Indian Literature

Vedic Literature

• The Vedic literature refers to the formation of literature during the Vedic period i.e. 1500 BCE to 500 BCE. Broadly, in terms of writing, Vedic literature is classified as – Shruti literature and Smriti literature.

1. Shruti Literature: The word ‘Shruti’ means ‘to hear’ and describes the sacred texts which comprise of Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, & Upanishads.
2. Smriti Literature: The word ‘Smriti’ literally means to be remembered and which is supplementary and may change over time. Smriti Literature is the entire body of the post-Vedic Classical Sanskrit literature and consists of Vedanga, Shad darsana, Puranas, Itihasa, Upveda, Tantras, Agamas, ....