categories of Hindu Scripture - shruti, ‘that which is heard’ andsmriti, ‘tradition’ or ‘that which is to be remembered’” (Wangu 9). The Vedas and the Mastrangelo 2Upanishads are shruti texts (9). “These sacred writings are considered to be inspired by God andto have been revealed to human kind by ancient sages called rishis” (9).Each of the shruti texts provides a foundation for Hinduism. “The four Vedas are theoldest of the texts and are primary scriptures of Hinduism” (9). No one knows when thesehymns were composed, although at the latest they should be dated between 1200 and 900 BC(Berry 18). “One of the four Vedas contains hymns, chants and praises to gods” (Wangu 9). “Another Vedas serves as a guidebook for rituals and priestly behavior” (9). “A third offersinformation on magic and charms that can be used as blessings or curses, and the fourth givesmusical notes to be chanted while performing rituals” (9).The latest of the shruti texts are the Upanishads (Wangu 9). The Upanishads were writtenaround 700 - 500 BC (9). Most of the Upanishads are written in the form of dialogue, possiblybetween a teacher and a student (9). The most important concepts explained in the Upanishadsare the concepts of karma - the belief that ones beliefs will later have an affect in this life oranother life, samsara - reincarnation, and moksha - release from the cycles of samsara (9). In thetexts of the Upanishads one finds more of the philosophical outlook of Hinduism, especiallyconcerning the ,meaning of life and the value of suffering (Boraks 17). These two groups ofbooks are the principal doctrines of the Hindu faith (Wangu 10). All of the works that come afterthe Vedas and Upanishads are smriti texts (10). The smriti texts include epics, Puranas, Sutras, Shastras, and devotional Bhakti songs(Wangu 10). Two great smriti epics that have ...
