About
These guides give an overview of the main texts — what each contains, how it is organised and why it matters — and link to the texts you can read on The Hindu Book: the Bhagavad Gita, the Durga Saptashati from the Markandeya Purana, the Sundar Kand, the Vishnu Sahasranama, Vedic suktas and many stotras.
The two broad kinds are shruti, "what was heard" — the revealed Vedas and Upanishads — and smriti, "what is remembered" — the epics, Puranas, law books and devotional literature.
Guides to the scriptures
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Shruti and Smriti श्रुति एवं स्मृति
The two kinds of Hindu scripture — revealed and remembered
Frequently asked questions
What is the holy book of Hinduism?
There is no single book. The Vedas are the highest authority; the Bhagavad Gita is the most widely read; and the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas are loved by all.
What is the oldest Hindu scripture?
The Rigveda.
Where should a beginner start?
With the Bhagavad Gita, which summarises the teachings of the Upanishads in 700 verses.