The Sruti and the Smriti

[Guest guest]

There are eighteen main Smritis or Dharma Sastras. The most important

are those of Manu, Yajnavalkya and Parasara. The other fifteen are

those of Vishnu, Daksha, Samvarta, Vyasa, Harita, Satatapa,

Vasishtha, Yama, Apastamba, Gautama, Devala, Sankha-Likhita, Usana,

Atri and Saunaka.

 

The laws of Manu are intended for the Satya Yuga; those of

Yajnavalkya are for the Treta Yuga; those of Sankha and Likhita are

for the Dvapara Yuga; and those of Parasara are for the Kali Yuga.

The laws and rules which are based entirely upon our social

positions, time and clime, must change with the changes in society

and changing conditions of time and clime. Then only the progress of

the Hindu society can be ensured.

 

Need For a New Law-Code

 

It is not possible to follow some of the laws of Manu at the present

time. We can follow their spirit and not the letter. Society is

advancing. When it advances, it outgrows certain laws which were

valid and helpful at a particular stage of its growth. Many new

things which were not thought out by the old law-givers have come

into existence now. It is no use insisting people to follow now those

old laws which have become obsolete.

 

Our present society has considerably changed. A new Smriti to suit

the requirements of this age is very necessary. Another sage will

place before the Hindus of our days a new suitable code of laws. Time

is ripe for a new Smriti. Cordial greetings to this sage.

 

The Sruti and the Smriti

 

The Sruti and the Smriti are the two authoritative sources of

Hinduism. Sruti literally means what is heard, and Smriti means what

is remembered. Sruti is revelation and Smriti is tradition. Upanishad

is a Sruti. Bhagavad Gita is a Smriti.

 

Sruti is direct experience. Great Rishis heard the eternal truths of

religion and left a record of them for the benefit of posterity.

These records constitute the Vedas. Hence, Sruti is primary

authority. Smriti is a recollection of that experience. Dharma

Sastras also are books written by sages, but they are not the final

authority. If there is anything in a Smriti which contradicts the

Sruti, the Smriti is to be rejected.

 

Sri Swami Sivananda

http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/religions/

[Guest guest]

"Bhagavad Gita is a Smriti."

 

Is every Purana Smriti, or just the Bhagavad Gita?

 

Alexandra

 

 

[Note from the Moderator]

The link given at the end of the message Ms Alex. You can refer to it and read

it there. Thank yo