Sruti (श्रुति) and Smriti (स्मृति) are two important categories of sacred texts in Hinduism, representing different modes of knowledge transmission:
Sruti:
* Meaning: "That which is heard"
* Source: Considered to be directly revealed by God or the divine, not composed by humans.
* Content: Primarily comprises the Vedas (including the Upanishads, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Samhitas), which are considered the ultimate source of knowledge and authority in Hinduism.
* Examples: Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda, Upanishads.
* Character: Eternal, infallible, and beyond human interpretation.
Smriti:
* Meaning: "That which is remembered"
* Source: Composed by human sages and scholars based on their understanding of the Sruti.
* Content: Includes various texts like the epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata), Puranas, Dharma Shastras (like Manu Smriti), and other philosophical and devotional texts.
* Examples: Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Manu Smriti, Yoga Sutras.
* Character: While considered authoritative, they are open to interpretation and can be debated.
Key Differences:
* Origin: Sruti is divine revelation, while Smriti is humanly composed.
* Authority: Sruti holds ultimate authority, while Smriti is secondary and can be debated.
* Content: Sruti focuses on rituals, cosmology, and philosophical principles, while Smriti deals with law, ethics, social practices, and stories.
* Interpretation: Sruti is considered beyond human interpretation, while Smriti is open to different interpretations.
Relationship:
Smriti is considered to be a continuation and elaboration of Sruti. While Sruti provides the foundation, Smriti offers practical guidance and interpretation for applying those principles to daily life. They are not seen as conflicting but as complementary.
In Summary:
Sruti and Smriti represent two distinct modes of knowledge transmission in Hinduism, with Sruti being the ultimate authority and Smriti providing practical application and interpretation. Both are crucial for understanding the vast spectrum of Hindu thought and practice.