Upanishads - 2

DARSHANAS:

- The knowledge of God found in the vedas gave rise to six different schools of thought. The sages Jaimini, Vyasa, Kapila, Patanjali, Goutama and Kanada introduced these different schools. Each of them wrote what is known as a "Darshana"; and the six together are known as Shad-Darshana. Purva Mimansa, Uttara Mimansa (Vedanta), Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya and Vaisheshika are the six Darshanas named in order of their authors mentioned above. Each of these is written in a particular style, namely in "SUTRAS". The Sutras of sanskrit grammar remind one of the style of the Darshanas. These terse Sutras of the Darshanas require explanation and these naturally gave rise, in course of time, to a vast number of notes and commentaries on each of the Darshanas.

- Of these Darshanas, the Purva-Mimansa deals with the Karma-Kanda of the Vedas and the Uttara-Mimansa with the Jnana-Kanda. The latter is derived directly from the Upanishads. This Darshana composed by the great sage Vyasa is also known as "Vedanta Darshana" or "Brahma Sutras". This may be said to be one of the corner-stones of the Hindu religion. Great saints like Sri Shankaracharya and Sri Ramanujacharya in later days wrote brilliant commentaries on this "Vedanta Darshana".

PURANAS:

- The Darshanas are no doubt very stiff. They are meant only for the learned few. For the common folk another class of Shastras was brought out by the Hindu sages. These Shastras are called the "Puranas". Through these, religion is taught in a very easy and interesting way. The teachings are driven home through inspiring stories and parables. Moreover, glimpses of the ancient history of Hindusthan may be had through the Puranas. We have eighteen Puranas in all. Of these, the names of the following may be remembered:

Vishnu Purana
Padma Purana
Vayu Purana
Skanda Purana
Agni Purana
Markandeya Purana
Bhagavata

A portion of the Markandeya Purana is well known to all Hindus as Chandi. Worship of God as the "Divine Mother" is its theme. Chandi is read widely by the Hindus on sacred days.