Similarly, there is no branch of knowledge that has been left uninvestigated in
the scriptures like veda-s (वेद / veda) and upanishad-s (उपनिश्जद् / upaniShad). Each
branch of knowledge has been
thoroughly investigated, brought to its logical undeniable conclusion and
systematically documented for the benefit of entire mankind.
In this section we will present our precious inheritance in its logical
classification, along with brief introduction to each.
Sanskrit Scripture Classification
|
सृति - sRRiti
This includes the philosophical aspect of the scriptures. The vedic text
used to be propagated from one generation to the next as oral teaching or
recitation. Hence the word सृति (sRRiti) literally meaning "which has been
heard". Each veda contains different sections and chapters. The classification
represents the same.
|
-
वेद (ऋक्, यजुर्, साम, अथर्व)
veda (RRik, yajur, saama, atharva)
#1
-
कर्मकाण्ड - karmakaaNDa
-
संहिता - sa.nhitaa
-
ब्राह्मण - braahmaNa
-
ज्ञानकाण्ड - dnyaanakaaNDa
-
आरण्यक - aaraNyaka
-
उपनिषत् - upaniShat #2
| major upaniShat-s |
minor upaniShat-s |
-
ईशावास्योपनिषत्
iishaavaasyopaniShat
-
केनोपनिषत्
kenopaniShat
-
कठोपनिषत्
kaThopaniShat
-
प्रश्नोपनोषत्
prashnopaniShat
-
मुण्डकोपनिषत्
muNDakopaniShat
-
माण्डूक्योपनिषत्
maaNDuukyopaniShat
-
तैत्तिरीयोपनिषत्
taitiriiyopaniShat
-
ऐतरेयोपनिषत्
aitareyopaniShat
-
छान्दोग्योपनिषत्
chhaandogyopaniShat
-
कैव्यल्योपनिषत्
kaivalyopaniShat
-
बृहदारण्यकोपनिषत्
bRRihadaaraNyakopaniShat
|
-
ब्रह्मोपनिषत्
brahmopaniShat
-
शेताश्वतर
shvetaashvatara
-
हंसोपनिषत्
ha.nsopaniShat
-
नारायणोपनिषत्
naaraayaNopaniShat
-
मान्त्रिकोपनिषत्
maantrikopaniShat
-
कालाग्निरुद्रोपनिषत्
kaalaagnirudropaniShat
-
निर्वाणोपनिषत्
nirvaaNopaniShat
-
सूर्योपनिषत्
suuryopaniShat
-
All 108 Upanishat-s
|
Notes:
#1. Each veda contains two sections कर्मकाण्ड (karmakaaNDa) and ज्ञानकाण्ड (dnyaanakaaNDa) literally
meaning the ritual section and knowledge section. कर्मकाण्ड (karmakaaNDa) is again
devided as संहिता (sa.nhitaa) and ब्राह्मण (braahmaNa) containing prayers and
ritualistic prescriptions respectively. ज्ञानकाण्ड (dnyaanakaaNDa) contains the
philosophical teachings and guidelines for a spiritual life. It also
contains उपनिषत् (upaniShat) which is the essence of the entire vedic text.
#2. Of the 108 Upanishats accepted as authentic, Shankaryacharya considered
11 as important and commented on 10 of those. These are known as major, and the
rest are known as minor upaniShat-s.
|
स्मृति - smRRiti
This includes the practical aspect of the scriptures.
स्मृति (smRRiti) literally meaning "which is
to be remembered" includes teachings on different aspects like
science, geometry, medicine etc.
|
-
उपवेद - upaveda
#3
-
आयुर्वेद
aayurveda
-
धनुर्वेद
dhanurveda
-
गान्धर्ववेद
gaandarvaveda
-
स्तापथ्य-शास्त्र
staapathya-shaastra
|
-
वेदाङ्ग - vedaaN^ga
#4
-
शिक्षा
shikshaa
-
कल्प
kalpa
-
व्याकरण
vyaakaraNa
-
निरुक्त
nirukta
-
छन्द
chhanda
-
ज्योतिश
jyotisha
|
-
वेद-उपाङ्ग - veda-upaaN^ga
#5
-
न्याय
nyaaya
-
वैसेशिक
vaiseshika
-
सांख्य
saa.nkhya
-
योग
yoga
-
मिमांसा
mimaa.nsa
-
वेदान्त
vedaanta
|
-
स्मृति - smRRiti
#6
-
manu-smRRiti
मनु-स्मृति
-
18 smRRiti-s
१८ स्मृति
-
इतिहास - itihaasa
#7
-
रामायण
raamaayaNa
-
महाभारत
mahaabhaarata
|
-
पुराण - puraaNa
#8
-
महा-पुराण - mahaa-puraaNa - Main Purana-s
| ब्रह्म - brahma |
वैष्णव - vaiShNava |
शैव - shaiva |
-
ब्रह्मपुराणम्
brahmapuraaNam
-
ब्रह्माण्डपुराणम्
brahmaaNDapuraaNam
-
ब्रह्मवैवर्तपुराणम्
brahmavaivartapuraaNam
-
मार्कण्डेयपुराणम्
maarkaNDeyapuraaNam
-
भविष्यपुराणम्
bhaviShyapuraaNam
-
वामनपुराणम्
vaamanapuraaNam
|
-
विष्णुपुराणम्
viShNupuraaNam
-
नारदीयपुराणम्
naaradiiyapuraaNam
-
भागवतपुराणम्
bhaagavatapuraaNam
-
गरुडपुराणम्
garuDapuraaNam
-
पद्मपुराणम्
padmapuraaNam
-
वराहपुराणम्
varaahapuraaNam
|
-
मत्स्यपुराणम्
matsyapuraaNam
-
कूर्मपुराणम्
kuurmapuraaNam
-
लिङ्गपुराणम्
liN^gapuraaNam
-
वायुपुराणम्
vaayupuraaNam
-
स्कान्दपुराणम्
skaandapuraaNam
-
अग्निपुराणम्
agnipuraaNam
|
-
उप-पुराण - upa-puraaNa - Other Purana-s
-
सन्नत्कुमार
sanatkumaara
-
नरसिंहम्
narasimha
-
naaradiya
-
शिव
shiva
-
दुर्वाशा
durvaasha
-
कपिल
kapila
|
-
वामन
vaamana
-
औसासन
ousaasana
-
वरुण
varuna
-
कालिका
kalika
-
भार्गव
bhaargava
-
नन्दि
nandi
|
-
सौर
soura
-
शाम्ब
saamba
-
महेश्वर
maheshvara
-
परासर
paraasara
-
गणेश
gaNesha
-
वसिष्ठ
vasiShTha
|
Notes:
#3. Each veda has one उपवेद (upaveda) attached to it and covers practical
aspects relevant to the specific veda. आयुर्वेद (aayurveda) or health science,
धनुर्वेद (dhanurveda) or military science, गान्धर्ववेद (gaandarvaveda)
or art and science of music, and स्तापथ्य-शास्त्र (staapathya-shaastra) or
science of mechanics and construction are associated to ऋक्वेद, यजुर्वेद,
सामवेद, अथर्ववेद (RRikveda, yajurveda, saamaveda, atharvaveda) respectively.
#4. वेदाङ्ग (vedaaN^ga) are six branches of knowledge essential for the
understanding of the teachings of the veda-s. As vedic teachings
essentially followed an oral tradition, these studies ensured the original
intent and meaning of the veda-s remained same and any error in the oral
teachings easily identified and corrected.
शिक्षा (shikshaa), कल्प (kalpa), व्याकरण (vyaakaraNa),
निरुक्त (nirukta), छन्द (chhanda) and ज्योतिश (jyotisha) cover
phonetics, ritual, grammar, etymology,
prosody, and astronomy respectively.
#5. वेद-उपाङ्ग (veda-upaaN^ga) are six branches of philosophy which are part of
vedic teaching.
#6. स्मृति (smRRiti) or धर्म-शास्त्र (dharma-shaastra) are the rules of conduct
prescribed for a righteous life. These rules cater to the need of every
one starting from the intellectuals to the masses, the basic intent
being to lead a spiritual path. Of these मनु-स्मृति (manu-smRRiti) is the
foundation of Hindu Law.
#7. इतिहास (itihaasa) is based on historical events, centering around
role-model who lives a rightous life and inspires all to follow such
path.
रामायण (raamaayaNa) and महाभारत (mahaabhaarata) are the two epics which
teach the core of philosophy through the lives of श्रीराम (shriiraama) and
श्रीकृष्ण (shriikRRIShNa).
#8. पुराण (puraaNa) teaches the phylosophical essence of the scriptures
through stories catering to the emotional and spiritual needs of the
mass, and shows the path of a righteous life. The stories are based on
historical and mythological events.
There are total 64 important puraNa-s, of which 18 are considered as
main puraaNa-s classified under three groups viz., ब्रह्म (brahma),
वैष्णव (vaiShNava) and शैव (shaiva).
|
|
Sanskrit Literature Classification
|
श्रव्य-काव्य
shravya-kaavya
Any composition that can be heard or read only.
|
-
पद्य-काव्य - padya-kaavya
#9
-
महा-काव्य - mahaa-kaavya
#10
-
खण्ड-काव्य - khaNDa-kaavya
#11
-
मुक्तक - muktaka
#12
-
गद्य-काव्य - gadya-kaavya
#13
-
चम्पु-काव्य - champu-kaavya
#14
Notes:
#9. पद्य-काव्य (padya-kaavya) or poetry is a composition in which each stanza
is made up of four quarters and follows specific rules of meter.
#10. Of the
different poetic compositions महा-काव्य (mahaa-kaavya) is the most advanced one. It
is composed around a great personality and is of considerable length. Words used
are free from any vulgarity and of profound thought. It contains different
aspects like counseling, messengers, journey and war etc. It may contain different
sceneries like city, ocean, hill, season, sunrise, sunset, separation and union of
lovers and marriage etc.
#11. खण्ड-काव्य (khaNDa-kaavya) can have some characteristics of a
महा-काव्य (mahaa-kaavya).
#12. मुक्तक (muktaka) is an independent verse dealing with one
specific aspect of life. The innumerable number of सुभाषितम् (subhaaShitam) available in
Sanskrit literature all fall under this category.
#13. गद्य-काव्य (gadya-kaavya) or story does not follow any specific rule for composition
and is not constrained by syllable and quarter etc.
#14. चम्पु-काव्य (champu-kaavya) is a special type of composition where it is a
combination of पद्य-काव्य (padya-kaavya) and गद्य-काव्य (gadya-kaavya).
|
दृश्य-काव्य
dRRishya-kaavya
Any composition that can be heard, read and seen as well. This includes any
composition that can be performed on a stage.
|
-
रूपक - ruupaka
#15
-
नाटकम्
naaTakam
-
प्रकरणम्
prakaraNam
-
भाणः
bhaaNaH
-
प्रहसनम्
prahasanam
-
डिमः
DimaH
-
व्यायोगः
vyaayogaH
-
समवकारः
samavakaaraH
-
वीथी
viithii
-
अङ्क
aN^ka
-
ईहामृगः
ihaamRRigaH
|
-
uparuupaka
#16
-
नाटिका
naaTikaa
-
त्रोटकम्
troTakam
-
गोष्ठी
goShThii
-
सट्टकम्
saTTakam
-
नाट्यरासकम्
naaTyaraasakam
-
संलापकम्
sa.nlaapakam
-
श्रीगदितम्
shriigaditam
-
शिल्पकम्
shilpakam
-
विलासिका
vilaasikaa
-
दुर्मल्लिका
durmallikaa
-
प्रकरणी
prakaraNii
-
हल्लीश
halliisha
-
भाणिक
bhaaNika
-
प्रस्थान
prasthaana
-
उल्लप्य
ullapya
-
काव्य
kaavya
-
प्रेङ्क्षणम्
preN^kshaNam
-
रासकम्
raasakam
|
|
#15, #16. Any composition that can be performed on a stage
is categorised either as रूपक (ruupaka) or उपरूपक (uparuupaka). Each
is again sub-categorised into a specific type of composition based
on the contents, plot, number of actors, type of actors,
emotions expressed etc.
|
|
|
108 Upanishats - १०८ उपनिषत्
(Listed in मुक्तिकोपनिषत् / muktikopaniShat)
|
उपनिषत्
upaniShat |
वेद
veda |
|
उपनिषत्
upaniShat |
वेद
veda |
|
उपनिषत्
upaniShat |
वेद
veda |
ईशावास्य
iishaavaasya |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
|
केन
kena |
साम
saama |
|
कथा
kathaa |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
प्रश्न
prashna |
अथर्व
atharva |
|
मुण्डक
muNDaka |
अथर्व
atharva |
|
माण्डुक्य
maaNDukya |
अथर्व
atharva
|
तैत्तरीय
taittariiya |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
ऐतरेय
aitareya |
ऋक्
RRik
|
|
छान्दोग्य
chhandogya |
साम
saama |
बृहदारण्यक
bRRihadaaraNyaka |
यजुर्
yajur
|
|
ब्रह्म
brahma |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
कैवल्य
kaivalya |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
जाविल
jaavila |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
|
श्वेताश्वतर
shvetashvatara |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
हंस
ha.nsa |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
आरुणेय
aaruNeya |
साम
saama
|
|
गर्भ
garbha |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
नारायण
naaraayaNa |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
परमहंस
paramaha.nsa |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
|
अमॄत-विन्दु
amRRita-vindu |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
अमृत-नाद
amRRita-naada |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
अथर्व-शिर
atharva-shira |
अथर्व
atharva |
|
अथर्व-शिख
atharva-shikha |
अथर्व
atharva |
|
बहृच
bahRRicha |
ऋक्
RRik |
मैत्रायणि
maitraayaNi |
साम
saama
|
|
कौषीताकि
kauShiitaaki |
ऋक्
RRik
|
|
बृहज्जावाल
bRRihajjaavaala |
अथर्व
atharva |
नृसिंहतापनी
nRRisi.nhataapanii |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
कालाग्निरुद्र
kaalaagnirudra |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
मैत्रेयि
maitreyi |
साम
saama |
सुवाल
suvaala |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
|
क्षुरिक
kshurika |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
मान्त्रिक
maantrika |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
सर्व-सार
sarva-saara |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
निरालम्ब
niraalamba |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
|
शुक-रहस्य
shuka-rahasya |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
वज्र-सूचि
vajra-suuchi
|
साम
saama
|
|
तेजो-विन्दु
tejo-vindu |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
नाद-विन्दु
naada-vindu |
ऋक्
RRik
|
ध्यान-विन्दु
dhyaana-vindu |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
ब्रह्मविद्या
brahmavidyaa |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
|
योगतत्त्व
yogatattva |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
आत्मवोध
aatmavodha |
ऋक्
RRik
|
|
परिव्रात
parivraata |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
त्रि-षिखि
tri-Shikhi |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
सीता
siitaa |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
योगचूडामणि
yogachuuDaamaNi |
साम
saama
|
|
निर्वाण
nirvaaNa |
ऋक्
RRik |
मण्डलब्राह्मण
maNDalabraahmaNa |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
|
दक्षिणमूर्ति
dakshiNamuurti |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
शरभ
sharabha |
अथर्व
atharva
|
स्कन्द
skanda |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
महानारायण
mahaanaaraayaNa |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
अद्वयतारक
advayataaraka |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
रामरहस्य
raamarahasya |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
रामतापणी
raamataapaNii |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
वासुदेव
vaasudeva |
साम
saama
|
मुद्गल
mudgala |
ऋक्
RRik
|
|
शाण्डिल्य
shaaNDilya |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
पैंगल
pai.ngala |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
भिक्षुक
bhikshuka |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
|
महत
mahata |
साम
saama
|
|
शारीरक
shaariiraka |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
योगशिखा
yogashikhaa |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
तुरीयातीत
turiiyaatiita |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
|
संन्यास
sa.nnyaasa |
साम
saama
|
परमहंस-परिव्राजक
paramaha.nsa-parivraajaka |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
अक्षमालिक
akshamaalika |
ऋक्
RRik
|
|
अव्यक्त
avyakta |
साम
saama
|
एकाक्षर
ekaakshara |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
अन्नपूर्ण
annapuurNa |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
सूर्य
suurya |
अथर्व
atharva
|
अक्षि
akshi |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
अध्यात्मा
adhyaatmaa |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
|
कुण्डिक
kuNDika |
साम
saama
|
सावित्रि
saavitri |
साम
saama
|
|
आत्मा
aatmaa |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
पाशुपत
paashupata |
अथर्व
atharva
|
परंब्रह्म
para.nbrahma |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
अवधूत
avadhuuta |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
त्रिपुरातपनि
tripuraatapani |
अथर्व
atharva
|
देवि
devi |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
त्रिपुर
tripura |
ऋक्
RRik
|
|
कठरुद्र
kaTharudra |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
भावन
bhaavana |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
रुद्र-हृदय
rudra-hRRidaya |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
योग-कुण्डलिनि
yoga-kuNDalini |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
भस्म
bhasma |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
रुद्राक्ष्य
rudraakshya |
साम
saama
|
|
गणपति
gaNapati |
अथर्व
atharva
|
दर्शन
darshana |
साम
saama
|
|
तारसार
taarasaara |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
|
महावाक्य
mahaavaakya |
अथर्व
atharva
|
पञ्च-ब्रह्म
paJNcha-brahma |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
प्राणाग्नि-होत्र
praaNaagni-hotra |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
गोपाल-तपणि
gopaala-tapaNi |
अथर्व
atharva
|
कृष्ण
kRRiShNa |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
याज्ञवल्क्य
jaadnyavalkya |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
|
वराह
varaaha |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
शात्यायनि
shaatyaayani |
यजुर् (शुक्ल)
yajur (shukla) |
|
हयग्रीव
hayagriiva |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
दत्तात्रेय
dattatreya |
अथर्व
atharva
|
गारुड
gaaruDa |
अथर्व
atharva
|
|
कलि-सण्टारण
kaali-saNTaaraNa |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
जाबाल
jaabaala |
साम
saama
|
सौभाग्य
saubhaagya |
ऋक्
RRik
|
|
सरस्वती-रहस्य
sarasvatii-rahasya |
यजुर् (कॄष्ण)
yajur (kRRIShNa) |
|
मुक्तिक
muktika |
यजुर्
yajur
|