Sometimes the
subject matter of the whole Veda is divided into -
- Karma - Kanda
- Upasana-Kanda
- Jnana Kanda.
The first deals with rituals, the second with
worship or meditation and
the third with the highest knowledge. Next in importance to the
Sruti is the Smrti which
collectively means the secondary scriptures. These derive their authority from the
Sruti,
because their object is to expand and exemplify the principles of the Veda.
They consist of
- Smrtis or codes of law
- Itihasas or epics
- Puranas or chronicles and legends
- Agamas or manuals of worship
- Darsanas or
schools of philosophy.
The laws for regulating Hindu society from time to time are
codified in the so-called Smrtis. The most important of our law-
givens are Manu,
Yajnavalkya and Parasara. They give detailed instructions, according to the
conditions of
the time, to all classes of men regarding their duties in life. Hence their codes of laws
are known as Dharma sastras. |
