Sacred Texts
Over the thousands of years, texts, stories,hymns and poems are passed on from generation to generation these compiled into the sacred texts known as the Vedas as well as other scriptures. These texts are referred to as the Shastras, there are two types of sacred writings in the Hindu scriptures: Shruti (heard) and Smriti (memorized)
Shruti refers to the habit of ancient Hindu saints who lived a solitary life in the woods, where they developed a consciousness that enabled them to hear the truths of the universe. Shruti literature consist of two parts: The Vedas and the Upanishads. Smirti literature refers to 'memorized' or 'remembered' poetry and epics. They are more popular among Hindus because it is easier to understand and it explains universal truths through symbolism and mythology. The three most important Smirti literature are: The Bhagavad Gita, The Mahabharata and The Ramayana.
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