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== श्रुति स्मृति भेद || Distinction between Shruti and Smriti ==

== श्रुति स्मृति भेद || Distinction between Shruti and Smriti ==

Both Shruti and Smriti represent categories of texts that are used to encapsulate Hindu Philosophy. However, they each reflect a different kind of relationship that can be had with this material. Śruti is considered solely of divine origin. Because of the divine origin, it is preserved as a whole, instead of verse by verse. Smriti on the other hand may include all the knowledge that has been derived and inculcated 'after' Śruti had already been received by the great seers or Rishis. In other words it is not 'divine' in origin, but was 'remembered' by later Rishis by transcendental means, and passed down though their followers. In some of the Smriti text itself, we are reminded of the divine nature of the Śruti texts, and are ever advised that in case of any conflict of interest between the two, the Śruti will always overrule Smriti.

Both श्रुति || Shruti and स्मृति || Smriti represent categories of texts that are used to encapsulate Hindu Philosophy. However, they each reflect a different kind of relationship that can be had with this material. Śruti is considered solely of divine origin. Because of the divine origin, it is preserved as a whole, instead of verse by verse. Smriti on the other hand may include all the knowledge that has been derived and inculcated 'after' Śruti had already been received by the great seers or Rishis. In other words it is not 'divine' in origin, but was 'remembered' by later Rishis by transcendental means, and passed down though their followers. In some of the Smriti text itself, we are reminded of the divine nature of the Śruti texts, and are ever advised that in case of any conflict of interest between the two, the Śruti will always overrule Smriti.

== शास्त्र || Texts ==

== शास्त्र || Texts ==

* Aranyakas

* Aranyakas

* Upanishads

* Upanishads

The literature of the shakhas, or schools, further amplified the material associated with each of the four core traditions.

The literature of the शाखा || shakhas, or schools, further amplified the material associated with each of the four core traditions.

== Role In Dharmic Law ==

== Role In Dharmic Law ==

texts including and up to the Śruti texts. However since its origin is

texts including and up to the Śruti texts. However since its origin is

considered divine in nature, the interpretations of śruti cannot be ascribed to

considered divine in nature, the interpretations of śruti cannot be ascribed to

a set group of people who were granted access to this information, like the Acharyas (teachers), for the purpose of interpretation. Since the nature of the Acharya and/or external factors such as regional customary laws followed by a

a set group of people who were granted access to this information, like the आचार्य || acharyas (teachers), for the purpose of interpretation. Since the nature of the Acharya and/or external factors such as regional customary laws followed by a

person who reads and interprets the Vedas, may change the meaning of what is

person who reads and interprets the Vedas, may change the meaning of what is

understood, therefore the interpretations, in conjunction with the

understood, therefore the interpretations, in conjunction with the

its entirety, only a trivial amount of these human interpretations called

its entirety, only a trivial amount of these human interpretations called

Smriti can be associated with some sort of 'rules' or 'laws'. More often than

Smriti can be associated with some sort of 'rules' or 'laws'. More often than

not the fascination of Indologists and western theologians alike to want to find similarities between what may have been their own beliefs often led to them to look for such connections under the purview of Hindu Law. A good example of this is the Dharmaśāstra (a Smriti text), which because of its sophisticated jurisprudence, was taken by early British colonial administrators to be the law of the land for Hindus in India. Ever since, Dharmaśāstra has been linked withHindu law, despite the fact that its contents deal as much or more with religious life as with law. In fact, a separation of religion and law

not the fascination of Indologists and western theologians alike to want to find similarities between what may have been their own beliefs often led to them to look for such connections under the purview of Hindu Law. A good example of this is the Dharmaśāstra (a Smriti text), which because of its sophisticated jurisprudence, was taken by early British colonial administrators to be the law of the land for Hindus in India. Ever since, Dharmaśāstra has been linked with Hindu law, despite the fact that its contents deal as much or more with religious life as with law. In fact, a separation of religion and law

within Dharmaśāstra is artificial and has been repeatedly questioned.

within Dharmaśāstra is artificial and has been repeatedly questioned.