Literature of Vedic Tradition (Smriti
i.e. rememberance literature)
comprises of 6 literary works :
1.
Vedangas/ Sutras
2. Smritis Dharmashastras
3. Mahakavyas (Epics)
4. Puranas
5. Upvedas
6. Shad- Dharshanas .
There are six Vedangas :
(i)
Shiksha (phonetics) : ‘pratishakhya’ _ the oldest text on phonetics.
(ii)
Kalpa Suyras (Rituals)
: a. Sharauta Sutras/ Sutras-
deal with the sacrifices, b. Grithya Sutras_ deal with family
ceremonies,c. Dharma Sutras_ deal with Varnes, Ashramas etc.
(iii)
Vyakarana (Grammer ) : ‘Ashtayayi’ ( Panini) the oldest grammar of the word.
(iv)
Nirukta (Etymology ) : ‘Nirukta’ (Yask) based on ‘ Nighantu’ (
Kashyha)- a collection of difficult vedic words _ (Nighantu’ the oldest word –
collection of the world; ‘Nirukta _ the oldest dictionary of the world).
(v)
Chhanda ( Metrics) :
‘Chhandasutras’ (Panin ) – famous text.
(vi)
Jyotisha (Astronomy): ‘Vedanga
Jyotisah ‘ ( Lagadh Muni)- the oldest jyotisha
text.
There are six famous Smritis : (i) Manu Smriti
(Pre-Gupta Period)_ the oldest Smriti
text; Commentators: Vishwarupa, Meghatithi, Gobindraj, Kulluk Bhatt.
(ii) Yajnvalkya Smriti (pre- Gupta Period)_ Commentators: Vishwaaarupa,
Vijnyaneshwaar, Apararka (a king of
Shilahar Dynasty ) (iii) Narad
Smriti ( Gupta period ) (iv) Parashara
Smriti ( Gupta period) (v) Brihaspati
Smriti (Gupta period ) (iv)
Katyayana Smriti (Gupta period).
There are mainly two
Mahakavyas ( Epics):
(i)
The Ramayana (Valmiki) : It is known as ‘Adi Kavya’ (the oldest epic of the world ). At present ,
it consists of 24,000 shlokas i.e. verses
(Originall7y 6,000, Later- 12,000, Finally – 24,000) in 7 Kandas i.e.
sections. 1st and 7th
Kandas were the latest additions to the Ramayana.
(ii)
The Manabbharata (Ved Vyasa ) :
The longest epic of the world . At
present , it consists of 1,00,000
shlokas i.e. verses (Originally -8,800-
Jay Samhita . Later – 24.000 – Chaturvivshati
Sahastri Samhita/ Bharata,
Finally- 1,00,000 – Shatasahastri
Samhita / Maha Bharata ) in 18
Parfvans i.e. chapters, plus the Hari
vamsa supplement. Bhagavad Gita is extracted from
Bihshma Parvan of Mahabaratra.
Upavedas
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Associated
with
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(i)
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Ayurveda i.e. Medicine
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Rig Veda
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(ii)
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Gandharvaveda i.e. Music
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Sama Veda
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(iii)
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Archery
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Yajur vada
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(iv)
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Shilpveda/ Arthaveda i.e. the science of Atharva
Veda craft /weath (vishwakarma)
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Atharva Veda
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Darshana
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Founder
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Basic Text
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(i)
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Ankhya Darshana
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Kapila
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Sankhya Sutra
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(ii)
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Yoga Darshana
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Patanjali
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Yoga Sutra
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(iii)
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Nyaya Darshana
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Akshapada Gautama
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Nayaya Sutra
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(iv)
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Vaishesika Darshana
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Uluka Kanada
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Vaishesika Sutra
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(v)
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Mimansa/ Purva-Mimansa
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Jaimini
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Purva Mimansa Sutra
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(Vi)
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Vedant / Uttara- Mimansa
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Badarayana
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Brahma Sutra/
Vedant Sutra
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d