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{{Main|Shruti_(श्रुतिः)}}The Vaidika texts were memorized and transmitted orally, from one generation to next, hence preserved over thousands of years. There are two classifications of Hindu texts: ''[[Shruti]]'' – that which is heard, and ''[[Smriti]]'' – that which is remembered.

{{Main|Shruti_(श्रुतिः)}}The Vaidika texts were memorized and transmitted orally, from one generation to next, hence preserved over thousands of years. There are two classifications of Hindu texts: ''[[Shruti]]'' – that which is heard, and ''[[Smriti]]'' – that which is remembered.

The Vedas are called Shrutis. Rishis have received the Vedas through revelation and hence Vedas are considered to be ''[[Apauruseya|apauruṣeya]]'', or entirely superhuman, without any author. The Vedas are the foundational authority of the people of Sanatana Dharma.<ref name=":022">Swami Sivananda, All about Hinduism</ref><ref name=":22" />

The Vedas called Shrutis, Amnaya (आम्नाय) and Trayi (त्रयी), passed on to student generations, memorized by hearing the mantras from the guru (guru-shishya parampara). Rishis have received the Vedas through revelation and hence Vedas are considered to be ''[[Apauruseya|apauruṣeya]]'', or entirely superhuman, without any author. The Vedas are the foundational authority of the people of Sanatana Dharma.<ref name=":022">Swami Sivananda, All about Hinduism</ref><ref name=":22" />

[[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|The Four Vedas]] are:

[[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|The Four Vedas]] are:

*[[Chandogya Upanishad]]

*[[Chandogya Upanishad]]

*[[Brhadaranyaka Upanishad]] }}

*[[Brhadaranyaka Upanishad]] }}

Besides these Shvetashvatara, Kaushitaki and Maitrayaniya Upanishads are also listed as older ones. Shri Adi Shankaracharya has given bhashyam (commentary) for these ten principal Upanishads and has mentioned about Kaushitaki and Shvetasvatara Upanishads in his writings, though he did not write the bhasyam for these two Upanishads. These 13 Upanishads are based on the ancient vedic sources and advocate the tattava of Vedanta. The many other Upanishads that are currently available have arisen based on the particular sampradayas, thus we find mainly Shaiva, Vaishnava, Yoga and Shakteya Upanishads. The older Upanishads describe the places starting from Kuru, Panchala upto Videha indicating their place of origin. It is to be noted that in place of the many Vaidika devatas we find mention more of Brahman or Parabrahman (nirakara), showing the unity of divinity. Ancient (prachina) Upanishads mention Prkruti, Purusha and Brahma while the more recent (arvachina) Upanishads mention the deities Vishnu or Shiva and so forth.   

Besides these Shvetashvatara, Kaushitaki and Maitrayaniya Upanishads are also listed as older ones. Shri Adi Shankaracharya has given bhashyam (commentary) for these ten principal Upanishads and has mentioned about Kaushitaki and Shvetasvatara Upanishads in his writings, though he did not write the bhasyam for these two Upanishads. These 13 Upanishads are based on the ancient vedic sources and advocate the tattava of Vedanta. The many other Upanishads that are currently available have arisen based on the particular sampradayas, thus we find mainly Shaiva, Vaishnava, Yoga and Shakteya Upanishads. The older Upanishads describe the places starting from Kuru, Panchala upto Videha indicating their place of origin. It is to be noted that in place of the many Vaidika devatas we find mention more of Brahman or Parabrahman (nirakara), showing the unity of divinity. Ancient (prachina) Upanishads mention Prkruti, Purusha and Brahma while the more recent (arvachina) Upanishads mention the deities Vishnu or Shiva and so forth.<ref name=":42222" />  

====The Upa-Vedas====

====The Upa-Vedas====

|Yajur Veda

|Yajur Veda

|}

|}

====The Vedangas====

====The Vedangas====

{{Main|Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)}}The Six Angas are as follows :

{{Main|Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)}}Vedangas are six topics, the study of which are required for the complete understanding of the Vedas. Each of these subjects are given by different seers, developed for the understanding of a student. The Six Angas are as follows :

#[[Shiksha (शिक्षा)|Shiksha]] is a knowledge of phonetics. Shiksha deals with pronunciation and accent. The text of the Vedas are arranged in various forms or Pathas (पाठ-s). The Padapatha (पदपाठः) gives each word its separate form. The Kramapatha (क्रमपाठः) connects the word in pairs.<ref name=":0222">All About HInduism, Swami Sivananda, Page 33-34</ref>

#[[Shiksha (शिक्षा)|Shiksha]] is a knowledge of phonetics. Shiksha deals with pronunciation and accent. The text of the Vedas are arranged in various forms or Pathas (पाठ-s). The Padapatha (पदपाठः) gives each word its separate form. The Kramapatha (क्रमपाठः) connects the word in pairs.<ref name=":022" />

#[[Chandas (छन्दस्)|Chandas]] is the knowledge of meters. This auxiliary discipline lays its focus on the metrical construction of vedic mantras and poetic meters, including those based on the number of syllables per mantra and those based on the duration of pronunciation of syllables in a mantra.

#[[Chandas (छन्दस्)|Chandas]] is the knowledge of meters. This auxiliary discipline lays its focus on the metrical construction of vedic mantras and poetic meters, including those based on the number of syllables per mantra and those based on the duration of pronunciation of syllables in a mantra.

#[[Vyakarana (व्याकरणम्)|Vyakarana]] is the knowledge of construction of words or grammar.  This auxiliary discipline has focused on the rules of grammar and siddhiprakriya (सिद्धिप्रक्रिया | the process of deriving a word), so as to establish the exact form of words and sentences to properly express ideas.

#[[Vyakarana (व्याकरणम्)|Vyakarana]] is the knowledge of construction of words or grammar.  This auxiliary discipline has focused on the rules of grammar and siddhiprakriya (सिद्धिप्रक्रिया | the process of deriving a word), so as to establish the exact form of words and sentences to properly express ideas.

#[[Nirukta]] gives the vyutpatti-artha (व्युत्पत्ति-अर्थ | etymology), explaining words, particularly those which are archaic and have a different ancient vedic usage with uncommon meaning. This auxiliary discipline has focused on developing a [[Nighantu]] which is a dictionary that has a collection of vedic usages. These words are analysed to establish the proper meaning of the words according to the context used in vedas.

#[[Nirukta]] gives the vyutpatti-artha (व्युत्पत्ति-अर्थ | etymology), explaining words, particularly those which are archaic and have a different ancient vedic usage with uncommon meaning. This auxiliary discipline has focused on developing a [[Nighantu]] which is a dictionary that has a collection of vedic usages. These words are analysed to establish the proper meaning of the words according to the context used in vedas.

#[[Jyotisha|Jyotish]] deals with astronomy and astrology. It deals with the movements of the heavenly bodies, planets, etc., and their influence in human affairs.<ref name=":0222" /> This auxiliary Vedic discipline focused on time keeping.

#[[Jyotisha|Jyotish]] deals with astronomy and astrology. It deals with the movements of the heavenly bodies, planets, etc., and their influence in human affairs.<ref name=":022" /> This auxiliary Vedic discipline focused on time keeping.

#[[Kalpa (Vedanga)|Kalpas]] are the texts that deal with the methods of [[Yagya (यज्ञ)|yajna]] and other rituals. This field focused on standardizing procedures for Vedic Shrauta rituals, Smarta rituals associated with [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|samskaras]] - major life events such as birth, wedding and death in family, as well as discussing [[Dharma|dharmas]] laid down for the personal conduct and proper duties of an individual in different stages of his life.  

#[[Kalpa (Vedanga)|Kalpas]] are the texts that deal with the methods of [[Yagya (यज्ञ)|yajna]] and other rituals. This field focused on standardizing procedures for Vedic Shrauta rituals, Smarta rituals associated with [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|samskaras]] - major life events such as birth, wedding and death in family, as well as discussing [[Dharma|dharmas]] laid down for the personal conduct and proper duties of an individual in different stages of his life.  

Among the Kalpa Sutras, the Asvalayana, Sankhyana and the Sambhavya belong to the [[Rigveda|Rig-Veda]]. The Mashaka, Latyayana, Drahyayana, Gobhila and Khadira belong to the [[Samaveda (सामवेद)|Sama-Veda]]. The Katyayana and Paraskara belong to the [[Yajurveda|Sukla Yajur-Veda]]. The Apastamba, Hiranyakesi, Bodhayana, Bharadvaja, Manava, Vaikhanasa and the Kathaka belong to the Krishna [[Yajurveda|Yajur-Veda]]. The Vaitana and the Kaushika belong to the [[Atharvaveda|Atharva-Veda]].

Among the Kalpa Sutras, the Asvalayana, Sankhyana and the Sambhavya belong to the [[Rigveda|Rig-Veda]]. The Mashaka, Latyayana, Drahyayana, Gobhila and Khadira belong to the [[Samaveda (सामवेद)|Sama-Veda]]. The Katyayana and Paraskara belong to the [[Yajurveda|Sukla Yajur-Veda]]. The Apastamba, Hiranyakesi, Bodhayana, Bharadvaja, Manava, Vaikhanasa and the Kathaka belong to the Krishna [[Yajurveda|Yajur-Veda]]. The Vaitana and the Kaushika belong to the [[Atharvaveda|Atharva-Veda]].

===The Smritis===

==== The Smrtis ====

{{Main|Smriti}}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=":222">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=":222">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 35-37</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=":222" />

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=":222" />