Smriti The Smriti, literally “that which is remembered”, is a body of Hindu texts usually attributed to an author, traditionally written down, in contrast to the Śrutis (Vedic literature) considered authorless, which were handed down verbally across generations and fixed. The Smriti is a derivative secondary work and is considered less authoritative than the Sruti […]
Pariśiṣṭa A Pariśiṣṭa is a Sanskrit supplementary text appended to another fixed, more ancient text – typically Vedic literature – intended to “communicate what remains to be said”. These are in the style of sutras, but less concise. According to Max Mueller, an adherent of the Vedas, “they may be regarded as the very last […]
Gandharva Veda Gandharva Veda is one of the four main upavedas which are derived from the four Vedas – “Rig Veda”, “Yajur Veda”, “Sama Veda” and “Atharva Veda”. From Sanskrit, gandharva means “skilled singer” or “master of music”; and veda means “knowledge” or “wisdom”. Upavedas, meaning “applied knowledge”, are specific applications of Vedic teachings. Gandharva […]
Dhanurveda The Dhanurveda (धनुर्वेद) is a Sanskrit treatise on warfare and archery, traditionally considered an Upaveda appended to the Yajurveda (1100–800 BCE) and attributed to either Bhrigu or Vishvamitra or Bharadwaja. It is one of the four upavedas of the Vedas (along with Ayurveda, Gandharvaveda and Sthāpatyaveda) Hanurveda, part of the Vedas (1700 BC – […]
Upaveda In Hinduism the term upaveda or Upved refers to traditional sciences / technical literature which have no connection whatever with the Sruti or revealed Veda. The four upavedas are Dhanurveda, Gandharvaveda, Ayurveda and Arthashastra. Some schools hold Sthapatyaveda as fourth Upaveda in place of Arthashastra. Types of Upaveda Ayurveda (Medicine), associated with the […]
Sandhyavandanam Sandhyavandanam (Sanskrit: संध्यावन्दनम्, sandhyāvandanam, lit. ‘salutation to the communities of (goddess) Sandhyā’ or ‘supposed salutation which is consecrated daily by a religious ‘dvija’) is a traditional custom through a sacred thread ceremony called Upanayanam and instructed to be performed by the Guru, in in this case qualified to teach Vedic ritual. Sandhyopasana is […]
The Upanishads are Hindu philosophical works written in late Vedic Sanskrit that served as the foundation for subsequent Hindu philosophy. They are the most recent section of the Vedas, Hinduism’s oldest texts, and deal with meditation, philosophy, consciousness, and ontological knowledge; older sections deal with mantras, benedictions, rites, ceremonies, and sacrifices. The Upanishads describe a […]
The Upanishads are Hindu philosophical works written in late Vedic Sanskrit that served as the foundation for subsequent Hindu philosophy. They are the most recent section of the Vedas, Hinduism’s oldest texts, and deal with meditation, philosophy, consciousness, and ontological knowledge; older sections deal with mantras, benedictions, rites, ceremonies, and sacrifices. The Upanishads describe a […]
The Vedic literature is divided into two categories: revealed literature and memorised literature. Vedas make up Shruti literature: Rig Veda consists of a collection of prayers, The Yajur Veda has a sacrificial handbook, whereas the Sama Veda contains largely Rig Vedic songs in musical form and the Atharva Veda contains magical charms. Each Veda is […]
Vrata (or vrat) is a Sanskrit term that meaning “promise, resolve, commitment,” and , Fasting and pilgrimage (Tirtha) are religious observances in Indian faiths such as Jainism and Hinduism. It is frequently accompanied with prayers for the health and happiness of their loved ones. In popular usage, it refers to a devotional, responsibility, commitment, spiritual […]
The word Pshupata is derived from Lord Shiva’s famous epithet Pashupati, meaning “The Lord of the Animals” or “The Lord of All Living Beings.” All people, including humans, are treated as animals until they gain emancipation in Saivism. Shiva is the spouse or Lord of the Universe. Pashupati is his name because of this. He […]
The Narayana Sukta is a spiritual supplement to the Purusha Sukta of the Veda, with the sole distinction being the divination of the Deity addressed by them. The Purusha Sukta depicts the supreme being as an all-encompassing, impersonal purusha, whereas the Narayana Sukta refers to the Lord as Narayana. The Purusha Sukta is a hymn […]
