Smriti Literature in Hinduism (Sanskrit: स्मृति, IAST: Smṛti) The smṛti texts are a body of Hindu texts usually attributed to an author, traditionally written down, in contrast to Śrutis (the Vedic literature) considered authorless, that were transmitted verbally across the generations and fixed.[1]Smriti is a derivative secondary work and is considered less authoritative than Sruti in Hinduism, except in the Mimamsa school of Hindu philosophy.[2][3][4] The authority of smriti accepted by orthodox schools is derived from that of shruti, on which it is based.[5][6]
The Smrti literature is a corpus of diverse varied texts.[2] This corpus includes, but is not limited to the six Vedāngas (the auxiliary sciences in the Vedas), the epics (the Mahābhārata and Rāmāyana), the Dharmasūtras and Dharmaśāstras (or Smritiśāstras), the Arthasaśāstras, the Purānas, the Kāvya or poetical literature, extensive Bhasyas (reviews and commentaries on Shrutis and non-Shruti texts), and numerous Nibandhas (digests) covering politics, ethics (Nitisastras),[7] culture, arts and society.[8][9]
Each Smriti text exists in many versions, with many different readings.[1] Smritis were considered fluid and freely rewritten by anyone in ancient and medieval Hindu tradition.[1][3]
^ abcWendy Doniger O'Flaherty (1988), Textual Sources for the Study of Hinduism, Manchester University Press, ISBN0-7190-1867-6, pages 2-3
^ abJames Lochtefeld (2002), "Smrti", The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 2: N–Z, Rosen Publishing, ISBN978-0823931798, page 656-657
^ abSheldon Pollock (2011), Boundaries, Dynamics and Construction of Traditions in South Asia (Editor: Federico Squarcini), Anthem, ISBN978-0857284303, pages 41-58
^Pollock, Sheldon (2012). "The Revelation of Tradition: śruti, smrti, and the Sanskrit Discourse of Power". In Squarcini, Federico (ed.). Boundaries, Dynamics And Construction Of Traditions In South Asia. London: Anthem Press. pp. 41–62. doi:10.7135/upo9781843313977.003. ISBN978-1-84331-397-7.
^Cite error: The named reference monierwilliams was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Purushottama Bilimoria (2011), The idea of Hindu law, Journal of Oriental Society of Australia, Vol. 43, pages 103-130
^Roy Perrett (1998), Hindu Ethics: A Philosophical Study, University of Hawaii Press, ISBN978-0824820855, pages 16-18