The Veda’s, Purana’s, Upanishads, Itahasas and other Important Hindu Scriptures

Introduction

This article intends to break down the structure of all Hindu scriptures. There is a definitive structure which most who consider themselves educated in Sanatan Dharma do not know and this article intends to draw the lines (where applicable) to help anyone understand.

Though some meanings and interpretations may defer, the underline knowledge, sources and revelations contained within these scriptures must be preserved so as to not taint Sanatan Dharma with frozen in time, dogma based, or blind believe.

What this means is that the information contained within these scriptures are firstly core principles and values or truths which are constant while some information is intended to be adapted and applied according to the present time.

That being said, it is of utmost importance that those that follow Sanatan Dharma take the time to read some of the scriptures they deem important in their lives AND seek commentary or guidance from gurus/pundits/swamis on what you have read. We try our best to make this material available for you to download for free in English.

Realization dawns upon the mind that actively seeks to remove their ignorance with effort.

The Veda’s

History

For thousands of years sages and rishis used to recite and pass down knowledge orally and then around 12 000 – 6 000 BCE according to great yogis and scholars (possibly older), the son of the writer, sage Parashara, Krishna Dvaipayana, wrote and compiled The Veda’s. This makes it the oldest known scripture. It is worth mentioning that though it was written at this time, the information contained within them were realized for possibly thousands of years before that.

Krishna Dvaipayana was given the title of Veda Vyasa for his divine work.

Veda translates to knowledge and Vyasa to compiler in Sanskrit.

The day Guru Purnima is dedicated to Krishna Dvaipayana for bringing to light this ancient knowledge.

Content of The Veda’s

The Veda’s have no author or messiah and originates from God as heard or perceived by great rishis and sages. The Veda’s are therefore referred to as Shruti which means “as heard” in Sanskrit.

Apaurusheya meaning “not man made” from English to Sanskrit, also describes the information in the Veda’s. As opposed to created knowledge made by man like survival tools, linguistics tools, sensory tools and even modern-day tools like economics, politics and so on.

In other words, The Veda’s contain perceived knowledge that were realized by sages and rishis through deep meditation and elevated consciousness.

The Veda’s are classified into 4 sections:

  • The Rig Veda
  • The Yajur Veda
  • The Sama Veda
  • The Atharva Veda

The Rig Veda

This is the oldest of the 4 Veda’s and contains Sanskrit hymns and mantras which praise the properties of the various natural elements and forces. This knowledge was realized by sages and rishis whose oneness, deep observation and meditation began to amplify their understanding of the world around them.

The Yajur Veda

Yajur meaning ritual or practice in Sanskrit contains knowledge about rituals and practices for the conducive to one’s well-being in the form of mantras and verses. Instructions about the different ceremonies and acts normally performed by Hindus can be found in the Yajur Veda. It also shares some hymns with the Rig Veda as there are some overlapping knowledge.

The Sama Veda

The Sama Veda is a collection of melodies and chants. Sometimes this Veda is referred to the Book of Songs or Veda of Chants. Sama meaning a gentle song in Sanskrit compliments the Rig Veda in that it puts a melodic tune to the realized knowledge in the Rig Veda. This Veda also emphasises the power of sound in the form of music and chanting.

The Atharva Veda

This Veda is unique and has less in common with all the other Veda’s. Atharvan, meaning priest is how this Veda’s name was derived. It contains directions, mantras, chants, and prayers to handle life on a more physical level. Dealing with physical ailments, discomforts, yoga, tantra and breathing techniques are just some of the realized knowledge that can be found in the Atharva Veda.

Deeper into the Contents of The Veda’s

Each of the above-mentioned Veda can be further classified into Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka and Upanishads.

Samhita

These are the oldest part of the Veda’s comprising of mantras and hymns. Samhita translates to compilation from Sanskrit as this part of the Veda’s are a collection of realized knowledge.

Brahmana

Later followed commentaries by brahmins and priests on the Samhita. The meanings, sacrifices, rituals, and melodies where extrapolated to form the Brahmanas. They form a core part of the Veda’s to explain the mantras and hymns.

Aranyaka

This is the latter part of the Brahmanas but can be identified separately for the purpose of classification. Aranyaka meaning “the forest” from Sanskrit is knowledge that is intended for those that seek a deeper understanding through intensive practices, mainly hermits and students that have removed themselves from society to live in the forest, hence the name. Those that are uninitiated or not in the right stage of their life could find this content harmful.

It is worth noting that not all mantras and hymns have respective Aranyaka’s though all mantras and hymns do have Brahmanas.

Upanishads

Upanishads are the latest part of the Veda’s that focuses strongly on the philosophical and spiritual interpretations. Upanishads roughly translate to “site near” or “sit next to” in reference to a student sitting next to a guru. It is also be referred to Vedanta which means “end of the Veda’s”.

The Upanishads contain knowledge about the essence of life, the nature of things, creation and destruction of the universe, and views about brahma (God or Paramathma) and the atman.

Karma Kanda and Jnana Kanda

These 2 parts are not a separate section but rather another way of classifying the Brahmana’s and Upanishads. These can also be considered pathways one can take in life but following one or the other or both. Karma Kanda (path of action) refers to the portion of the content related to yajna’s, action and ritualistic portions of the Veda’s.

While Jnana Kanda  (path of knowledge) refers to the self-realization or spiritual realization through self-enquiry, practice, and study. Both these paths of life are not independent roads on which one travels but can be simultaneously or individually pursued.

The Purana’s

Introduction

The Puranas are post-Vedic text or written after the Veda’s. Each Purana has multiple authors and many unknown authors as many text have been lost due to various reasons. Purana, the Sanskrit word means “of ancient times” and its purpose was to convey the realized universal knowledge of great sages to all others. This came in the form intriguing stories of history, folk lore, legends, and myths.

The Purana’s therefore is a smriti which means “that which is remembered” or “to remember” and formed by the human mind as opposed to shruti which is heard and comes from the divine. Shruti, being the more authoritative of the two can be thought of as the root of smriti knowledge in Purana’s.

Contents of the Puranas

The Puranas are a reflection of the Veda’s in the form of great epics and stories understood by masses who would otherwise not seek the knowledge of the Veda’s directly.

There are 18 Maha Purana’s (major) which are considered the most important Purana’s. Upapurana’s are less authoritative and referred to as minor Purana’s.

Maha Purana’s (19 Maha Purana’s)

During research of vast amount of text and sources, most state that there are 18 Maha Purana’s (Major) while all other Purana’s are Upa Purana’s (minor). By taking all of the different lists, 16 Maha Purana’s where common in all and 3 where mixed (either Major or Minor).

It is also important to note the following facts about each Purana:

  • Different scholars may include or exclude certain text from each Purana. This has been the case for hundreds of years.
  • Over the centuries, scholars/sages have also added to the Purana’s.
  • There where much more content within the Puranas which have been lost due mainly to Arab and British invasions. Texts have also been lost due to the lack of reproduction of text out of secrecy and fear and eventually lost.
  • All Puranic texts are smriti (manifested from the human mind).
  • From all existing Puranic texts that exist today, there are multiple interpretations of each.

Given all of the above, the Puranic text remain an invaluable source of knowledge for every person.

3 Maha or Upa Purana’s

These three Purana’s have been classified as Maha or Upa Purana depending on your source.

  1. Bhavishya Purana (भविष्य पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Bhavishyat Purana
    • English Translation: The Purana of Future Events
    • Description: An intriguing text predicting future events and emphasizing righteous conduct (dharma). It explores cosmology, mythology, and the cycles of time, providing insights into the unfolding of destiny.
  2. Brahmanda Purana (ब्रह्माण्ड पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Brahmanda Puranam
    • English Translation: The Purana of the Cosmic Egg
    • Description: A vast Purana delving into the creation of the universe, cosmology, genealogies of deities and sages, and various legends. It explores the profound mysteries of existence.
  3. Vayu Purana (वायु पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Vayaviya Purana
    • English Translation: The Purana of the Wind God
    • Description: Devoted to Lord Shiva, it covers topics related to the wind, including cosmogony, mythology, and various legends associated with the divine force of Vayu.

16 Maha Purana’s

During research from numerous sources, all of these Purana’s have been classified as Maha Purana’s.

  1. Agni Purana (अग्नि पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Agneya Purana
    • English Translation: The Purana of Fire
    • Description: Dedicated to Lord Agni, the god of fire, this Purana encompasses cosmology, rituals, and a wide array of knowledge, including sections on medicine, astronomy, and grammar.
  2. Bhagavata Purana (भागवत पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Srimad Bhagavatam
    • English Translation: The Purana of the Supreme Personality (Worship of Lord Vishnu)
    • Description: A devotional masterpiece narrating the life and teachings of Lord Krishna. It emphasizes the path of Bhakti (devotion) and explores profound philosophical concepts.
  3. Brahma Purana (ब्रह्म पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Adi Purana (The Beginning)
    • English Translation: The Ancient Purana of Brahma (the Absolute)
    • Description: Focused on Lord Brahma, the creator deity, it covers the creation of the world and universe, genealogies, and various legends. It plays a significant role in the cosmological understanding of Hinduism.
  4. Brahmavaivarta Purana (ब्रह्मावैवर्त पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Brahmakaivarta Purana
    • English Translation: The Purana of Lord Krishna (of Brahma)
    • Description: Centres around Lord Krishna and his incarnations. Explores cosmology, rituals, and the importance of devotion, blending mythology and spiritual teachings.
  5. Garuda Purana (गरुड़ पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Garuda Puranam
    • English Translation: The Purana of Garuda (Great Bird, Eternal Carrier and Devotee of Vishnu)
    • Description: A dialogue between Lord Vishnu and Garuda, it covers topics such as cosmology, rituals, the nature of the soul, and the journey after death, providing guidance on righteous living.
  6. Kurma Purana (कूर्म पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Kurma Puranam (Second Incarnation, Tortoise)
    • English Translation: The Purana of the Tortoise Incarnation
    • Description: Describes Lord Kurma and elaborates on cosmology, detailing the cycles of creation, and various aspects of time.
  7. Linga Purana (लिंग पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Shiva Purana
    • English Translation: The Purana of the Cosmic Linga (or cosmic egg-shape symbol of Lord Shiva)
    • Description: Primarily centred around Lord Shiva, it covers the significance of the Linga, rituals, cosmology, and mythological stories associated with Shiva.
  8. Markandeya Purana (मार्कण्डेय पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Markandeya Puranam
    • English Translation: The Purana of Sage Markandeya
    • Description: Narrated by Sage Markandeya, it covers diverse topics, including cosmology, mythology, moral teachings, and the nature of reality, providing a sage’s perspective on existence.
  9. Matsya Purana (मत्स्य पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Matsya Puranam (a Fish)
    • English Translation: The Purana of the Fish Incarnation (First Incarnation of Lord Vishnu)
    • Description: Focuses on Lord Matsya, the fish incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and narrates cosmology, mythology, and moral lessons through various allegorical stories.
  10. Narada Purana (नारद पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Naradiya Purana
    • English Translation: The Purana of Sage Narada
    • Description: A dialogue between Sage Narada and Sanatkumara, covering diverse topics such as cosmology, mythology, and the duties of life.
  11. Padma Purana (पद्म पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Patala Khanda
    • English Translation: The Purana of the Lotus
    • Description: A vast compilation covering a wide range of topics, including cosmology, mythology, legends, and discussions on Dharma (righteous conduct).
  12. Shiva Purana (शिव पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Shiva Mahapuranam
    • English Translation: The Purana of Lord Shiva
    • Description: Devoted to Lord Shiva, it explores cosmology, mythology, rituals, and the essence of Shiva’s various forms and manifestations.
  13. Skanda Purana (स्कन्द पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Kartikeya Purana
    • English Translation: The Purana of Lord Skanda
    • Description: Narrates the stories of Lord Kartikeya, providing geographical information, cosmology, and insights into the worship of Skanda.
  14. Vamana Purana (वामन पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Vamana Puranam
    • English Translation: The Purana of the Dwarf Incarnation
    • Description: Focuses on Lord Vamana, exploring cosmology, mythology, and legends associated with the dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
  15. Varaha Purana (वराह पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Varaha Puranam
    • English Translation: The Purana of the Boar Incarnation
    • Description: Explores the legend of Lord Varaha, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and delves into cosmogony and various aspects of creation.
  16. Vishnu Purana (विष्णु पुराण):
    • Alternative Name: Puranaratna
    • English Translation: The Purana of Vishnu
    • Description: Centres around Lord Vishnu, covering creation, cosmology, and the genealogies of deities and sages, providing a foundational text in Hindu cosmogony.

Itahasas

These texts where created roughly in the same time period as the Purana’s. Itahasa means “so it was” or “thus it happened” which points to the nature of this text being events of the past or history rather then pure fiction. Regardless of the standpoint of the reader, everyone agrees that the principles and lessons learned are invaluable.

The two most well known Itahasa’s are the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

  1. Ramayana:
    • Alternative Names: Ramavataram, Ramakien (in Thailand)
    • English Translation: “The Journey of Rama”
    • Description: Attributed to the sage Valmiki, the Ramayana narrates the life of Prince Rama, his exile, the abduction of his wife Sita by the demon king Ravana, and Rama’s quest to rescue her. The epic explores themes of dharma (righteousness), devotion, and the triumph of good over evil.
  2. Mahabharata:
    • Alternative Names: Bharata, Vyasa Bharata
    • English Translation: “The Great Story of the Bharatas”
    • Description: Authored by the sage Vyasa, the Mahabharata is not just an epic but a vast compendium that includes the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna. The main narrative centres around the Kurukshetra War between the Pandavas and Kauravas, exploring themes of duty, righteousness, and the complexities of human nature.

Sources


We’d like to thank the following sources for most of the information in this article.


https://www.mahakavya.com
https://www.vyasaonline.com
https://www.yogapedia.com
https://www.ncertbooks.guru
https://vedicheritage.gov.in
https://ignca.gov.in
https://www.advaita-vedanta.org
https://hinduismwayoflife.com
https://www.vedantu.com
https://vedapurana.org
http://dictionary.tamilcube.com/sanskrit-dictionary.aspx
https://sanskritdictionary.com
http://vishnudut1926.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheSanskritChannel

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