laukika Sanskrit

Vedic Sanskrit
Derived from
Veda = Knowledge

Each of the 4 Vedas are sectionalised as follows:

Samhitas (hymns)
Brahmanas (rituals)

Rk-Mantra
that Praise

Rig Veda

Aranyakas
(theologies)
Upanishads
(philosophies)

Content

Karmakanda
(Dharma,
Kama, artha)

Jnanakanda
(Mokhsa)

1. Kalpa (ritual detail)

2. Siksha (pronunciation)
3. Vyakarana (grammar)
4. Nirukti (etymology)
5. Chandas (metre)
6. Jyotisha (astronomy/astrology)

Itihasas:
histories or
epics

Ramayana

Mahabharata
(~200,000
verses)

Also know as Vedanta

Bhakti Yoga
(Kirtan)

Handbook for
worship of deities
thru instructions for
technical aspect of
ceremonies

Added last to this

group as it stand
apart-focusing more
on science

Sama Veda:
Hymns +
melodies(saman)

Yajur Veda:
sacrificial
formula (yajus)

Atharva
Veda

SukhlaYajur

Puranas:
stories and
histories

KrishnaYajur

Agamas
1. Ayur-veda (medicine)
2. Gandharva-veda (music and dance)
3. Dhanur-veda (warfare)
4. Shilpa-veda (architecture)

1. Samhitas literally "collections," in this case of hymns and mantras. They form the Veda proper.
2. Brahmanas prose manuals of ritual and prayer for the guiding priests. They tend to explain the Samhitas. They also contain early versions of some stories.
3. Aranyakas literally "forest books" for hermits and saints. They are philosophical treatises.
4. Upanishads books of philosophy, also called "Vedanta," the end or conclusion of the Vedas.

dharma sastra
(Manu-Smrti):
law books

6 x Siva
6 x Vishnu
6 x Brahma
Totalling 18 Puranas

Bhagavad-Gita:
philosophy
(700 verses