to all.