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'''Smriti''' literally "that which is remembered," refers to a body of [[Hinduism|Hindu]] texts usually attributed to an author, traditionally written down but constantly revised, in contrast to [[Śruti]]s (the Vedic literature) considered authorless, that were transmitted verbally across the generations and fixed.
'''Smriti''' literally "that which is remembered," refers to a body of [[Hinduism|Hindu]] texts usually attributed to an author, traditionally written down but constantly revised, in contrast to [[Śruti]]s (the Vedic literature) considered authorless, that were transmitted verbally across the generations and fixed.
Dutta<ref>Datta, D. M. (1956). India’s debt to the west in philosophy. Philosophy East and West, 6, 195–212. doi:10.2307/1397150</ref> describes the relationship between Sruti and Smriti as follows: “Sruti is the primary scripture and authority in itself, whereas Smriti literature takes its authority from Sruti and is written to explain and elaborate Sruti to make it understandable and meaningful to the common people” (p. 189).
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
''Smrti'' is a Sanskrit word, from the root Smara (स्मर), which means "remembrance, reminiscence, thinking of or upon, calling to mind", or simply "memory".<ref name="monierwilliams">[http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/tamil/recherche smRti] Monier-Williams' Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, Germany</ref> The word is found in ancient Vedic literature, such as in section 7.13 of the [[Chandogya Upanishad]]. In later and modern scholarly usage, the term refers to tradition, memory, as well as a vast post-Vedic canon of "tradition that is remembered".<ref name="monierwilliams" />
''Smrti'' is a Sanskrit word, from the root Smara (स्मर), which means "remembrance, reminiscence, thinking of or upon, calling to mind", or simply "memory".<ref name="monierwilliams">[http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/tamil/recherche smRti] Monier-Williams' Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, Germany</ref> The word is found in ancient Vedic literature, such as in section 7.13 of the [[Chandogya Upanishad]]. In later and modern scholarly usage, the term refers to tradition, memory, as well as a vast post-Vedic canon of "tradition that is remembered".<ref name="monierwilliams" />
Smritis are ancient law-codes dealing with the sanatana-Varnasrama-Dharma. They supplement and explain the ritualistic injunctions called Vidhis in the Vedas. The Smriti Sastra is based on the Sruti. The Smriti stands next in authority to the Sruti. It explains and develops Dharma. It lays down the laws which regulate (Hindu) national, social, family and individual obligations. The works which are expressly called Smritis are the law books, Dharma Sastras. The laws for regulating Hindu society from time to time are codified in the Smritis. The Smritis have laid down definite rules and laws to guide the individuals and communities in their daily conduct and to regulate their manners and customs. The Smritis have given detailed instructions, according to the conditions of the time, to all classes of men regarding their duties in life. The Hindu learns how one has to spend his whole life from these Smritis. The duties of Varnasrama and all ceremonies are clearly given in these books<ref name=":2">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 35-37</ref>.
Smritis are ancient law-codes dealing with the sanatana-Varnasrama-Dharma. They supplement and explain the ritualistic injunctions called Vidhis in the Vedas. The Smriti Sastra is based on the Sruti. The Smriti stands next in authority to the Sruti. It explains and develops Dharma. It lays down the laws which regulate (Hindu) national, social, family and individual obligations. The works which are expressly called Smritis are the law books, Dharma Sastras. The laws for regulating Hindu society from time to time are codified in the Smritis. The Smritis have laid down definite rules and laws to guide the individuals and communities in their daily conduct and to regulate their manners and customs. The Smritis have given detailed instructions, according to the conditions of the time, to all classes of men regarding their duties in life. The Hindu learns how one has to spend his whole life from these Smritis. The duties of Varnasrama and all ceremonies are clearly given in these books<ref name=":2">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 35-37</ref>.
Smrtis are texts containing guidance on the application of the knowledge of the Vedas within a given period of time<ref>Prakashananda, S. (2016, October 22). Aranyakand lecture series. Toronto, ON: Chinmaya Mission.</ref>. Smrtis include codes of social ethical, moral and domestic conduct<ref>Chinmayananda, S. (2010). Self unfoldment. Mumbai: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust.</ref>.
Smrtis are texts containing guidance on the application of the knowledge of the Vedas within a given period of time<ref name=":1">Prakashananda, S. (2016, October 22). Aranyakand lecture series. Toronto, ON: Chinmaya Mission.</ref>. Smrtis include codes of social ethical, moral and domestic conduct<ref>Chinmayananda, S. (2010). Self unfoldment. Mumbai: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust.</ref>.
The Smritis prescribe certain acts and prohibit some others for a Hindu, according to one's birth and stage of life. The object of the Smritis is to purify the heart of a person and take him/her gradually to the supreme abode of immortality and make him/her perfect and free. These Smritis have varied from time to time. The injunctions and prohibitions of the Smritis are related to the particular social surroundings. As these surroundings and essential conditions of the Hindu society changed from time to time, new Smritis had to be compiled by the sages of different ages and different parts of India.<ref name=":2" />
The Smritis prescribe certain acts and prohibit some others for a Hindu, according to one's birth and stage of life. The object of the Smritis is to purify the heart of a person and take him/her gradually to the supreme abode of immortality and make him/her perfect and free. These Smritis have varied from time to time. The injunctions and prohibitions of the Smritis are related to the particular social surroundings. As these surroundings and essential conditions of the Hindu society changed from time to time, new Smritis had to be compiled by the sages of different ages and different parts of India.<ref name=":2" />
Swami Ranganathananda<ref name=":0">Ranganathananda, S. (2000). ''Universal Message of the Bhagavad Gītā: An Exposition of the Gītā in the Light of Modern Thought and Modern Needs''. Vol. 1. Advaita Ashrama.</ref> explains that Sruti contains universal truths - they contain the ideas that are Sanatana. Along with this idea of Sanatana Dharma, comes the idea of Yuga Dharma, a Dharma for a particular Yuga or period, for a particular age of history, for a particular group of people - this is called Smriti.
Swami Ranganathananda<ref name=":0">Ranganathananda, S. (2000). ''Universal Message of the Bhagavad Gītā: An Exposition of the Gītā in the Light of Modern Thought and Modern Needs''. Vol. 1. Advaita Ashrama.</ref> explains that Sruti contains universal truths - they contain the ideas that are Sanatana. Along with this idea of Sanatana Dharma, comes the idea of Yuga Dharma, a Dharma for a particular Yuga or period, for a particular age of history, for a particular group of people - this is called Smriti.
A Smrti that is applied to a time period other than the one it was written for can have a negative impact, because the application of knowledge from the Vedas changes depending on the needs of that period, not unlike how much of what was socially acceptable 150 years ago would no longer be acceptable today<ref name=":1" />.
=== The Celebrated Hindu Law Givers<ref name=":2" /> ===
=== The Celebrated Hindu Law Givers<ref name=":2" /> ===