C - Hindu Texts

• Shruti


  That which is heard
• Shruti


  • Authored by the Gods, overheard by rishis
• Shruti texts


  • Vedas
  • Upanishads
• Vedas


  • Varna, jnana, polytheism
• Upanishads


  • Brahman, moksha, samsara, advaita
• Shruti


  Focus on KNOWLEDGE
• Smrti


  That which is remembered
• Smrti


  • Divinely inspired, has human influence
• Smrti texts


  • Bhagavad Gita
  • Ramayana
• Ramayana


  • Evil will always be defeated by truth
  • Relationships should be above greed, anger or treachery
  • Themes of righteous behaviour, selfless caring, courage
• Mahabharata


  • Greed and jealousy leads to misery
  • Fight for dharma / righteousness
  • Don't identify with your actions
  • God as personal + bhakti
• Shruti is seen as most sacred, with esoteric knowledge
• Shruti reveals knowledge, philosophical truths, unchanging word of God
• Smrti is well-known, easier to understand and connect with
• Smrti inspires festivals, gives practical advice on how to behave day today
• Vedas


  Gives basis of varna
• Upanishads


  Philosophical grounding of Brahman in Hinduism
• Mahabharata


  Impact of bhakti
• Ramayana


  Examples of behaviour