Vaidika Vangmaya (वैदिकवाङ्मयम्)

Vaidika Vangmaya (Samskrit : वैदिकवाङ्मयम्) means that literature which is "associated with the Vedas". Vaidika literature includes the ancillary and subsidiary texts associated with the Vedas which have come into existence to clarify and understand the Vedas. Thus over a period of time, different explanatory shastras evolved to explain the subtle concepts presented in Vedas and they are included in under the Smriti literature.

1. वेदाङ्गानि || Vedangas (6)
2. अनुक्रमणिकाः || Anukramanikas
3. वेद-उपाङ्गानि || Veda-Upangas (4)
4. उपवेदाः || Upa-Vedas (4)
5. पुराणानि || Puranas (18)
6. उपपुराणानि || Upa-Puranas (18)
7. इतिहासः || Itihasa (2)

Vedas are a storehouse of knowledge needed for mankind, not merely spiritual but also secular or temporal. They are not compositions made in any one particular period. They are spread over a period of time; one group separated from the other probably by centuries and handed down from one generation to the other through word of mouth. Understanding vaidika literature itself developed into many branches covering different aspects of the subject. While some have developed independently (such as Jyotisha - to explain muhurtas in vaidika kriyas), others summarize (such as Kalpa which is a manual of procedures from different vedas) and a few others are simplified (like the Puranas in story format) for easy understanding (including the Mahabharata).

 विद्यास्थानानि ॥ Vidyasthanas

Chaturdasha vidyas (चतुर्दशविद्याः) are called the Vidyasthanas (विद्यास्थानानि) as they give comprehensive knowledge of dharma. These include the Chaturvedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvanaveda), Shad(ved)angas (Shiksha, Kalpa, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Chandas and Jyotish), and 4 Upangas (Puranas, Nyaya shastra, Mimamsa and Dharmashastra) of Vedas.

चतुर्दशविद्याः ॥ Chaturdasha vidyas

According to Vachaspatya, Nandi Purana gives the 14 vidyasthanas as follows

वेदादिषु चतुर्दशसु विद्यासु। ताश्च “विद्याश्चतुर्दश प्रोक्ताः क्रमेण तु यथास्थिति। षडङ्गमिश्रितावेदा धर्म्मशास्त्रं पुराणकम्। मीमांमातर्कमपि च एता विद्याश्चतुर्दश | नन्दि पु०।

vedādiṣu caturdaśasu vidyāsu। tāśca "vidyāścaturdaśa proktāḥ krameṇa tu yathāsthiti। ṣaḍaṅgamiśritāvedā dharmmaśāstraṃ purāṇakam। mīmāṃmātarkamapi ca etā vidyāścaturdaśa"| nandi pu।

Meaning : Fourteen vidyas are given as - vedas with their 6 angas (अङ्ग-s), dharmashastra, purana, mimamsa (मीमांसा) with tarka (तर्कः). According to Vachaspatya,

पुराणन्यायमीमांसाधर्म्मशास्त्राङ्गमिश्रिताः। वेदाः स्थानानि विद्यानां धर्म्मस्य च चतुर्दश” या० स्मृतौ विद्यास्थानत्वोक्तेस्तासां तथात्वम्। (Yagn. Smri. 1.3)

purāṇanyāyamīmāṃsādharmmaśāstrāṅgamiśritāḥ। vedāḥ sthānāni vidyānāṃ dharmmasya ca caturdaśa" yā. smṛtau vidyāsthānatvoktestāsāṃ tathātvam। (Yagn. Smri. 1.3)

Summary: Purana, Nyaya, Mimamsa, Dharmashastras combined with vedangas, and vedas form the 14 vidyastanas as given in Yagnavalkya Smriti. Manusmriti also refers to these abodes of knowledge as 14 vidyas as does the Mahabharata (12.122.31).

अङ्गानि वेदाश्चत्वारो मीमांसा न्यायविस्तरः । पुराणं धमर्शास्त्रं च विद्या ह्येताश्चतुदर्श ॥

aṅgāni vedāścatvāro mīmāṃsā nyāyavistaraḥ । purāṇaṃ dhamarśāstraṃ ca vidyā hyetāścatudarśa ॥

अष्टादशविद्याः ॥ Ashtadasha vidyas

However, Vishnupurana enumerates the existence of 18 vidyasthanas by adding Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Gandharvaveda (गान्धर्ववेदः) and Arthashastra (four Upavedas) to the previously explained 14 vidyasthanas as given in the following shlokas.

अङ्गानि वेदाश्चत्वारो मीमांसा न्यायविस्तरः। पुराणं धर्मशास्त्रं च विद्या ह्येताश्चतुर्दश ॥ २८ ॥ (Vish. Pura. 3.6.28)

aṅgāni vedāścatvāro mīmāṃsā nyāyavistaraḥ। purāṇaṃ dharmaśāstraṃ ca vidyā hyetāścaturdaśa ॥ 28 ॥ (Vish. Pura. 3.6.28)

आयुर्वेदो धनुर्वेदो गान्धर्वश्चेत्यनुक्रमात् । अर्थशास्त्रं परं तस्मात् विद्या ह्यष्टादश स्मृताः ।। २९ ।। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.29)

āyurvedo dhanurvedo gāndharvaścetyanukramāt । arthaśāstraṃ paraṃ tasmāt vidyā hyaṣṭādaśa smṛtāḥ ।। 29 ।। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.29)

Shivamahapurana also describes the 14 Vidyas and 18 vidyas as given above. (5.7)

वेदाङ्गानि || Vedangas

The word Anga (अङ्ग) is used in the sense of Upakaraka (उपकारक | useful tool) with reference to understanding vedajnana or the knowledge of vedas, these six shastras are extremely useful, hence they are called Vedangas. The oldest reference to what constitute the Vedangas is given in Mundakopanishad

तत्रापरा ऋग्वेदो यजुर्वेदः सामवेदोऽथर्ववेदः शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दो ज्योतिषमिति । (Mund. Upan. 1.1.5)

tatrāparā r̥gvēdō yajurvēdaḥ sāmavēdō'tharvavēdaḥ śikṣā kalpō vyākaraṇaṁ niruktaṁ chandō jyōtiṣamiti । (Mund. Upan. 1.1.5)

Meaning : Aparavidya include the rigveda, yajurveda, samaveda, atharvaveda (four vedas), siksha, kalpa, vyakaranam, niruktam, chandas, jyothisha (6 angas of vedas).

शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दसां चयः । ज्योतिषामयनं चैव वेदाङ्गानि षडेव तु ॥

śikṣā kalpo vyākaraṇaṃ niruktaṃ chandasāṃ cayaḥ । jyotiṣāmayanaṃ caiva vedāṅgāni ṣaḍeva tu ॥

According to the above shloka, Vedangas are six in number namely Shiksha, Kalpa, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Chandas, Jyotish.

Title	Subject Dealt With
1.शिक्षा || Shiksha	Science of phonetics or pronunciation and intonation.
2.व्याकरणम् || Vyakarana	Science of the grammar of language
3.निरुक्तम् || Nirukta	Etymology or the science of origin, meaning and explanation of the Vedic words.
4.छन्दस् || Chandas	Prosody or science of composition of the hymns like meter, rhyme, पाद (quarter) etc. of the mantras
5.ज्योतिष् || Jyotisha	Astronomy and astrology mainly directed towards fixing up of auspicious moments for the performance of the Vedic sacrifices
6.कल्पः || Kalpa	Science or manual of yagna kriyas or rituals, both Vedic and domestic

छन्दः पादौ तु वेदस्य हस्तौ कल्पोऽथ उच्यते । ज्योतिषामयनं चक्षुर्निरुक्तं श्रोत्रमुच्यते ॥ (Pani. Siks. 41)

शिक्षा घ्राणं तु वेदस्य मुखं व्याकरणं स्मृतम् । तस्मात् साङ्गमधीत्यैव ब्रह्मलोके महीयते ॥ (Pani. Siks. 42)

chandaḥ pādau tu vedasya hastau kalpo'tha ucyate । jyotiṣāmayanaṃ cakṣurniruktaṃ śrotramucyate ॥

śikṣā ghrāṇaṃ tu vedasya mukhaṃ vyākaraṇaṃ smṛtam । tasmāt sāṅgamadhītyaiva brahmaloke mahīyate ॥

In Paniniya Shiksha (पाणिनीयशिक्षा), these six vedangas are described in the above shloka which means - "Chandas forms the feet of the Vedapurusha, while Kalpas are the hands, Jyotish is the eye, Nirukta forms the ears, Shiksha is the nose, while the face (speech) is formed by Vyakarana. Only by studying vedas (Vedapurusha) along with vedangas (different parts) will one attain the brahmaloka".

Vedangas are thus, special shastras to understand the vedic language, meaning and their usage and the karmakanda (कर्मकाण्डः) expounded in Vedas. To discourage digressing distorted interpretations these shastras have been given by the great rishis to streamline the understanding of correct intent of the Vedas.

अनुक्रमणिकाः || Anukramanikas

For the protection of Veda mantras Anukramanika granthas (अनुक्रमणिकाग्रन्था-s) have been compiled. These Anukramanikas are lists that contain concise information about the Veda mantra's rishi, chandas and devatas. The most important rishis who contributed to creation of these lists include - Shaunaka (शौनकः), Katyayana (कात्यायनः). Though these Anukramanikas are not included Vedangas, these play an important role in the protection of vedas.

In Rigveda, the rishi, chandas, devata, anuvaka (अनुवाकः), sukta (अनुवाकः) number, the name and important features are compiled in structured manner, in Anustup chandas (अनुष्टुप् छन्दस्). The phalasiddhi (फलसिद्धिः | benefits) of chanting particular mantras is also explained in detail. Such texts are available for other vedas also (Page 94 and 95 of Reference ).

उपवेदाः || Upavedas

They are called the subsidiary Vedas. They are four in number one attached to each Veda viz.

आयुर्वेदो धनुर्वेदो गान्धर्वश्चैव ते त्रयः । अर्थशास्त्र चतुर्थन्तु विद्या ह्मष्टादशैव ताः ।। २९ ।। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.29)

āyurvēdō dhanurvēdō gāndharvaścaiva tē trayaḥ । arthaśāstra caturthantu vidyā hmaṣṭādaśaiva tāḥ ।। 29 ।। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.29)

Upaveda Name	Subject Dealt with	Associated with
आयुर्वेदः || Ayurveda	Science of healthy living including the prevention and cure of diseases	Rigveda
गान्धर्ववेदः || Gandharvaveda	Science of all forms of fine arts like music and dance.	Samaveda
अर्थशास्त्रम् || Arthashastra	Science of finance, economics, politics, statesmanship, public administration	Atharvaveda
धनुर्वेदः || Dhanurveda	Science of archery and warfare	Yajurveda

Some schools hold Sthapatyaveda (स्थापत्यवेदः | architecture) as the fourth Upaveda instead of Arthashastra. Sthapatyaveda relates with engineering and architecture.

वेद-उपाङ्गानि || Veda-Upangas

Upangas of Vedas include the following four bodies of knowledge namely.

1. Puranas
2. Mimamsa
3. Nyaya shastra
4. Dharmashastra or Smrti-granthas

According to some scholars, the Shad-Darshanas may be classified as Upangas of Vedas. According to Shri. Kishore Mishraji Pratipadasutra, Anupada, Chandobhasha (Pratisakhya) Dharmashastra, Nyaya and Vaiseshika constitute the six Upangas of Vedas.

पुराणानि ॥ Puranas

The Puranas are a vast genre of encyclopedic Indian texts about a wide range of topics particularly legends and traditional lore. Several of these texts are named after major devatas such as Vishnu, Shiva and Devi. There are 18 Mahapuranas (Great Puranas) and 18 Upapuranas (Minor Puranas), containing over 400,000 verses. The list of Puranas is given in Padmapurana (2.3.5), Vishnupurana (3.6), Skanda purana (4.7.1), Agni Purana (10.8.3)

The 18 Mahapuranas listed in Vishnu puranam are as follows

अष्टादश पुराणानि पुराणज्ञाः प्रचक्षते। ब्राह्मं पाद्मं वैष्णवञ्च शैवं भागवतं तथा। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.20)

aṣṭādaśa purāṇāni purāṇajñāḥ pracakṣatē। brāhmaṁ pādmaṁ vaiṣṇavañca śaivaṁ bhāgavataṁ tathā। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.20)

अथान्यन्नारदीयञ्च मार्कण्डेयञ्च सप्तमम् । आग्नेयमष्टमञ्चैव भविष्यं नवमं तथा ।(Vish. Pura. 3.6.21)

athānyannāradīyañca mārkaṇḍēyañca saptamam । āgnēyamaṣṭamañcaiva bhaviṣyaṁ navamaṁ tathā ।(Vish. Pura. 3.6.21) 

दशमं ब्रह्मवैवर्त्तं लैङ्गमेकादशं स्मृतम्। वाराहं द्वादशञ्चैव स्कान्दञ्चैव त्रयोदशम्। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.22)

daśamaṁ brahmavaivarttaṁ laiṅgamēkādaśaṁ smr̥tam। vārāhaṁ dvādaśañcaiva skāndañcaiva trayōdaśam। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.22) 

चतुर्दशं वामनञ्च कौर्मं पञ्चदशं स्मृतम्। मात्स्यञ्च गारुडञ्चैव ब्रह्माण्डञ्च ततःपरम्। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.23)

caturdaśaṁ vāmanañca kaurmaṁ pañcadaśaṁ smr̥tam। mātsyañca gāruḍañcaiva brahmāṇḍañca tataḥparam। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.23)

तथा चोपपुराणानि मुनिभिः कथितानि च । महापुराणान्येतानि ह्मष्टादश महामुने ।। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.24)

tathā cōpapurāṇāni munibhiḥ kathitāni ca । mahāpurāṇānyētāni hmaṣṭādaśa mahāmunē ।। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.24)

Meaning : 18 Puranas have been seen (given). They include Brahma Purana, Padma purana, Vishnu Purana, Shiva Purana, Bhagavata Purana. And the others are Narada Purana, Markandeya Purana is the seventh, Agni Purana is the eighth, Bhavishya purana being the ninth. the tenth is Brahma vaivarta Purana, the eleventh is termed Linga Purana. Varaha Purana is the twelfth and Skanda Purana the thirteenth, fourteenth is Vamana Purana, Kurma Purana is termed the fifteenth. Matsya Purana, Garuda Purana and Brahmanda Purana come after these. And (eighteen) Upapuranas have been given by rishis along with these Mahapuranas.

उपपुराणानि ॥ Upapuranas

The Upapuranas are variously given in different texts. However a few are common in all these versions. Upapuranas also describe the legends, vratas and discuss a vast number of topics (such as creation, Kala (Time), Dana, information on subjects like Dharma and Polity etc) similar to the Puranas.

अष्टादश उपपुराणानि

S. No.	स्कन्दपुराणम् ॥ Skanda purana (4.7.1)	गरुडपुराणम् ॥ Garuda Purana	देवीभागवतम् ॥ Devibhagavata	कूर्मपुराणम् ॥ Kurma Purana
1	सनत्कुमारपुराणम् ॥ Sanatkumara Purana	सनत्कुमारपुराणम् ॥ Sanathkumara Purana	सनत्कुमारपुराणम् ॥ Sanathkumara Purana	सनत्कुमारपुराणम् ॥ Sanatkumara Purana
2	नरसिंहपुराणम् ॥ Narsimha Purana	नरसिंहपुराणम् ॥ Narsimha Purana	आश्चर्यपुराणम् ॥ Ashcharya Purana	नरसिंहम्पुराणम् ॥ Narasimha Purana
3	स्कन्दपुराणम् ॥ Skanda Purana	स्कन्दपुराणम् ॥ Skanda Purana	शिवपुराणम् ॥ Shiva Purana	स्कन्दपुराणम् || Skanda Purana
4	शिवधर्मपुराणम् ॥ Shiva Dharma Purana	शिवधर्मपुराणम् ॥ Shivadharma Purana	शिवधर्मपुराणम् ॥ Shivadharma Purana	शिवधर्मपुराणम् ॥ Shivadharma Purana
5	दुर्वासपुराणाम् ॥ Durvasa Purana	नन्दीश्वर ॥ Nandiswara Purana	मानवपुराणम् ॥ Manava Purana	दूर्वासपुराणम् ॥ Durvasa Purana
6	नारदपुराणम् ॥ Narada Purana	नारदपुराणम् ॥ Narada Purana	नारदपुराणम् ॥ Narada Purana	नारदीयपुराणम् ॥ Naradeeya Purana
7	कपिलपुराणम् ॥ Kapila Purana	आश्चर्यपुराणम् ॥ Ashcharya Purana	कपिलपुराणम् ॥ Kapila Purana	कपिलपुराणम् ॥ Kapila Purana
8	मनुपुराणम् ॥ Manu Purana	वामनपुराणम् ॥ Vamana Purana		वामनपुराणम् ॥ Vamana Purana
9	उशनपुराणम् ॥ Ushana Purana	उशनपुराणम् ॥ Ushana Purana	औषसनपुराणम् ॥ Aushasana Purana	औषसनपुराणम् ॥ Aushasana Purana
10	ब्रह्माण्डपुराणम् ॥ Brahmanda Purana	ब्रह्माण्डपुराणम् ॥ Brahmanda Purana	आदित्यपुराणम् ॥ Aditya Purana	ब्रह्माण्डपुराणम् || Brahmanda Purana
11	वरुणपुराणम् ॥ Varuna Purana	वरुणपुराणम् ॥ Varuna Purana	वरुणपुराणम् ॥ Varuna Purana	वरुणपुराणम् ॥ Varuna Purana
12	कालिकापुराणम् ॥ Kalika Purana	कालिकापुराणम् ॥ Kalika Purana	कालिकापुराणम् ॥ Kalika Purana	कल्की / कालिकापुराणम्॥ Kalki / Kalika Purana
13	महेश्वरपुराणम् ॥ Maheshwara Purana	महेश्वरपुराणम् ॥ Maheswara Purana	महेश्वरपुराणम् ॥ Maheswara Purana	महेश्वरपुराणम् || Maheshwara Purana
14	साम्बपुराणम् ॥ Samba Purana	साम्बपुराणम् ॥ Samba Purana	साम्बपुराणम् ॥ Samba Purana	साम्बपुराणम् ॥ Samba Purana
15	सौरपुराणम् ॥ Saura Purana	कपिलपुराणम् ॥ Kapila Purana	सौरपुराणम् ॥ Saura Purana	सौरपुराणम् ॥ Saura Purana
16	पराशरपुराणम् ॥ Parashara Purana	पराशरपुराणम् ॥ Parashara Purana	पराशरपुराणम् ॥ Parashara Purana	पराशरपुराणम् ॥ Parashara Purana
17	मरीचपुराणम् ॥ Maricha Purana	मरीचपुराणम् ॥ Maricha Purana	भागवतपुराणम् ॥ Bhagavata Purana	मारीचपुराणम् ॥ Maricha Purana
18	भार्गवपुराणम् ॥ Bhargava Purana	भार्गवपुरानम् ॥ Bhargava Purana	वसिष्ठपुराणम् ॥ Vasishta Purana	भार्गवपुराणम् ॥ Bhargava Purana

Many other Upapuranas are also available such as Ganapatya / Mudgala ( गाणपत्यम् / मुद्गलम्), Vasishta (वासिष्ठम्), Hamsa from other different sources and a total of upto 30 Upapuranas are mentioned, though their availability is not known. Thus, we see from the two lists that the names of a few Puranas are the same in both Puranas and Upapuranas (ex: Skanda purana, Vamana purana)

According to a few scholars, "Bhagavata" in Puranas refers to Devibhagavata and not Shrimad Bhagavata containing the stories of SriKrishna.(Page 174 of Sanskrita Sahitya Charitra).

The Puranas have been influential in the development of Bharateeya samskriti. They are considered Vaidika (congruent with Vedic literature) or pertaining to vedas with easy understanding as mentioned by Shivamahapurana .

इतिहासः ॥ Itihasas

According to Swami Krishananda : The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are the towering Epics of India. While the Mahabharata is constructed out of a complicated theme of tradition, mythology, history, philosophy and mysticism, the Ramayana is a straight and running chronicle depicting the deeds of a divinely great hero who came to set an example to mankind as a whole. The Mahabharata soars into the realms of the supernatural and the marvelous, giving at the same time an easier exposition of the nature of the goal of human life. The Ramayana written in the ideal ornate style of Valmiki, mildly shaking the heart of the reader from beginning to end, and giving a silent touch of transformation to the feelings, brings about, without its being known or announced loudly, the requisite regeneration of the human mind into an ideal condition of humaneness, a sense of brotherhood, filial affection, fraternity of feeling, obedience to rule, servicefulness, honesty, firmness in resolution, and an unbounded goodness coupled with an adamantine adherence to truth.

Darshana Shastras

The chaturdasha vidyas mention Nyaya and Mimamsa shastras as part of the the Veda Upangas. In the present context, considering all the Shad darshanas to be part of the veda Upangas, they have been discussed completely in this project.

Purva Mimamsa is commonly called as Mimamsa, while Uttara Mimamsa is called Vedanta. Each Darshana is associated with a rishi, a preceptor, who gives its principles in the form of Sutras or short terse sentences embedded with a great meaning in them. Thus the shastra rachana paddhati or the writing format of shastras primarily involve the Sutras for which Bhashyam, a commentary and further on Vritti or Vartikas which are also explanatory notes are written by various authors. The object of all the darshanas is the same - to rescue men from sufferings of three kinds - Adibhoutika, Adhyatmika, Adidaivika.

The way to rescue propounded by these darshanas is also the same - removal of Avidya, which creates bandhana or bondage to Samsara, consequently union with the Supreme. The names used for Avidya, Ignorance, by different shastras are different but in essence all of them spell out the same situation of the mind. For example

• Nyaya calls it as Mithyajnana (मिथ्याज्ञानम्), false knowledge
• Sankhya calls it Aviveka (अविवेकः), non-discrimination between Self and Real.
• Yoga and Vedanta call it (अविद्या), incorrect knowledge

Each darshana aims at the removal of Ignorance by acquiring and internalizing or experiencing the Jnana, whereupon Ananda (आनन्दः) is enjoyed in the state termed as Moksha. Each of these darshanas establish their concepts by providing pramanas or proofs. Although, there are about ten kinds of pramanas primarily six kinds of them are accepted by the six darshana shastras, called as Shad Pramanas. Brief introduction of the six darshana shastras is given below

Brief Information of the Shad Darshanas

Darshana	Deals with	Rishi	Authoritative Bhashyam	Pramanas Accepted	Important Points
Nyaya Darshana	System of Logic	Gautama	Vatsyayana	Pratyaksha, Anumana, Upamana, Shabda	Sutras divided in five books. Knowledge is divided into 16 Padarthas Asatkaryavada
Vaiseshika Darshana	System of Particulars	Kanada	Prashastapada	Pratyaksha, Anumana	Knowledge is divided into 6 Padarthas Asatkaryavada
Samkhya Darshana	System of Numbers	Kapila	Samkhya Karika of Ishvara Krishna Aniruddha Vijnanabhikshu	Pratyaksha, Anumana Aptavachana	Dvaita siddhanta of Prakrti and Purusha and Viveka Origin of the 25 principles - Mahat, Ahamkara, the Tanmatras and Purusha. Satkaryavada Nir-Isvaravada
Yoga Darshana	System of Effort or of Union	Patanjali	Vyasa bhashyam	Pratyaksha, Anumana, Shabda	Sutras are 198 arranged in 4 padas. Aim is chittavrtti virodha (stop the movements of Chitta or manas) Sa-Ishvara Samkhya siddhantam
Mimamsa Darshana	System of Interpreting the Vedic texts	Jaimini	Shabara bhashyam	Prabhakara school : Pratyaksha, Anumana, Shabda, Upamana, Arthapatti Kumarila school : 5 above and Abhava (totally 6)	Concerned with karmakanda of the Veda. Mimamsa Sutras are divided into 12 books.
Vedanta	System of Interpreting the Vedic texts	Vyasa	3 Schools : Advaita : Sri Shankaracharya Vishishtadvaita : Sri Ramanujam Dvaita : Madhavacharya	Advaita : 6 Pramanas Vishishtadvaita and Dvaita : 3 pramanas (pratyaksha, anumana and shabda)	Concerned with the jnanakanda of the Veda and Ishvara. Brahmasutras are important texts.

Smrti Granthas or Dharmashastras

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 seers of different ages and different parts of India.

वर्णादिधर्मस्मरणं यत्र वेदाविरोधकम् । कीर्तनं चार्थशास्त्राणां स्मृतिः सा च प्रकीर्तिता । (Shuk. Niti. 4.3.54)

varṇādidharmasmaraṇaṁ yatra vedāvirodhakam । kīrtanaṁ cārthaśāstrāṇāṁ smr̥tiḥ sā ca prakīrtitā । (Shuk. Niti. 4.3.54)

आर्षं धर्मोपदेशं च वेदशास्त्राविरोधिना । यस्तर्केणानुसंधत्ते स धर्मं वेद नेतरः || १२.१०६ || (Manu. Smrt. 12.106)

ārṣaṁ dharmopadeśaṁ ca vedaśāstrāvirodhinā । yastarkeṇānusaṁdhatte sa dharmaṁ veda netaraḥ || 12.106 || (Manu. Smrt. 12.106)

Dharmasutras Vs Dharmashastras

Smrtis, the codified law books, otherwise known as Dharmashastras, are different texts as against the Dharmasutra works (Shrauta Sutras and Dharma Sutras) given in the Kalpas. Smrti texts have laid emphasis on the karmaushtana on the social front as compared to karmanushtana of an individual. These granthas contain information on the aspects of administration and governance, it may be said that as the number of kingdoms grew, so also the number of Smrti granthas.

Dharmasutras are the basis of Dharmashastra granthas. Dharmasutra granthas are cryptic, abbreviated with short explanations of the sutras, hence they required bhashyas or commentaries and tikas for understanding them.

Another point of debate among the scholars is whether the book named Manava-dharmashastra (मनव-धर्मशास्त्रम्) and Manusmrti are one and the same. Both these texts have been authored by Manu, who is considered as the Adipurusha (first in the human race), as per Samhita and Brahmanas. However, the aspects found in Manava-dharmashastra, which are found in other ancient texts, are not to be seen in Manusmrti. Hence is believed by scholars that Manava-dharmashastra and Manusmrti are two different texts and that Manusmrti is founded on the principles given in Manava-dharmashastra.

Kanchi Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Paramacharya, explains that some Smrtis do not contain instructions with regard to all observances. The matters explained in one Smrti may not be found in an other, thus giving rise to doubts in acharas which are to be cleared by using the works called "Dharmashastra Nibandhanas". These nibandhanas do not leave out any rite or dharma. Nirnayasindhu (by Kamalakara Bhatta), Vaidyanatha Dikshitiyam, Dharmasindhu are accepted and referred to authoritative texts in the present day.

Number of Smritis

Of such law-givers Manu, Yajnavalkya and Parasara are the most celebrated. Hindu society is founded on, and governed by the laws made by these three great seers. Of the Manu Smriti, Yajnavalkya Smriti and Parasara Smriti, Manu is the oldest law-giver. The Yajnavalkya Smriti follows the same general lines as the Manu Smriti and is next in importance to it. Manu Smriti and Yajnavalkya Smriti are universally accepted at the present time as authoritative works all over India. Yajnavalkya Smriti is chiefly consulted in all matters of Hindu Law and finds application in the Judicial System of the Government of India.

In ancient times the number of Smrtis must have been small.

• Gautama mentions only Manu, although he speaks of dharmashastras (9.19).
• Vashishta names 5 smrtikaras - Gautama, Prajapati, Manu, Yama and Harita.
• Manu speaks of six authors besides himself namely - Atri, son of Utathya, Bhrugu, Vashishta, Vaikhanasa and Saunaka.
• Baudhayana names seven besides himself, as the authors of dharma.
• Apastamba mentions 10 smritikaras, some of whom are mere names their works are not available.

There are eighteen main Smritis or Dharma Shastras, accepted by many scholars, however, as seen in the case of many other texts there are different versions of Smrti granthas. Yajnavalkya Smrti is probably one of the earliest Smrti which enumerated twenty expounders of dharma (including himself and counting Shanka and Likhita as two distinct persons) as seen in the following list

मन्वत्रिविष्णुहारीत याज्ञवल्क्योशनोऽङ्गिराः । यमापस्तम्बसंवर्ताः कात्यायनबृहस्पती । । १.४ । । (Yajn. Smrt. 1.4)

manvatriviṣṇuhārīta yājñavalkyośano'ṅgirāḥ । yamāpastambasaṁvartāḥ kātyāyanabr̥haspatī । । 1.4 । ।

पराशरव्यासशङ्ख लिखिता दक्षगौतमौ । शातातपो वसिष्ठश्च धर्मशास्त्रप्रयोजकाः । । १.५ । । (Yajn. Smrt. 1.5)

parāśaravyāsaśaṅkha likhitā dakṣagautamau । śātātapo vasiṣṭhaśca dharmaśāstraprayojakāḥ । । 1.5 । ।

• Manu Smrti
• Atri Smrti
• Vishnu Smrti
• Harita Smrti
• Yajnavalkya Smrti
• Ushanas Smrti
• Angira Smrti
• Yama Smrti
• Apastamba Smrti
• Samvarta Smrti
• Katyayana Smrti
• Brhaspati Smrti
• Parashara Smrti
• Vyasa Smrti
• Shanka-Likhita Smrti
• Daksha Smrti
• Gautama Smrti
• Shatatapa Smrti
• Vasishta Smrti

According to Sri. Chandrasekharendra Mahaswamiji, there are 18 Smrtis given by - Manu, Parasara, Yajnavalkya, Gautama, Harita, Yama, Visnu, Sankha, Likhita, Brhaspati, Daksa, Angiras, Pracetas, Samvarta, Acanas, Atri, Apastamba and Satatapa are the eighteen sages who mastered the Vedas with their superhuman power and derived the Smrtis from them.

According to Dr. Gopal Reddy, the eighteen Smrtikartas are Manu, Yajnavalkya, Atri, Vishnu, Harita, Ushanas, Angira, Yama, Katyayana, Brhaspati, Parasara, Vyasa, Daksha, Gautama, Vasishta, Narada, Bhrgu, and Angirasa.

Swami Sivananda, mentions that the eighteen Smrtis are those of Manu, Yajnavalkya, Parasara, Vishnu, Daksha, Samvarta, Vyasa, Harita, Satatapa, Vasishtha, Yama, Apastamba, Gautama, Devala, Sankha-Likhita, Usana, Atri and Saunaka.

The laws of Manu are intended for the Satya Yuga, those of Yajnavalkya are for the Treta Yuga; those of Sankha and Likhita are for the Dvapara Yuga; and those of Parasara are for the Kali Yuga. The laws and rules which are based entirely upon our social positions, time and clime, must change with the changes in society and changing conditions of time and clime. Then only the progress of the Hindu society can be ensured.

संवादः || Discussion

Traditionally, the Chaturdasha vidyas consider Puranas, Nyaya, Mimamsa and Dharmashastras as Veda Upangas. However, due to similarity of names a few questions arise here

1. Nyaya and Mimamsa shastras are mentioned under the classification of Shad Darsanas and as those among the Veda Upangas.
2. Dharmasutras are given in Kalpas (as Vedangas) and Dharmashastras are mentioned as one among the Veda Upangas.

What are included in these texts?

Dr. N. Sivasenani of University of Hyderabad, presents a few thoughts about these questions

"Nyaya" should be taken to mean Nyaya-Vaiseshika-Sankhya and Yoga​; and Mimamsa covers both Purva- and Uttara-mimamsas. Why should it be so? Based on the context. Further, Puranas include Mahabharata and Ramayana."

"​In the Vedanga Kalpas, there are four kinds of Sutras - Shrauta- (dealing with vedic rites), Grhya- (dealing with 16 samskaras)-, Dharma- (dealing with secular matters) and Shulba-​ sutras. However, of these, Dharmasutras got expanded tremendously. Firstly, there are the eighteen Smritis - like Manusmriti, Yajnavalkyasmriti and so on. Note that this enumeration is a Srmiti-work and not a Sutra-work such as Apastambasutras of Kalpas. Then these have further been expanded by huge commentaries. Further, omnibus volumes of "Nibandhas" came into existence which are a compilation of views of various Smritis and other authorities. Then since Nibandhas grew in volume, condensed manuals combining Srauta-, Grihya- and Dharma- sutra elements like Nirnayasindhu and Dharmasindhu came about. So much so that today, Dharmasindhu is usually the first and last reference when a question of Dharma arises (example: when is Sivaratri this year or who are sapindas). Since this part alone grew in volume, it is listed separately under Dharmashastras."

To summarize

• It can be said that Nyaya and Mimamsa are Upangas (Chaturdasha Vidyas) and Darshana shastras (Shad Darsanas) and based on Vedas. The Dharmasutras of Kalpa Vedanga and the Dharmashastras of Upangas are the same texts.
• Dharmasutras given under Kalpa Vedanga, for example : Apasthamba sutras (आपस्तम्बसूत्र-s) refer mainly to sutra works of dharmas associated with specific shrauta yajnika kriyas (श्रौतयाज्ञिकक्रियाः). These have been hugely expanded into Dharma-shastras (Smritis works), for example : Manu smriti. These refer to dharmas applicable to man in general society.
• While in Kalpas, Dharmasutras (classified under Vedanga) generally lay down the code of conduct to be followed by a person engaged in vaidika yagna kriyas, Dharmashastras (classified under Upangas) lay down the general moral code of conduct applicable to every human being. Also Dharmashastras include later day texts combining the different parts of Kalpas, codified into condensed versions as in Dharmasindhu and Nirnayasindhu (निर्णयसिन्धुः).
• Mimamsa is divided into Purvamimamsa and Uttaramimamsa. Purva Mimamsa highlights the discriminating and decision making qualities of the Vedas by analysis. Here, Purva Mimamsa is generally what is considered for the term Mimamsa. Uttara Mimamsa is also called as Vedanta, which is classified under the Jnanakanda (ज्ञानकाण्डः).