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Line 19: − + − + − The Hindu texts were memorized and transmitted orally, from one generation to next, for more than a millennia before they were written down into manuscripts.<ref name="michaelwitzel68">[[Michael Witzel]], "Vedas and Upaniṣads", in: Flood, Gavin, ed. (2003), The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism, Blackwell Publishing Ltd., ISBN 1-4051-3251-5, pages 68-71</ref><ref name="graham67">William Graham (1993), Beyond the Written Word: Oral Aspects of Scripture in the History of Religion, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0521448208, pages 67-77</ref> + − −
Bharatiya Samskrtika Parampara (भारतीयसांस्कृतिकपरम्परा) (view source)
Revision as of 11:03, 17 November 2017
, 11:03, 17 November 2017→The Scriptures: Modified content. Removed Witzel's words.
=== The Srutis ===
=== The Srutis ===
{{Main|Shruti_(श्रुति)}}
{{Main|Shruti_(श्रुति)}}
There are two historic classifications of [[Hindu]] texts: ''[[Shruti]]'' – that which is heard,<ref name="jamessruti" /> and ''[[Smriti]]'' – that which is remembered.<ref name="jamesmriti" />
The Hindu texts were memorized and transmitted orally, from one generation to next. There are two historic classifications of [[Hindu]] texts: ''[[Shruti]]'' – that which is heard,<ref name="jamessruti" /> and ''[[Smriti]]'' – that which is remembered.<ref name="jamesmriti" />
The Srutis are called the [[Veda (वेद)|Vedas]]. The Hindus have received the Vedas through revelation. Vedas are considered to be ''[[Apauruseya|apauruṣeya]]'', or entirely superhuman, without any author.<ref name=":0" /> The Vedas are the foundational scriptures of the Hindus.
The Srutis are called the [[Veda (वेद)|Vedas]]. The Hindus have received the Vedas through revelation. Vedas are considered to be ''[[Apauruseya|apauruṣeya]]'', or entirely superhuman, without any author.<ref name=":0" /> The Vedas are the foundational scriptures of the Hindus.<ref name=":0" />
There are four Vedas: the [[Rigveda]], the [[Yajurveda]], the [[Samaveda]] and the [[Atharvaveda]]. The Yajur Veda is again divided into two parts- The Sukla and the Krishna. The Krishna or the Taittirya is the older book and the Sukla or the Vajasaneya is a later revelation to sage [[Yagnyavalkya|Yajnavalkya]] from Sun-God.<ref name=":0" /> The Rig-Veda is divided into twenty one sections, the Yajur Veda into one hundred and nine sections, the Sama Veda into one thousand sections and the Atharva Veda into fifty sections. In all, the Veda is thus divided into one thousand one hundred and eighty recensions.<ref name=":0" />
There are four Vedas: the [[Rigveda]], the [[Yajurveda]], the [[Samaveda]] and the [[Atharvaveda]]. The Yajur Veda is again divided into two parts- The Sukla and the Krishna. The Krishna or the Taittirya is the older book and the Sukla or the Vajasaneya is a later revelation to sage [[Yagnyavalkya|Yajnavalkya]] from Sun-God.<ref name=":0" /> The Rig-Veda is divided into twenty one sections, the Yajur Veda into one hundred and nine sections, the Sama Veda into one thousand sections and the Atharva Veda into fifty sections. In all, the Veda is thus divided into one thousand one hundred and eighty recensions.<ref name=":0" />
Each Veda has been subclassified into four major text types – the [[Samhita]]s (mantras and benedictions), the [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] (explanation of Mantras and rituals)<ref name=":0" />, the [[Aranyaka|Aranyakas]] (mystical texts which give philosophical interpretation of the rituals. These are intended for the Vanaprasthas or hermits, who prepare themselves for taking Sanyasa)<ref name=":0" />, and the [[Upanishads]] (text discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).
Each Veda has been subclassified into four major text types – the [[Samhita]]s (mantras and benedictions), the [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] (explanation of Mantras and rituals)<ref name=":0" />, the [[Aranyaka|Aranyakas]] (mystical texts which give philosophical interpretation of the rituals. These are intended for the Vanaprasthas or hermits, who prepare themselves for taking Sanyasa)<ref name=":0" />, and the [[Upanishads]] (text discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).