Shruti and smitri texts

Question 1

What are shruti texts?

Answer 1

That which is heard, texts which are divine in origin and were revealed to the rishis by the gods, this includes the vedas.

Question 2

What are smitri texts?

Answer 2

That which is remembered, less authoritative texts of human origin such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Puranas.

Question 3

Why is it difficult to categorize the Bhagavad Gita?

Answer 3

Some say it is shruti as it is a conversation between Arjuna and a god. Others say it is smitri as it was based on historical events remembered by man and that its details change with every retelling, it is also part of the Mahabharata, which is smitri.

Question 4

What is the Mahabharata?

Answer 4

History of greater India, it has been handed down over 1000s of years and with 110,000 verses, it is the longest poem in the world. It focuses on the political tension between the pandavas and kauravas.

Question 5

What is the Ramayana?

Answer 5

Sanskrit epic telling the story of lord Rama, it depicts relationships, ideal characters and the triumph of good over evil.

Question 6

What are the Puranas?

Answer 6

Ancient texts that deal with the trimurti, creation, rules for living and popular myths. They contain stories about the trimurti that people can relate to.

Question 7

Give four reasons why shruti texts are more important

Answer 7

1. Infallible words of god and are the greatest authority. 2. Used during worship and ceremonies. 3. The basis of the hindu religion. 4. Vivekananda- ‘therein lies strength enough to invigorate the whole world.’

Question 8

Give three reasons why shruti texts are less important

Answer 8

1. Only accessible to high castes. 2. Open to interpretation by different scholars. 3. Their authenticity as the words of the gods is doubtful and they will have changed over the years.

Question 9

Give four reason why the smitri texts are more important

Answer 9

1. Puranas focus on personalities, making abstract ideas easier for laymen to understand. 2. They are essential tools for nurturing love for god. 3. Law books are practical and set out how people should live. 4. Epics offer moral lessons in storybook format, they make Hinduism accessible to all and can be presented in a range of formats.

Question 10

Give four reasons why the smitri texts are less important

Answer 10

1. Are man made and fallible. 2. To be ignored if they contradict shruti texts. 3. If the Puranas are accepted as literal truths, they conflict rationality and science. 4. They are only relevant in the context in which they were written and the laws of Manu seem outdated.