Literature - - Posted on August, 23 at 2:11 pm
Smruti is literally what is remembered by human teachers as against Shruti, or what is directly heard or revealed to the Rishis. In its widest acceptation the term is used to denote the 6 vedangas, the sutras (Shruata and Gruhya), the law books (Dharmashastras), the Itihasa (Mahabharata), the Puranas and Nitishastras. In this section we will stick to the popular meaning, which includes the law-books of Manu, Yajyavalkya and the 16 more traditionally recognised works viz. Atri, Vishnu, Harita, Ushanas or Shukra, Angiras, Yama, Apastamba, Samvarata, Katyayana, Brihaspati, Parashara, Vyasa, Shankha, Likhita, Daksha and Gautama. There are others who are more frequently cited than many of these like Narada, Bhrigu, Marichi, Kashyapa, Vishvamitra, and Baudhayana. Out of these Gautama, Apastamba, Baudhayana and ManuSmruti are dated before the Common Era (CE). Yajyavalkya, Parashara and Narada are from 1st century CE while others are from the time period 400-1000 CE.
Yajnyavalkya in his text has recorded 20 Smrutis known to him. The list increases in the later works. There are two or three texts available named Shatatapa, Harita and Atri. While some earlier texts are later imitated with prefixes like Vriddha (expanded) or Brihat (bigger). For example imitating the popular Yajnyavalkya Smruti there is a later text named VriddhaYajyavalkya Smruti. These texts are obviously of later date and are more detailed than the original.
All the Smrutis deal with three topics -
Most of them are in the forms of verses with wide use of the Anushtup meter.
Not all the texts are deemed as foundation of the code of conduct neither are all available. One can safely assume ManuSmruti to be the most important on the basis of the number of commentaries available on the text. In terms of the usability in recent times, the medieval text by Jeemuta is important, as it was the basis of the laws of inheritance in Bengal region in British India. While Yajnyavalkya was referred in other regions.
You must be logged in to post a comment.