Brahmanic (Hindu) Texts

Brahmanic (Hindu) Texts

Brahmanic (Hindu) texts are sacred Hindu scriptures that form the core of Vedic literature.

They are broadly classified into Shruti (heard) and Smriti (remembered) texts, reflecting religious, philosophical, and cultural traditions of ancient India.

Under Brahmanic texts, Shruti & Smriti texts are included.

• Shruti Texts: Samhitas or Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas & Upanishadas.

• Smriti Texts: Vedangas or Sutras, Smrities, Epics (Ramayana & Mahabharata), and Purans.

There are four Samhitas, or Vedas: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda.

The Vedas throw more light on the religious, social, & economic life and less light on the political life of the Aryans. From the point of view of history, the Rig Veda & Atharva Veda have more importance than the Yajur Veda & Sama Veda.

Brahmanas and Aranyakas

Brahmanas (1000 BC to 600 BC)

• The composing time of the Brahmanas is 1000 BC to 600 BC.

• Shatapatha Brahmana throws light on Gandhar, Shalya, Kekava, etc., of the northwest region and the Kuru Panchala, Koshala, and Videha states of the east region of India.

Aranyakas (1000 BC to 600 BC)

• The composing time of the Aranyakas is 1,000 BC to 600 BC.

• The historical importance of the Aranyakas is negligible.

Upanishads

Upanishads (1000 BC to 500 BC)

• The composing time of the Upanishads is 1000 BC to 500 BC.

• The best learning of the Upanishads is Para-vidya Le, spiritual learning.

• Life aims to merge the individual's soul into the world's soul, which is known as 'Para-vidya.'

• The combined study of Brahmanas & Upanishads provides historical information from King Parikshit to King Bimbisar.

Vedangas and Smritis

Vedangas (600 BC to 200 AD)

• The composing time of the Vedangas is 600 BC to 200 AD.

• The Vedangas throw light on ancient Indian history, civilization, & culture.

Smritis (600 BC to 600 AD)

• The composing time of Smritis is 600 BC to 600 AD.

• The Smritis provide the knowledge of social organisations, their theories, customs, kings' rights & duties, kings' relations with their subjects, etc.

Epics: Ramayana and Mahabharata

Epics (400 BC to 400 AD)

• The composing time of epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata) is 400 BC to 400 AD.

Ramayana

• The Ramayana (Valmiki) throws light on the political, social, and religious conditions of India at that time.

• This book provides information about the origin & development of Janapadas.

• Besides this, it mentions Yavanas (Greeks) & Sakas (Scythians).

Mahabharata

• The Mahabharata (Ved Vyas) throws light on the political, social, & religious conditions of India at that time.

• It is the extensive form of the Mahabharata War, which was fought around 950 BC between the Kauravas & Pandavas.

The Mahabharata claims, "Yann Bharate Tann Bharate," i.e., what is not in the Mahabharata is not found in Bharat (India). Girivraja, the capital of Magadha, is mentioned in it.

The Mahabharata informs us that the Panchala state was in existence from the time of the Mahabharata. Besides this, it mentions Huns along with Yavanas & Sakas.

Puranas (400 BC to 400 AD)

• The composing time of the Puranas is 400 BC to 400 AD.

• The Puranas throw light on the history of India from the very beginning to the Gupta period.

Generally, Puranas have 5 segments:

• Sarga (creation of the universe)

• Pratisarga (re-creation)

• Vamsa (genealogy of the gods and the sages)

• Manvantar (epochs of Manu)

• Vansanucharitam (narratives of ancient dynasties)

In which only Vansanucharitam is important from the point of view of history.

Unfortunately, Vansanucharitam is not found in every Purana. The only Puranas that have Vansarucharitams are the Matsya, Bhagawat, Vishnu, Vayu, Brahma, Bhavishya, and Garud Puranas.

Garud Puran has genealogies of the Purava, Ikshwaku, and Brahdrath dynasties, but its date is not definite.

Final Thoughts

Brahmanic texts form the foundational framework of ancient Indian knowledge, culture, and spirituality.

Divided into Shruti and Smriti, these texts offer deep insights into the religious, philosophical, social, and political life of early Indian civilization.

From the Vedas and Upanishads to the epics and Puranas, they collectively preserve the essence of India’s historical and intellectual heritage.