Upanishads - 1

SHASTRAS:

- Certain portions of the Vedas are known as the "Upanishads". They are also called "Vedanta" either because they occur towards the end of the Vedas or because they contain the cream or essence of the Vedas.

- The bulk of the Vedas deal with details related to Yajnas. The Yajnas, that is, the ancient modes of worship, are nothing but ceremonials to be performed for purifying one's mind so that it may become fit for receiving the knowledge of God. Hence, this portion of the Vedas concerned mainly with ceremonials (Karma) is known as "Karma-Kanda". On the other hand, the portion of the Vedas known as Upanishads dwell primarily on the knowledge of God. This is why they constitute what is known as the "Jnana-Kanda" of the Vedas.

- Where and how does God exist? How are man and universe related to Him? How and why should one try to realise God? What does exactly happen when one realises Him? All these may be learnt from the Upanishads (or Vedanta).

- The Upanishads are many in number. Each of the four Vedas contain several Upanishads. Of these, following may be remembered: Isha, Kena, Katha, Prashna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Aitareya, Taittiriya, Chhandogya, Brihadaranyaka and Shwetashwatara.

SMRITIS:

- Some sages like Manu and Yagnavalkya compiled codes and manuals of Hindu life. These are known particularly as "Smritis", though the term "Smriti" in a broader sense covers all Hindu shastras except the vedas. From these Smritis by Manu, Yagnavalkya and other sages, a Hindu learns how he has to spend his entire life. They instruct him as to how he should behave at different periods of his life (ashrama) and also what special duties are enjoined on him due to his birth in a particular social group (Varna). These also describe all ceremonies connected with the domestic life of a Hindu. Moreover, these lay down domestic and social laws for the Hindus, and some of these were operative even under the British rule.

- These Smritis, in short, prescribe certain acts and prohibit some others for a Hindu according to his birth and stage of life. Their sole object is to purify the mind gradually so that one may advance step by step towards perfection. They are no doubt based on the teachings of the Vedas. Yet it is to be noted that their injunctions (Vidhis) and prohibitions (Nishedha) are related to the particular social surroundings. As these surroundings of the Hindu society changed from time to time, new Smritis had to be compiled by the sages of different ages and different parts of Hindusthan.

- Thus Raghunandana's Smriti is of a much later age than Manu's and it is applicable particularly to the Hindu society of Bengal. As our present day society has changed considerably since the days of the last Smriti-maker, time is perhaps ripe for a fresh Smriti for the Hindus of our days.