Smriti - Definition and Overview

Smriti ("what is fit/deserves to be remembered") refers to a canon of Hindu religious scripture. Smriti is the name for non-Shruti texts; Smriti is generally seen as secondary to Shruti. They are also known as Dharma Sastras.

One grouping (they vary) of the Hindu Smriti includes:

• DharmaShastra (the laws)
• Itihasa (the Histories; including Mahabharata, Ramayana)
• Puranas (the fables or writings)
• Sutras (proverbs or aphorisms)
• Agamas (the philosophies; including Mantras, Tantras, and Yantras)
• Dyasanas (the philosophies; including the Vedanta)

There are eighteen main Smritis, the most important are:

• Manu Smriti;
• Yajnavalkya Smriti and
• Parasara Smriti.

The other fiteen Smritis are:

• Vishnu Smriti;
• Daksha Smriti;
• Samvarta Smriti;
• Vyasa Smriti;
• Harita Smriti;
• Satatapa Smriti;
• Vasishtha Smriti;
• Yama Smriti;
• Apastamba Smriti;
• Gautama Smriti;
• Devala Smriti;
• Sankha-Likhita Smriti;
• Usana Smriti;
• Atri Smriti and
• SaunakaSmriti.