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===  Manusmriti ===

===  Manusmriti ===

Manusmriti has attached great importance to the Vedas and advocates primarily that the source of Dharma are the Vedas. <blockquote>वेदोऽखिलो धर्ममूलं स्मृतिशीले च तद्विदाम् । आचारश्चैव साधूनां आत्मनस्तुष्टिरेव च । । २.६ । । (Manu. Smri. 2.6)<ref name=":0">Manusmriti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 2])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: Indeed ! Vedas are the source of all Dharmas. Secondly its source is attributed to tradition and the virtuous conduct of those who follow the Veda, thirdly, to the customs of holy men and finally आत्मनस्तुष्टिः or satisfaction of the inner self.<ref name=":122">Patel, Gautam. (1999). ''Traditional Vedic Interpretations.'' New Delhi : Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan</ref></blockquote><blockquote>धर्मजिज्ञासानां प्रमाणं परमं श्रुतिः ॥ (Manu. Smri. 2.3)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : For those greatly interested seekers of Dharma, the Vedas (Shrutis) are the highest authority.</blockquote>That the Vedas are the very treasure house of all Dharmas was unequivocally and unquestionably proclaimed by Manu, the first Law-giver after the Vedas as follows<blockquote>बिभर्ति सर्वभूतानि वेदशास्त्रं सनातनम् । तस्मादेतत्परं मन्ये यज्जन्तोरस्य साधनम् । । १२.९९ । । (Manu. Smri. 12.99)<ref name=":222">Manusmriti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 12])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: The eternal Veda shastra upholds or protects all beings (by being their flawless guideline). Those endeavoring for the welfare of all beings (यज्जन्तः) regard Vedas as their supreme authoritative instrument in achieving it.</blockquote>

Manusmriti has attached great importance to the Vedas and advocates primarily that the source of Dharma are the Vedas. <blockquote>वेदोऽखिलो धर्ममूलं स्मृतिशीले च तद्विदाम् । आचारश्चैव साधूनां आत्मनस्तुष्टिरेव च । । २.६ । । (Manu. Smri. 2.6)<ref name=":0">Manusmriti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 2])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: Indeed ! Vedas are the source of all Dharmas. Secondly its source is attributed to tradition and the virtuous conduct of those who follow the Veda, thirdly, to the customs of holy men and finally आत्मनस्तुष्टिः or satisfaction of the inner self.<ref name=":122">Patel, Gautam. (1999). ''Traditional Vedic Interpretations.'' New Delhi : Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan</ref><ref name=":03">Acharya Dharma Deva Vidya Martanda. (2002). ''[https://archive.org/details/RigvedaWww.aryamantavya.in The Rigveda, with Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati's commentary, English translation, Vol I]''. New Delhi:Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>धर्मजिज्ञासानां प्रमाणं परमं श्रुतिः ॥ (Manu. Smri. 2.3)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : For those greatly interested seekers of Dharma, the Vedas (Shrutis) are the highest authorities.<ref name=":03" /></blockquote>That the Vedas are the very treasure house of all Dharma, i.e. religion, morality, righteousness, and good conduct, was unequivocally and unquestionably proclaimed by Manu, the first Law-giver after the Vedas as follows<blockquote>बिभर्ति सर्वभूतानि वेदशास्त्रं सनातनम् । तस्मादेतत्परं मन्ये यज्जन्तोरस्य साधनम् । । १२.९९ । । (Manu. Smri. 12.99)<ref name=":222">Manusmriti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 12])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: The eternal Veda shastra upholds or protects all beings (by being their flawless guideline). Those endeavoring for the welfare of all beings (यज्जन्तः) regard Vedas as their supreme authoritative instrument in achieving it.</blockquote>

=== Yagnavalkya Smriti ===

=== Yajnavalkya Smriti ===

This Smriti, on which is based the present day Indian Judiciary system, claims its foundation on Vedas thus<blockquote>न वेदशास्त्रादन्यत् तु, किंचिच्छास्त्रं हि विद्यते | निस्सृतं सर्वशास्त्रं तु, वेदशास्त्रात् सनातनात् ||</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : There are no greater shastras other than the Vedas, as all shastras arose from the eternal Veda shastras only.</blockquote>

The Yajnavalkya Smriti, on which is based the present day Hindu Law, claims its foundation on Vedas. According to Brhadyogi-Yajnavalkya-Smriti (Page No. 11 of Ved aur Vedarth)<ref name=":03" /><ref name=":13">Shastri, Jwalanth Kumar. (2009) ''Ved aur vedarth'' Rajasthan: Sri Ghudhmal Prahladkumar Arya Dharmarth Nyasa</ref><ref>Gharote. M. L. (1982) ''[https://archive.org/details/BrihadYogiYajnavalkyaSmritiEnglishTranslationBruhadGharoteM.L.BadekarV.A.KaivalyaDham Brhadyogi-yagnavalkya-smriti, English Translation]'' Lonavla : Kaivalyadhama S. M. Y. M. Samiti</ref><blockquote>न वेदशास्त्रादन्यत्तु किंचिच्छास्त्रं हि विद्यते । निःसृतं सर्वशास्त्रं तु वेदशास्त्रात् सनातनम् ॥ (Brha. Smri . 12.1)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : There are no greater shastras other than the Vedas, as all shastras arose from the eternal Veda shastras only.</blockquote>

=== Atri Smriti ===

=== Atri Smriti ===

Atri Smriti attributes the highest position of a Guru (teacher) to Vedas<blockquote>नास्ति वेदात् परं शास्त्रं, नास्ति मातु:समो गुरु: || (Atri. Smri. 148)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: There is no other shastra greater than Vedas, just as there is no greater Guru than the mother (to the child). </blockquote>

Atri Smriti attributes the highest position of a Guru (teacher) to Vedas<ref name=":03" /><blockquote>नास्ति वेदात् परं शास्त्रं, नास्ति मातु:समो गुरु: || (Atri. Smri. 5.148)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: There is no other shastra greater than Vedas, just as there is no greater Guru than the mother (to the child). </blockquote>

=== Aitereya Brahmana ===

=== Aitereya Brahmana ===

Brahmanas ascribe the origin of Vedas from the Creator of the Universe, Brahma <blockquote>प्रजापतिवर्वा इमान् वेदानसृजत् || </blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Prajapati or Brahma created (or expounded) these Vedas.</blockquote>

Brahmanas ascribe the origin of Vedas from the Creator of the Universe, Brahma <blockquote>प्रजापतिवर्वा इमान् वेदानसृजत् || </blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Prajapati or Brahma created (or expounded) these Vedas.</blockquote>

== Upanishads ==

== Upanishads ==

=== Mundaka Upanishad ===

=== Mundaka Upanishad ===

The Upanishad texts base their spiritual philosophy on Vedas and describe the origin of vedas to be from the Parabrahman or Infinite Consciousness.<blockquote>तस्मादृच: साम यजूंषि दीक्षा || ([https://archive.org/stream/CompleteWorksOfSriSankaracharyaIn20Volumes1910Edition/WorksOfSriSankaracharya05-MundakaMandukyaAitareyaUpanishads1#page/n57/mode/2up Mund. Upan. 2.1.6])</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: From Him (the Parabrahma) arise the the mantras of Rig, Yajus and Sama vedas.</blockquote>

The Upanishad texts base their spiritual philosophy on Vedas and describe the origin of vedas to be from the Parabrahman or Infinite Consciousness.<blockquote>तस्मादृच: साम यजूंषि दीक्षा || (Mund. Upan. 2.1.6)<ref>The Works of Sri Sankaracharya (1910) [https://archive.org/stream/CompleteWorksOfSriSankaracharyaIn20Volumes1910Edition/WorksOfSriSankaracharya05-MundakaMandukyaAitareyaUpanishads1#page/n57/mode/2up ''The Upanishad Bhashya - Munda, Mandukya, & Aitereya. Vol 5''] Srirangam: Sri Vani Vilas Press</ref></blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: From Him (the Parabrahma) arise the the mantras of Rig, Yajus and Sama vedas.</blockquote>

=== Brihdaranyaka Upanishad ===

=== Brihdaranyaka Upanishad ===