Sanatan Knowledge Hub

Explore the Scriptures

This page is a structured gateway to India’s primary sacred texts and philosophical schools. Click each section to expand and read concise descriptions. Each item links to pages you can later expand into full articles, translations and commentaries.

1. श्रुति — Shruti (Primary Scriptures — “Heard”)

Shruti are the authoritative revelations received by rishis — the core, timeless texts of Sanatan Dharma.

Vedas (Vedic Corpus) Rigveda • Samaveda • Yajurveda • Atharvaveda
Vedas — Overview
The four Vedas form the foundational corpus of Vedic knowledge: hymns, ritual instructions and spiritual insights that shaped later Indian thought.
Rigveda
An ancient collection of hymns (sukta) to the devas (natural and cosmic forces). Primary source of Vedic mantras and liturgy.
Samaveda
Primarily musical renditions of Rigvedic verses — forms the basis of Vedic chant and liturgical singing.
Yajurveda
Contains prose and verses for the performance of rituals and sacrificial ceremonies (yajnas); practical priestly manual.
Atharvaveda
Includes hymns, charms, and practical rites dealing with health, daily life, and folk practices alongside spiritual material.
Brahmanas & Aranyakas Ritual interpretation • Forest teachings
Brahmanas
Prose texts that explain the sacrificial rites and the symbolic meaning behind Vedic rituals. They interpret the Vedic mantras and procedures.
Aranyakas
“Forest books” bridging ritual Brahmanas and philosophical Upanishads. Intended for practitioners withdrawing to contemplative life.
Upanishads Philosophical core — Atman, Brahman, Moksha
Upanishads
Philosophical and mystical teachings that investigate the nature of reality (Brahman), self (Atman), and liberation (Moksha). They form the spiritual heart of the Vedic tradition.

2. स्मृति — Smriti (Secondary Scriptures — “Remembered”)

Smriti texts record the traditions, law-codes, rituals and practical teachings derived from Shruti. They offer guidance for social life, ethics and applied knowledge.

Vedangas Six auxiliary disciplines to support Vedic study
Shiksha
Phonetics and pronunciation rules essential for accurate Vedic recitation.
Kalpa
Ritual manuals and procedural guidelines for sacrificial rites and domestic ceremonies.
Vyakarana
Grammar and linguistic analysis (Pāṇini’s tradition) that standardize Sanskrit language and interpretation.
Nirukta
Etymology and explanation of difficult Vedic words; early lexicography.
Chandas
Vedic poetics and study of meter (prosody) for hymns and chants.
Jyotisha
Astronomy and time-keeping for rituals; later developed into classical Jyotish (astrology).
Upavedas Applied sciences linked to Vedas
Ayurveda
Traditional system of medicine focused on balance of body, mind and doshas for health and longevity.
Dhanurveda
Science of warfare, archery and martial arts — knowledge used historically for defense and training.
Gandharvaveda
Art of music, performance and aesthetics; also concerned with rites involving music and dance.
Arthashastra
Practical treatise on statecraft, economics and governance (famous classical text attributed to Kautilya/Chanakya).
Dharma Shastras Law codes & social duties
Manusmriti
Ancient legal and ethical text attributed to Manu; discusses duties, social order and law. Historically influential though interpreted contextually today.
Yajnavalkya Smriti
A concise law code and ethical manual attributed to sage Yajnavalkya, valued for its judicial and moral instructions.
Narada Smriti
A collection dealing with procedural law, judicial practice and social regulations used in classical times.
Itihasas Epic Histories with moral teaching
Ramayana
Epic of Rama; narrative of duty (dharma), devotion and ideal conduct — a moral and social exemplar.
Mahabharata (including Bhagavad Gita)
Grand epic of family, duty and war, containing the Bhagavad Gita — a core spiritual dialogue on duty, action and devotion.
Puranas Stories, cosmology, genealogies — 18 Mahapuranas
Puranas — Overview
Mythic narratives, cosmology, deity histories and moral teachings organized for accessibility; traditionally eighteen major Puranas are recognized.
List of 18 Mahapuranas
Brahma Purana · Padma Purana · Vishnu Purana · Shiva Purana · Bhagavata Purana · Narada Purana · Markandeya Purana · Agni Purana · Bhavishya Purana · Brahmavaivarta Purana · Linga Purana · Varaha Purana · Skanda Purana · Vamana Purana · Kurma Purana · Matsya Purana · Garuda Purana · Brahmanda Purana
How to approach Puranas
Use them for cosmology, stories of gods and sages, and ethical lessons — while reading discerningly for historical versus allegorical content.

3. दर्शन — Darshanas (Philosophical Schools)

Darshanas are organized systems of thought offering methods to analyze reality, mind and liberation. They form the classical philosophical map of Sanatan thought.

Nyaya

System of logic and epistemology; provides tools for correct reasoning, debate and valid knowledge (pramana theory).

Vaisheshika

Atomistic metaphysics — categorizes reality into substances, qualities and actions; closely allied with Nyaya in classical texts.

Sankhya

Cosmological dualism between Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter); enumerates the principles (tattvas) of creation.

Yoga

Practical path of discipline, meditation and ethical living (as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras) to still the mind and realize the self.

Purva Mimamsa

Focus on Vedic ritual exegesis, the authority of the Vedas and correct performance of duties (dharma through action).

Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta)

Philosophy of ultimate reality and liberation — various schools (Advaita, Vishishtadvaita, Dvaita) interpret the Upanishads differently.

4. अन्य ग्रंथ — Other Granthas & Commentaries

Later scriptures, temple traditions, tantras and commentarial literature that support practice, devotion and interpretation.

Agamas & Tantras
Agamas & Tantras
Scriptural sources for temple worship, ritual procedures, and esoteric practices; influential in Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakta traditions.
Bhasyas (Commentaries)
Bhasyas & Commentaries
Classical commentaries (bhasyas) by great acharyas explain the sutras, Upanishads and Gita — essential for advanced study and doctrinal clarity.
Stotras & Kavyas (Devotional Hymns & Poems)
Stotras & Kavyas
Devotional hymns (stotras), lyrical poems and epics that cultivate bhakti (devotion) and cultural expression — examples include many regional works and saint-poets.

How to navigate this Knowledge Hub

Start Here — Shruti

Begin with the Upanishads and a brief overview of the Vedas. These are the philosophical core and provide the lens to read later texts.

Read Contextually — Smriti

Use Dharma Shastras, Puranas and Itihasas for practical and cultural contexts — read them as sources of moral teaching and social tradition.

Compare Darshanas

Explore different philosophical schools to see how they interpret core ideas like self, duty and liberation.

Practice & Apply

Use Agamas, Stotras and selected Upavedas (Ayurveda, Yoga) to apply wisdom in daily life — health, rituals and meditation.

Tip: Each item above can become a dedicated page — with translations, key verses, trusted commentaries, suggested reading, and downloadable summaries. If you want, I can prepare the first full page (for e.g. Upanishads) next.