Hindu ScripturesSanatana Dharma ("Eternal Religion"), a.k.a Hinduism, is without any contest the "world champion" of Scriptures, both in its breath (covering 18 fields of knowledge, it has far more scriptures than all the other world religions put together) and its depth.

As the great Indologist Max Muller said, "If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed the choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems of life, and has found solution of some of them which well deserve the attention even of those who have studied Plato and Kant-I should point to India. And if I were to ask myself from what literature we here in Europe, we who have been nurtured almost exclusively on the thought of Greeks and Romans, and of one Semitic race, the Jewish, may draw that corrective which is most wanted in order to make our inner life more perfect, more comprehensive, more universal, in fact more truly human, a life not for this life only, but a transfigured and eternal life-again I should point to India."

The sheer number of scriptures should not be so surprising, in light of the fact that Indians have always considered all arts, sciences, and occupations as sacred, i.e. offering the opportunity to perfect one's love for God by carrying out our activities guided by the scriptures and the sages. Hence there are scriptures for meditation, administration, love-making, dancing, grammar, architecture, temple worship, and so on and so forth.

The Fourteen Fields of KnowledgeIndian scriptures span fourteen fields of knowledge (vidya) and four complements to the Vedas (upavedas). The fourteen fields are the four Vedas (Rik, Yajur, Sama, Atharva), the six vedangas (meter, etymology, phonetics, grammar, astrology-astronomy, rituals), and the four upangas (logic, enquiry, sacred history, code of social conduct). The four complements to the Vedas are medicine, politics-economics, warfare, and fine arts.(The Mahabharata, Ramayana, as well as Sankhya, Patañjala, Pashupata and Vaishnava, form part of Dharma Shastras.)

The Six CategoriesAnother method is to classify all scriptures in six categories:

1) scriptures which have been divinely revealed,

2) scriptures which have been composed,

3) sacred epics,

4) sacred legends and history,

5) manuals of divine worship, and

6) the six philosophical systems.

This is the classification that we will examine presently.

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I. Shrutis

Shruti means "heard", i.e. divinely revealed scriptures. The shrutis are also known as prabhu-samhitas ("Commanding Treatises"). They refer to the four Vedas only.

All religions trace their scriptures to the revelation given by God to a single chosen messenger... except in Hinduism. The Vedas were not revealed to a single prophet. They existed in a subtle form before creation began, and were gradually revealed to a number of sages or rishis (over 800 of them, according to some calculations) in the depth of their meditation. Each Vedic mantra is dedicated to a particular deity (devata), and set in one of 19 possible meters (chhandas).The word veda itself come from the Sanskrit root vid, "to know." The four Vedas number all together over 20,500 mantras.

1. Rig Veda

It was revealed to Paila Rishi and dedicated to Agni, the fire god. It is presided by the planet Guru (Jupiter).It is divided in ten books (mandalas), made of 1028 hymns (suktas), which comprise 10,552 mantras in total. The Rig Veda originally had twenty-one recensions (shakhas), only five of which are still extant. It contains hymns on gods, soul, social life.It contains the Aitareya and Kaushitaki Upanishads.

2. Yajur Veda

It was revealed to Vaishampayana Rishi and dedicated to Vayu, the wind god. It is presided by the planet Shukra (Venus).It is divided in 40 parts (skandas), which comprise 1975 mantras in

total.It is divided in: 1) the Krishna ("Black") Yajur Veda book (the oldest), and 2) the Shukla ("White") Yajur Veda book (a later revelation to Sage Yajñavalkya, nephew of Sage Vaishampayana)The Yajur Veda originally had 102 recensions (85 for the Black, 17 for the White) only four of the Black and two of the White are still extant today. It is a manual on rituals and sacrifices.The Black contains the Taittiriya and Katha Upanishads, while the White contains the Isha and Brihadaranyaka Upanishads.

3. Sama Veda

It was revealed to Jaimini Rishi and dedicated to Aditya, the sun god. It is presided by the planet Mangal (Mars).It is divided in: 1) Purvarcika, made of four parts (skandas), containing 585 mantras.2) Uttararcika, made of 21 parts (skandas), containing 964 mantras. Of the total of 1549 mantras, all but 75 of them come from the Rig Veda.The Sama Veda originally had 1000 recensions, only three of which are still extant today. It contains devotional hymns, music, prayers for peace.It contains the Chhandogya and Kena Upanishads.Note: in the matter of Vedic sacrifices, the prayoga (operative) mantras are taken from the Rig Veda, adhwaryu (priestly) from the Yajurveda and the audgatra (singing) from the Samaveda.

4. Atharva Veda

It was revealed to Sumanthu Rishi and dedicated to Aditya, the sun god. It is presided by the planet Budha (Mercury).It comprises: 1) Purvadha ("first half"), made of various discourses.2) Uttarardha ("second half"), comprising the critical appreciation of rituals, etc.The Atharva Veda is divided in four books (prapathakas), totaling twenty chapters (skandas) and includes 6,077 mantras.It originally had 9 recensions, of which only two are still extant today.It contains hymns to deities, creation stories, mantras to ward off evil and enemies, magic and tantra.An astounding total of 93 Upanishads are found in the Atharva Veda, among which the famous Prashna, Mundaka, and Mandukya Upanishads.

Division of the VedasEach Veda comprises four parts:a) The mantra-samhitas: hymns of praise to deities to attain material prosperity in this world and happiness in the next.b) The brahmanas: manual for the performance of sacrificial rites.c) The aranyakas: philosophical interpretations of the rituals.d) The Upanishads, a.k.a. vedanta ("end of the Vedas"): the essence or mystical portion of the Vedas. These four divisions of the Vedas are often described in terms of a divine harvest, where the samhita represents the tree, the brahmana the flower, the aranyaka the unripe fruit, and the upanishad the ripe, sweet fruit.

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II. Smritis Smriti means "remembered". These are the secondary scriptures, of human composition.A. The Four Upavedas ("Subsidiary Vedas")1) Ayurveda ("Science of life and health"), associated with the Rig Veda:Charaka Samhita by Charaka.Susruta Samhita, by Susruta, on the science of rejuvenation.Vagbhata Samhita by Vagbhata.Kama Sutras by Vatsyayana, on the science of healthy sex.2) Dhanurveda ("Military science"), associated with the Yajur Veda:Dhanur Shastra by Sage Vishwamitra, in four chapters dealing with both offensive and defensive warfare, mystic missiles, spells, etc3) Gandharva Veda ("Science of music and art"), associated with the Sama Veda:Gandharva Shastra by Sage Bharata on the science of vocal and instrumental music and dance as a means to concentrate the mind on God.4) Arthashastra ("Science of politics and economics").Note: Other (minor) sources consider this fourth upaveda to be sthapatya shastra ("Science of mechanics and construction"), associated with the Atharva Veda.Arthasastra dealing with the acquisition of material things like wealth by righteous means. Under this head, nitisastra, shilpasastra, the sixty-four kalas and also other physical and metaphysical subjects are included.The kalas According to the Vamakeshvara Tantra, there are 64 books called kalas. There are various lists of these 64 "arts". One such list is as follows:1. Vocal music

2. Instrumental music3. Dance4. Acting5. Painting6. Making emblems7. Making garlands and other creations with flowers8. Artwork for mattresses9. Artwork for bedspreads10. Body esthetics11. House decoration12. Making musical instruments operated by water (such as the jalataranga, for instance)13. Making sound effects in water14. Costume and fashion design15. Making pearl necklaces16. Hair styling17. Art of dressing18. Making ear ornaments19. Flower decoration20. Food styling21. Magic22. Landscaping23. Manicure24. Pastry making25. Making drinks26. Sewing27. Making nets28. Solving and creating riddles29. Reciting poems30. Discoursing on epics and poetical works31. Reading32. Attending theatrical plays33. Completing verses left unfinished (samasya) by others as a challenge34. Making cane furniture35. Woodworking36. Debate37. Architecture38. Assessing gold and gems39. Metallurgy40. Cutting and polishing diamonds41. Searching for ore42. Special knowledge of trees and plants43. Cock fighting44. Interpreting the songs of birds45. Massage

46. Hair care47. Sign language48. Learning foreign languages49. Scholarship in local languages50. Predicting the future51. Mechanical engineering52. Strengthening memory power53. Learning by ear54. Instantaneous verse-making55. Decisiveness in action56. Pretense57. Prosody58. Preserving clothes59. Gambling60. Playing dice61. Playing with children62. Rules of respectful behavior63. Art of storytelling and entertaining, (like bards and minstrels)64. Grasping the essence of subjects.Kautilya Artha Shastra by Sage Kautilya (a.k.a. Chanakya) (302 B.C.E.): a treatise on government by the prime minister of India's first great emperor, Chandragupta Maurya.Chanakya Neeti by Chanakya (302 B.C.E.)Note: the Mahabharata can also be classified as part of the artha shastra.

B. The Six Vedangas ("Organs of the Vedas") According to tradition, these are to be mastered before the study of the Vedas.The Vedangas (limbs of the Vedas) are six: siksha, kalpa, vyakarana, nirukta, chhandas and jyotisha. By using the name Vedanga the human origin of these subjects is indicated, although they are in close association with the Vedas.1. Siksha ("Phonetics"):Siksha of Maharshi Panini2. Vyakarana ("Grammar"):Vyakarana of Maharshi PaniniMahabhashya by Sage Patañjali. A commentary on Sage Panini's Sanskrit grammar.3. Chhandas ("Prosody meter"):Chhandas of Pingalacharya4. Nirukta ("Etymology"):Nirukta of Yaska

5. Jyotisha ("Astronomy and astrology"):Jyotisha of Garga

Other classic texts on jyotisha:Shani Mahatmya ("Greatness of Saturn").6. Kalpa ("Methods of Rituals"):i. Srauta kalpa, methods for the performance of sacrifices.ii. Sulba kalpa, methods of measurements for the sacrifice area.iii. Dharma kalpa, methods for ethics. Out of eighteen texts of dharma shastra, the three most important are:Manu Smriti ("The Laws of Manu") (150 B.C.E.), meant for the satya yuga.Yajñavalkya Smriti ("The Laws of Yajñavalkya"), meant for the treta yuga.Parashara Smriti ("The Laws of Parashara"), meant for the kali yuga.The other fifteen are: Sankha-Likhita Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Sankha"), meant for the dvapara yuga.Gautama Dharma Sutra ("Gautama's Institutes of the Sacred Law")Apastamba Dharma Sutra ("Apastamba's Aphorisms on the Sacred Law")Vasishtha Dharma Sutra ("Vasishtha's Aphorisms on the Sacred Law")Saunaka Dharma Sutra ("Saunaka's Aphorisms on the Sacred Law")Vishnu Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Vishnu")Daksha Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Daksha")Samvarta Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Samvarta")Vyasa Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Vyasa")Harita Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Harita")Satatapa Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Satatapa")Yama Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Yama")Devala Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Devala")Usana Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Usana")Atri Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Atri")iv. The grihya kalpa, methods for domestic life.

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III. Itihasas ("Sacred Epics")The Itihasas are also known as suhrit-samhitas ("Friendly Treatises").There are four epics:1. Ramayana, by Sage Valmiki (500 B.C.E.). The epic of the avatar Rama and his consort Sita faced with the demon Ravana.2. Mahabharata, by Sage Vyasa (1316 B.C.E.). The epic of the avatar Krishna, including the complete story of the Pandavas and Kauravas. Its importance is such that it is referred as the "Fifth Veda." According to its author, "It unveils the secrets of the Vedas,

contains the essence of the Upanishads. It elaborates on the Itihasas and Puranas, astrology, morality and ethics, life science, medicine, charity and generosity, it is also a description of holy places of pilgrimage, rivers, forests, oceans and mountains. It is the greatest epic of mankind, rich with knowledge and applied knowledge. It is a book on theology, political philosophy; a scripture of devotion and action and is the synopsis of the Aryan scriptures". The Bhagavad Gita is a small part of this epic. 3. Harivamsa4. Yoga Vasishtha by Sage Valmiki (500 B.C.E.)

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IV. Puranas ("Sacred Legends and History")Often described as the "magnifying glass of the Vedas", tradition ascribes them to Sage Vyasa. By definition, the Puranas must deal with the following five topics (pancha-lakshana): 1) History; 2) Cosmology; 3) Secondary creation; 4) Genealogy of kings; and 5) World-cycles. There are eighteen main Puranas and eighteen subsidiary ones (upa puranas).

A. The 18 Main Puranas

They are divided into three groups of six Puranas each: 1) Sattvic Puranas, glorifying Lord Vishnu; 2) Rajasic Puranas, glorifying Lord Brahma; 3) Tamasic Puranas, glorifying Lord Shiva.These main Puranas are:1. Bhagavat Purana by Sage Vyasa (1300 B.C.E.). The life and legends of Shri Krishna. (18,000 verses)2. Vishnu Purana (23,000 verses)3. Naradiya Purana (25,000 verses)4. Garuda (Suparna) Purana (19,000 verses)5. Padma Purana (55,000 verses)6. Varaha Purana (10,000 verses)7. Brahma Purana (24,000 verses)8. Brahmanda Purana (12,000 verses)9. Brahma Vaivarta Purana (18,000 verses)10. Markandeya Purana (9,000 verses)11. Bhavishya Purana (14,500 verses)12. Vamana Purana (10,000 verses)13. Matsya Purana (14,000 verses)14. Kurma Purana (17,000 verses)15. Linga Purana (11,000 verses)16. Siva Purana (24,000 verses)17. Skanda Purana (81,100 verses)18. Agni Purana (15,400 verses)

B. The 18 Upa-Puranas

The eighteen subsidiary Puranas are: 1. Sanat Kumara2. Narasimha3. Brihannaradiya4. Sivarahasya5. Durvasa6. Kapila7. Vamana8. Bhargava9. Varuna10. Kalika11. Samba12. Nandi13. Surya14. Parashara15. Vasishtha16. Devi-Bhagavata17. Ganesha18. Hamsa

C. The Tamil Puranas

These are all Puranas glorifying Lord Shiva, as he incarnated Himself in the form of Dakshinamurti to teach the four Kumaras (sons of Brahma). These Tamil Puranas are:1. Siva Purana2. Periya Purana3. Siva Parakramam4. Tiruvilayadal Purana

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V. Agamas ("Manuals of Divine Worship") The Agamas do not derive their authority from the Vedas, but are not antagonistic to them. They follow a four-fold method of worship: 1) jñana ("knowledge"); 2) yoga ("concentration"); 3) kriya ("esoteric ritual"); 4) charya ("exoteric worship").The most important books on the Agamas are:Ishvara-SamhitaAhirbudhnya-Samhita Sanatkumara-SamhitaNarada-Pancharatra

Spanda-PradipikaThe Agamas are divided into three categories: 1) The Vaishnava Agamas or Pancharatra Agamas (worship of Vishnu); 2) The Shaiva Agamas (worship of Shiva); 3) The Shakta Agamas or Tantras (worship of the Divine Mother or Shakti).A. The Vaishnava AgamasThere are 215 Vaishnava Agamas, the most important ones being:1. Isvara Samhita2. Ahirbudhnya Samhita3. Paushkara Samhita4. Parama Samhita5. Sattvata Samhita6. Brihad-Brahma Samhita7. Jñanamritasara Samhita The Vaishnava Agamas are divided into four classes: a/ Pancharatra, considered as the most authoritative. They consist of seven groups:1. Brahma2. Shaiva3. Kaumara4. Vasishtha5. Kapila6. Gautamiya7. Naradiyab/ Vaikhanasac/ Pratishthasarad/ Vijñana-lalita

B. The Shaiva Agamas There are 28 Shaiva Agamas, of which the chief is the Kamika Agama. There are two principal divisions in Shaivism, both based on these 28 Agamas as well as the Vedas: 1) Kashmir Shaivism, a.k.a. the pratyabhijna system, a non-dualistic philosophy; and 2) Southern Shaivism, a.k.a. shaiva siddhanta, a dualistic philosophy.Each Agama has upa-agamas ("Subsidiary Agamas"). Of these, only fragmentary texts of twenty are extant.

C. The Shakta Agamas There are 27 Shakti Agamas, usually in the form of dialogues between Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. The most important ones are:  1. Mahanirvana Tantra

2. Kularnava Tantra3. Kulasara Tantra4. Prapanchasara Tantra

5. Tantraraja6. Rudra-Yamala Tantra7. Brahma-Yamala Tantra8. Vishnu-Yamala Tantra

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VI. Shad-Darshana ("Six Philosophies"), a.k.a. Upa-Vedangas The six darshanas or ways of seeing things, are usually called the six systems or six different schools of thought. The six schools of philosophy are the six instruments of true teaching or the six demonstrations of Truth. Each school has developed, systematized and correlated the various parts of the Veda in its own way. Each system has its sutrakara, i.e., the one great Rishi who systematized the doctrines of the school and put them in short aphorisms or SutrasThe Sutras are terse and laconic. The rishis have condensed their thoughts in the aphorisms. It is very difficult to understand them without the help of commentaries by great sages or rishis. Hence, there arose many commentators or bhashyakaras. There are glosses, notes and, later, commentaries on the original commentaries.The darshanas are grouped into three pairs of aphoristic compositions which explain the philosophy of the Vedas in a rationalistic method of approach. These pairs are:nyaya and vaiseshikasankhya and yogamimamsa and vedantaThe shad-darshana (the six schools of philosophy) or the shat-shastras are:

1. Nyaya

Nyaya represents the logical approach to spirituality, founded by Gautama Rishi: Nyaya Sutras by Gautama Rishi (350 B.C.E.): 537 sutras divided in five chapters, dealing with the analytical process of cognition.

2. Vaiseshika

Vaiseshika deals with the material aspect of creation and the path of discrimination, founded by Kanada Rishi: Vaiseshika Shastra by Kanada Rishi: 373 sutras divided in twelve chapters, written as a supplemental science to nyaya, and

acknowledging the authority of scripture.

3. Sankhya

Sankhya presents a dualistic conception of purusha (soul) and prakriti (nature), founded by Kapila Muni): Sankhya Shastra by Kapila Muni: six chapters describing the world as real, and the purpose of life is freedom by understanding the difference between purusha and prakriti.Additional texts on sankhya: Sankhya Karika by Ishvara Krishna

4. Purva (or karma) mimamsa

Purva mimamsa deals with outer practices, i.e. rituals, and was founded by Sage Jaimini: Mimamsa Sutras by Jaimini (200 B.C.E.) in twelve chapters.

5. Yoga

Yoga concerns itself with inner practice, and was founded by Patañjali Maharshi: Yoga Sutras by Patañjali Maharshi (150 B.C.E.): 194 sutras divided in four parts, expounding on the eightfold limbs process of God-realization. It is also known as raja yoga.Additional texts on yoga:Hatha Yoga Pradipika. The first systematic exposition on the much misunderstood science of Hatha Yoga. Gheranda Samhita. The classic tantric text on yoga in the form of a dialogue between the sage Gheranda and an inquirer. Shiva Samhita. A detailed Sanskrit classic on the practice of yoga.

6. Uttara (or sharirika) mimamsa, a.k.a. Vedanta

Vedanta concerns itself with the realization of the Truth, and was founded by Sage Vyasa: Vedanta Sutras by Sage Bhadrayana (350 B.C.E.Brahma-Sutras by Sage Vyasa (1450 B.C.E.): 555 aphorisms presenting the entire philosophy of the Vedas. A good knowledge of the Upanishads is required before studying this work.Additional texts on Vedanta: the Upanishads.The word upanishad is derived from upa, "near;" ni, ";" and shada, "to sit by the side [of the guru]". It also means, "that which brings one to God's side."Composed from 1450 B.C.E. onward, there are 108 authoritative Upanishads, out of which the main ones are:1. Isha Upanishad

2. Katha Upanishad3. Kena Upanishad4. Mundaka Upanishad5. Shvetashvatara Upanishad6. Prashna Upanishad7. Mandukya Upanishad8. Aitareya Upanishad9. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad10. Taittiriya Upanishad11. Chhandogya Upanishad12. Kaushitaki Upanishad13. Maitrayani Upanishad14. Mahanarayana UpanishadThe Bhagavad Gita, although part of the Mahabharata (Book Bhishma Parva, sections 13-42), is considered as an Upanishad. In this respect, it is said that "Just as the Upanishads are the cream of the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gita is the cream of the Upanishads. The Upanishads are the cows, Lord Krishna is the cowherd, Arjuna is the calf, and the Bhagavad Gita is the milk. The wise drink the milk of the Gita."

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VII. Other Scriptures

A. The Various Gitas

1. Anu Gita (from the Mahabharata, Book Ashvamedha, Canto 16): the conversation between Arjuna and Krishna after the war and coronation of Yudhishthira.2. Ashtavakra Gita a.k.a. Ashtavakra Samhita: a short treatise on nondualistic Vedanta in the form of a dialogue between the saintly king Janaka and his guru Sage Ashtavakra.3. Avadhuta Gita by Sage Dattatreya. This sublime "Song of the Free" expounds the ultimate truths of nondualistic Vedanta.4. Bhagavad Gita (from the Mahabharata, Book Bhishma Parva, chapters 25-42)5. Bhikshu Gita (from the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana, Book 11, chapter 23)6. Brahma Gita (from the Skanda Purana, chapter 4 of the book Suta Samhita, and chapters 1-12 of the book Yajñavaibhava Khanda). Another version with the same name is found in Yoga Vasishtha, in the section on Nirvana, stanzas 173-181.7. Brahmana Gita: this forms a part of the Anu Gita described above.8. Bodhya Gita (from the Mahabharata, Book Moksha Parva, as a part of the book Shanti Parva)

9. Devi Gita (from the Devi Bhagavata, Book 7, chapters 31-40)10. Ganesha Gita (from the Ganesha Purana, Book Krida Khanda, chapters 138-148): it is quite close to the Bhagavad Gita in format and contents.11. Hamsa Gita (from the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana, Book 11, chapter 13)12. Hari Gita: this is the name given to the Bhagavad Gita by Sage Narada, in the Mahabharata, Book Shanti Parva, chapter 346, verse 10.13. Harita Gita (from the Mahabharata, Book Moksha Parva, as a part of the book Shanti Parva)14. Ishvara Gita, a.k.a. Uttara Gita (from the Kurma Purana, first eleven chapters of Uttara Vibhaga)15. Kapila Gita (from the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana, Book 3, chapters 23-33)16. Manki Gita (from the Mahabharata, Book Moksha Parva, as a part of the book Shanti Parva)17. Pandava Gita (from the Mahabharata)18. Parashara Gita (from the Mahabharata, Book Moksha Parva, as a part of the book Shanti Parva)19. Pingala Gita (from the Mahabharata, Book Moksha Parva, as a part of the book Shanti Parva)20. Rama Gita. Two versions exist: 1) the most common is from the Adhyatma Ramayana (a part of the Brahmanda Purana), Section 5 of the book Uttara Kanda, in which Lord Rama imparts the knowledge of the Self to his most devoted and dear brother Lakshmana; 2) the second one, common in Tamil Nadu, is from the Guru Jñana Vasishtha-Tattva Sarayana. This text comprises three parts, dealing with 1) knowledge (jñana), 2) spiritual practice (upasana), and 3) actions (karma).21. Ramana Gita: this is a contemporary treatise written in Sanskrit by the South Indian sage Ramana Maharshi.22. Shiva Gita (from the Padma Purana, Book Patala Khanda)23. Shiva Shampaka Gita (from the Mahabharata, Book Moksha Parva, as a part of the book Shanti Parva)24. Surya Gita (from the Guru Jñana Vasishtha-Tattva Sarayana, Book Karma khanda, Part 3, chapters 1-5). This text comprises three parts, dealing with 1) knowledge (jñana), 2) spiritual practice (upasana), and 3) actions (karma).25. Suta Gita (from the Skanda Purana, Book Yaña Vaibhava Khanda, chapters 13-20)26. Uddhava Gita ( from the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana, Book 11, chapters 6-29). The last teachings of Lord Krishna transmitted to his most ardent devotee and uncle, Uddhava.27. Uttara Gita. A dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna.

28. Vicikhyu Gita (from the Mahabharata, Book Moksha Parva, as a part of the book Shanti Parva)29. Vritra Gita (from the Mahabharata, Book Moksha Parva, as a part of the book Shanti Parva)30. Vyasa Gita (from the Kurma Purana, twelfth chapter onward of the Uttara Vibhaga)31. Yama Gita. Three versions exist: 1) in the Vishnu Purana, Book 3, chapters 1-7; 2) in the Agni Purana, Book 3, chapter 381; and 3) in the Narasimha Purana, chapter 8.

B. Miscellaneous

Shandilya Bhakti Sutras by Sage Shandilya (100 C.E.)Narada Bhakti Sutras by Narada. The classic work on the path of devotion by the great sage Narada, eternal companion of Krishna.Devi Mahatmyam, a.k.a. Chandi or Durga Saptasati, which comes from the Markandeya Upanishad. The poetic narration of triumph of the Divine Mother over the forces of evil.Sri ChakraSaundaraya Lahari by Adi ShankaracharyaShakta UpanishadSubhagodayamAdhyatma RamayanaTripura RahasyaTirukural by Tiruvalluvar (150 B.C.E.)Tevaram: hymns of the Shaiva saints of South IndiaTiruvachakam: hymns of the Shaiva saints of South IndiaDivya-Prabandham: hymns of the Alvar saints of South IndiaSongs of Sant KabirAbhangas of Sant TukaramRamayana of Sant Tulasidas

VIII. Secular Writings of a Spiritual Orientation

A. Wisdom Tales (subhashitas)

This category includes wise sayings, instructions, fables and stories, either in poetry or in prose. Some of the most famous are:Three Centuries of Verses by BhartrihariSubhashita-Ratna-BhandagaraKatha-Sarit-Sagara by Somadeva BhattaBrihat-Katha-Manjari by KshemendraPanchatantra. Probably composed about 200 B.C.E., the great scholar Vishnu Sharma wrote these tales as a way to instruct in

morality the three sons of a great king who had proved utterly resistant to the pursuit of knowledge until then.Hitopadesha

B. Poetry (kavyas)

These are highly refined compositions in verse, prose, or a combination of the two.1. Famous works in verseRaghuvamsa and Kumara-sambhava by Kalidasa, the greatest in his category.Kiratarjuniya by BharaviShisupalavadha by MaghaNaishadha by Sri Harsha2. Famous works in proseKadambari and Harshacharita by Bhattabana, the great genius in classical Sanskrit. 3. Famous works combining verse and proseChampu-RamayanaChampu-Bharata.

C. Dramas (natakas) Classical dramas in Sanskrit must embody nine moods (rasas): 1) esthetics (sringara), 2) bravery (vira), 3) compassion (karuna), 4) astonishment (adbhuta), 5) humor (hasya), 6) fear (bhayanka), 7) disgust (bibhatsa), 8) terror (raudra). It is said that only God-realized beings can write on the ninth mood, viz. peace (shanti).The best dramas are: Shakuntala by KalidasaUttara-Rama-Charita by BhavabhutiMudrarakshasa by Visakhadatta.

D. Rhethorics (alankaras) These are treatises on the perfection of speech and language, both in poetry and in prose.The best works on the subject are: Kavyaprakasha by MammataRasagangadhara by Jagannatha.

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IX. Conclusion I am immensely indebted to the profound scholarship of Swami Sivananda Saraswati, founder of the Divine Life Society, for the compilation of this section on Hinduism. As the great swami wrote, "The Shruti (Vedas) is the root; the Smritis (treatises), Itihasas (epics) and Puranas (history) are the trunk; the Agamas (manuals

of worship) and Darshanas (philosophies) are the branches; and the Subhashitas (wisdom tales), Kavyas (poetry), Natakas (dramas) and Alankaras (rhethorics) are the flowers of the tree of India's culture", showing that all spiritual writings of India have their root in the immortal Vedas

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