1. Indian Systems of Knowledge
Indian Systems of Knowledge
Compilation of notes, from various sources. The picture above: a Tamil temple.

2. Shad darshana - Six systems of Vedic philosophy
Philosophy is a worldview, as represented by the Sanskrit darshana, derived from the verbal root
drish, "to see". The s.ad-darshana (six philosophical views) are nyaya (logic), vaisesika (atomic
theory), sankhya (analysis of matter and spirit), yoga (the discipline of self-realization), karma-
mimamsa (science of fruitive work) and vedanta (science of God realization).
Nyaya - Logic
The Nyaya Viewpoint takes for granted that we possess knowledge of the world about us. It has in
general a common sense view of knowledge, accepting that in general the information we obtain
through sense experience is reliable. Nyaya is not news from nowhere. Nyaya theory takes for
granted that the world is more or less as we perceive it. While accepting that defects in the sense
organs, merely partial perception of something and the influence of fear, anticipation and other
mental conditions can lead to misapprehension as to what is actually being perceived, Nyaya
regards perception as in general a sound means of cognition, which discloses things to us as they
really are.
Vaisesika - Unique Aspects of Reality
The founder of vaisesika philosophy is the sage Kanaada, who was also known as Uluka. So this
system is sometimes called aulukya. Kanada wrote the first systematic work of this philosophy,
Vaisesika-sutra. This work is divided into ten cantos, each canto containing two sections.
Prasastapada wrote a commentary on this sutra entitled Svartha Dharma Samgraha that is so
famous that it is called bhashya, which means simply "commentary." In Indian philosophical
discourse, whenever the word bhasya is used by itself without further specification, it is
understood to refer to this commentary. Two well-known explications of Prasastapada's work are
Udayana's Kirana-vali and Sridhara's Nyayakandali. The significant feature of this system is the
introduction of a special category of reality called uniqueness (visesa). Thus, this system is known
as vaisesika.
Saamkhya - enumeration
The Sanskrit word "saamkhya" has a variety of meanings related to the concepts of enumeration,
calculation and discrimination. The name of the viewpoint could be derived from its emphasis on
the need to discriminate between the spirit, purushha and matter (literally "nature" prakrti), or from
the extensive use by saamkhya philosophers of lists which enumerate the stages of cosmic
evolution and their products. It would be equally appropriate to designate the saamkhya the
Evolutionist Viewpoint, since the concept of evolution plays a crucial role in saamkhya thought. The
traditional founder of the saamkhya viewpoint was Kapila, who is believed to have lived well before
the rise of Buddhism.
Non-theistic dualism
Sankhya philosophy, considered by some to be the oldest of all the philosophical schools, was
systematized by an ancient thinker named Kapila (different from the Devahuti-putra Kapila of the
Srimad-Bhagavatam whose sankhya system does not exclude God).
Yoga - Uniting
The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means "to unite." The yoga system
provides a methodology for linking up individual consciousness with the Supreme Consciousness.
There are various schools of yoga, among which bhakti-yoga, jnana-yoga, karma-yoga, and
kundalini-yoga are especially well known. The yoga system that is counted as one of the six
systems of Vedic philosophy is the patanjala-yoga
Karma mimamsa - Analysis
The word karma refers to any action that results in a reaction, whether it be good or bad. The word
Mimamsa means to analyze and understand thoroughly. The philosophical systems of karma-
mimamsa and vedanta are closely related to each other and are in some ways complimentary.

3. Karma-mimamsa may be understood as a stepping stone to vedanta. It examines the teachings of
the Veda in the light of karma-kanda rituals, whereas vedanta examines the same teachings in the
light of transcendental knowledge. The karma-mimamsa system is called purva-mimamsa, which
means the earlier study of the Veda, and vedanta is called uttara-mimamsa, which means the later
study of the Veda. Karma-mimamsa is to be taken up by householders, and vedanta is reserved
for wise men who have graduated from household life and taken up the renounced order
(sannyasa).
Vedanta - Conclusion
The word vedanta is normally read as a combination of two words: veda and anta, end. The
upanishads are sometimes called vedanta since they are seen as the end and the fulfilment of the
Veda. The Vedanta Viewpoint is a family of philosophical schools which take up the issues
discussed in the upanishads; the nature of the self, the relation of the Ultimate Self to Ultimate
Reality, Atman to Brahman,the status of the world given inexperience, the relation of the world we
experience to Brahman..
The conclusion of the Vedic revelation
Karma-mimamsa philosophy arose from the earlier study of the ritualistic portions of the Vedas,
and so it is also known as purva-mimamsa, "the prior deliberation." Vedanta is called uttara-
mimamsa, "the higher deliberation", and also as brahma-mimamsa, "deliberation on Brahman, the
Absolute Truth."
Sanatana Dharma ("Eternal Religion"), a.k.a Hinduism, is without any contest the "world champion"
of Scriptures, both in its breath (covering 18 fields of knowledge, it has far more scriptures than all
the other world religions put together) and its depth.
As the great Indologist Max Muller said, "If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most
fully developed the choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems of life, and
has found solution of some of them which well deserve the attention even of those who have
studied Plato and Kant-I should point to India. And if I were to ask myself from what literature we
here in Europe, we who have been nurtured almost exclusively on the thought of Greeks and
Romans, and of one Semitic race, the Jewish, may draw that corrective which is most wanted in
order to make our inner life more perfect, more comprehensive, more universal, in fact more truly
human, a life not for this life only, but a transfigured and eternal life-again I should point to India."
The sheer number of scriptures should not be so surprising, in light of the fact that Indians have
always considered all arts, sciences, and occupations as sacred, i.e. offering the opportunity to
perfect one's love for God by carrying out our activities guided by the scriptures and the sages.
Hence there are scriptures for meditation, administration, love-making, dancing, grammar,
architecture, temple worship, and so on and so forth.
The Fourteen Fields of Knowledge
Indian scriptures span fourteen fields of knowledge (vidya) and four complements to the Vedas
(upavedas). The fourteen fields are the four Vedas (Rik, Yajur, Sama, Atharva), the six vedangas
(meter, etymology, phonetics, grammar, astrology-astronomy, rituals), and the four upangas (logic,
enquiry, sacred history, code of social conduct). The four complements to the Vedas are medicine,
politics-economics, warfare, and fine arts. (The Mahabharata, Ramayana, as well as Sankhya,
Patañjala, Pashupata and Vaishnava, form part of Dharma Shastras.)
The Six Categories
Another method is to classify all scriptures in six categories: 1) scriptures which have been divinely
revealed, 2) scriptures which have been composed, 3) sacred epics, 4) sacred legends and
history, 5) manuals of divine worship, and 6) the six philosophical systems. This is the
classification that we will examine presently.

4. I. Shrutis
Shruti means "heard", i.e. divinely revealed scriptures. The shrutis are also known as prabhu-
samhitas ("Commanding Treatises"). They refer to the four Vedas only. All religions trace their
scriptures to the revelation given by God to a single chosen messenger... except in Hinduism. The
Vedas were not revealed to a single prophet. They existed in a subtle form before creation began,
and were gradually revealed to a number of sages or rishis (over 800 of them, according to some
calculations) in the depth of their meditation. Each Vedic mantra is dedicated to a particular deity
(devata), and set in one of 19 possible meters (chhandas).
The word veda itself come from the Sanskrit root vid, "to know."
The four Vedas number all together over 20,500 mantras.
1. Rig Veda - It was revealed to Paila Rishi and dedicated to Agni, the fire god. It is presided by
the planet Guru (Jupiter). It is divided in ten books (mandalas), made of 1028 hymns (suktas),
which comprise 10,552 mantras in total. The Rig Veda originally had twenty-one recensions
(shakhas), only five of which are still extant. It contains hymns on gods, soul, social life. It contains
the Aitareya and Kaushitaki Upanishads.
2. Yajur Veda
It was revealed to Vaishampayana Rishi and dedicated to Vayu, the wind god. It is presided by the
planet Shukra (Venus). It is divided in 40 parts (skandas), which comprise 1975 mantras in total. It
is divided in: 1) the Krishna ("Black") Yajur Veda book (the oldest), and 2) the Shukla ("White")
Yajur Veda book (a later revelation to Sage Yajñavalkya, nephew of Sage Vaishampayana). The
Yajur Veda originally had 102 recensions (85 for the Black, 17 for the White) only four of the Black
and two of the White are still extant today. It is a manual on rituals and sacrifices. The Black
contains the Taittiriya and Katha Upanishads, while the White contains the Isha and
Brihadaranyaka Upanishads.
3. Sama Veda
It was revealed to Jaimini Rishi and dedicated to Aditya, the sun god. It is presided by the planet
Mangal (Mars). It is divided in:
1) Purvarcika, made of four parts (skandas), containing 585 mantras. 2) Uttararcika, made of 21
parts (skandas), containing 964 mantras.
Of the total of 1549 mantras, all but 75 of them come from the Rig Veda. The Sama Veda originally
had 1000 recensions, only three of which are still extant today. It contains devotional hymns,
music, prayers for peace. It contains the Chhandogya and Kena Upanishads.
Note: in the matter of Vedic sacrifices, the prayoga (operative) mantras are taken from the Rig
Veda, adhwaryu (priestly) from the Yajurveda and the audgatra (singing) from the Samaveda.
4. Atharva Veda
It was revealed to Sumanthu Rishi and dedicated to Aditya, the sun god. It is presided by the
planet Budha (Mercury). It comprises:
1) Purvadha ("first half"), made of various discourses. 2) Uttarardha ("second half"), comprising the
critical appreciation of rituals, etc.
The Atharva Veda is divided in four books (prapathakas), totaling twenty chapters (skandas) and
includes 6,077 mantras. It originally had 9 recensions, of which only two are still extant today. It
contains hymns to deities, creation stories, mantras to ward off evil and enemies, magic and tantra.
An astounding total of 93 Upanishads are found in the Atharva Veda, among which the famous
Prashna, Mundaka, and Mandukya Upanishads.

5. Division of the Vedas
Each Veda comprises four parts:
a) The mantra-samhitas: hymns of praise to deities to attain material prosperity in this world and
happiness in the next. b) The brahmanas: manual for the performance of sacrificial rites. c) The
aranyakas: philosophical interpretations of the rituals. d) The Upanishads, a.k.a. vedanta ("end of
the Vedas"): the essence or mystical portion of the Vedas.
These four divisions of the Vedas are often described in terms of a divine harvest, where the
samhita represents the tree, the brahmana the flower, the aranyaka the unripe fruit, and the
upanishad the ripe, sweet fruit.
II. Smritis
Smriti means "remembered"). These are the secondary scriptures, of human composition.
A. The Four Upavedas ("Subsidiary Vedas")
1) Ayurveda ("Science of life and health"), associated with the Rig Veda:
Charaka Samhita by Charaka.
Susruta Samhita, by Susruta, on the science of rejuvenation.
Vagbhata Samhita by Vagbhata.
Kama Sutras by Vatsyayana, on the science of healthy sex.
2) Dhanurveda ("Military science"), associated with the Yajur Veda: Dhanur Shastra by Sage
Vishwamitra, in four chapters dealing with both offensive and defensive warfare, mystic missiles,
spells, etc.
3) Gandharva Veda ("Science of music and art"), associated with the Sama Veda: Gandharva
Shastra by Sage Bharata on the science of vocal and instrumental music and dance as a means to
concentrate the mind on God.
4) Arthashastra ("Science of politics and economics"). Note: Other (minor) sources consider this
fourth upaveda to be sthapatya shastra ("Science of mechanics and construction"), associated with
the Atharva Veda.
Arthasastra dealing with the acquisition of material things like wealth by righteous means. Under
this head, nitisastra, shilpasastra, the sixty-four kalas and also other physical and metaphysical
subjects are included.
The kalas
According to the Vamakeshvara Tantra, there are 64 books called kalas. There are various lists of
these 64 "arts". One such list is as follows:
1. Vocal music
2. Instrumental music
3. Dance
4. Acting
5. Painting
6. Making emblems
7. Making garlands and other creations with flowers
8. Artwork for mattresses
9. Artwork for bedspreads
10. Body esthetics
11. House decoration
12. Making musical instruments operated by water (such as the jalataranga, for instance)
13. Making sound effects in water
14. Costume and fashion design
15. Making pearl necklaces

6. 16. Hair styling
17. Art of dressing
18. Making ear ornaments
19. Flower decoration
20. Food styling
21. Magic
22. Landscaping
23. Manicure
24. Pastry making
25. Making drinks
26. Sewing
27. Making nets
28. Solving and creating riddles
29. Reciting poems
30. Discoursing on epics and poetical works
31. Reading
32. Attending theatrical plays
33. Completing verses left unfinished (samasya) by others as a challenge
34. Making cane furniture
35. Woodworking
36. Debate
37. Architecture
38. Assessing gold and gems
39. Metallurgy
40. Cutting and polishing diamonds
41. Searching for ore
42. Special knowledge of trees and plants
43. Cock fighting
44. Interpreting the songs of birds
45. Massage
46. Hair care
47. Sign language
48. Learning foreign languages
49. Scholarship in local languages
50. Predicting the future
51. Mechanical engineering
52. Strengthening memory power
53. Learning by ear
54. Instantaneous verse-making
55. Decisiveness in action
56. Pretense
57. Prosody
58. Preserving clothes
59. Gambling
60. Playing dice
61. Playing with children
62. Rules of respectful behavior
63. Art of storytelling and entertaining, (like bards and minstrels)
64. Grasping the essence of subjects.
Kautilya Artha Shastra by Sage Kautilya (a.k.a. Chanakya) (302 B.C.E.): a treatise on government
by the prime minister of India's first great emperor, Chandragupta Maurya.
Chanakya Neeti by Chanakya (302 B.C.E.)
Note: the Mahabharata can also be classified as part of the artha shastra.

7. B. The Six Vedangas ("Organs of the Vedas")
According to tradition, these are to be mastered before the study of the Vedas.
The Vedangas (limbs of the Vedas) are six: siksha, kalpa, vyakarana, nirukta, chhandas and
jyotisha. By using the name Vedanga the human origin of these subjects is indicated, although
they are in close association with the Vedas.
1. Siksha ("Phonetics"): Siksha of Maharshi Panini
2. Vyakarana ("Grammar"): Vyakarana of Maharshi Panini. Mahabhashya by Sage Patañjali. A
commentary on Sage Panini's Sanskrit grammar.
3. Chhandas ("Prosody meter"): Chhandas of Pingalacharya
4. Nirukta ("Etymology"): Nirukta of Yaska
5. Jyotisha ("Astronomy and astrology"): Jyotisha of Garga. Other classic texts on jyotisha: Shani
Mahatmya ("Greatness of Saturn").
6. Kalpa ("Methods of Rituals"):
i. Srauta kalpa, methods for the performance of sacrifices.
ii. Sulba kalpa, methods of measurements for the sacrifice area.
iii. Dharma kalpa, methods for ethics.
Out of eighteen texts of dharma shastra, the three most important are:
Manu Smriti ("The Laws of Manu") (150 B.C.E.), meant for the satya yuga.
Yajñavalkya Smriti ("The Laws of Yajñavalkya"), meant for the treta yuga.
Parashara Smriti ("The Laws of Parashara"), meant for the kali yuga.
The other fifteen are:
Sankha-Likhita Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Sankha"), meant for the dvapara yuga.
Gautama Dharma Sutra ("Gautama's Institutes of the Sacred Law")
Apastamba Dharma Sutra ("Apastamba's Aphorisms on the Sacred Law")
Vasishtha Dharma Sutra ("Vasishtha's Aphorisms on the Sacred Law")
Saunaka Dharma Sutra ("Saunaka's Aphorisms on the Sacred Law")
Vishnu Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Vishnu")
Daksha Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Daksha")
Samvarta Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Samvarta")
Vyasa Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Vyasa")
Harita Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Harita")
Satatapa Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Satatapa")
Yama Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Yama")
Devala Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Devala")
Usana Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Usana")
Atri Dharma Sutra ("Institutes of Atri")
iv. The grihya kalpa, methods for domestic life.
III. Itihasas ("Sacred Epics")
The Itihasas are also known as suhrit-samhitas ("Friendly Treatises").
There are four epics:
1. Ramayana, by Sage Valmiki (500 B.C.E.). The epic of the avatar Rama and his consort Sita
faced with the demon Ravana.
2. Mahabharata, by Sage Vyasa (1316 B.C.E.). The epic of the avatar Krishna, including the
complete story of the Pandavas and Kauravas. Its importance is such that it is referred as the "Fifth
Veda." According to its author, "It unveils the secrets of the Vedas, contains the essence of the
Upanishads. It elaborates on the Itihasas and Puranas, astrology, morality and ethics, life science,
medicine, charity and generosity, it is also a description of holy places of pilgrimage, rivers, forests,
oceans and mountains. It is the greatest epic of mankind, rich with knowledge and applied

8. knowledge. It is a book on theology, political philosophy; a scripture of devotion and action and is
the synopsis of the Aryan scriptures". The Bhagavad Gita is a small part of this epic.
3. Harivamsa
4. Yoga Vasishtha by Sage Valmiki (500 B.C.E.)
IV. Puranas ("Sacred Legends and History")
Often described as the "magnifying glass of the Vedas", tradition ascribes them to Sage Vyasa. By
definition, the Puranas must deal with the following five topics (pancha-lakshana): 1) History; 2)
Cosmology; 3) Secondary creation; 4) Genealogy of kings; and 5) World-cycles. There are
eighteen main Puranas and eighteen subsidiary ones (upa puranas).
A. The 18 Main Puranas
They are divided into three groups of six Puranas each: 1) Sattvic Puranas, glorifying Lord Vishnu;
2) Rajasic Puranas, glorifying Lord Brahma; 3) Tamasic Puranas, glorifying Lord Shiva.
These main Puranas are:
1. Bhagavat Purana by Sage Vyasa (1300 B.C.E.). The life and legends of Shri Krishna. (18,000
verses)
2. Vishnu Purana (23,000 verses)
3. Naradiya Purana (25,000 verses)
4. Garuda (Suparna) Purana (19,000 verses)
5. Padma Purana (55,000 verses)
6. Varaha Purana (10,000 verses)
7. Brahma Purana (24,000 verses)
8. Brahmanda Purana (12,000 verses)
9. Brahma Vaivarta Purana (18,000 verses)
10. Markandeya Purana (9,000 verses)
11. Bhavishya Purana (14,500 verses)
12. Vamana Purana (10,000 verses)
13. Matsya Purana (14,000 verses)
14. Kurma Purana (17,000 verses)
15. Linga Purana (11,000 verses)
16. Siva Purana (24,000 verses)
17. Skanda Purana (81,100 verses)
18. Agni Purana (15,400 verses)
B. The 18 Upa-Puranas
The eighteen subsidiary Puranas are:
1. Sanat Kumara
2. Narasimha
3. Brihannaradiya
4. Sivarahasya
5. Durvasa
6. Kapila
7. Vamana
8. Bhargava
9. Varuna
10. Kalika
11. Samba
12. Nandi
13. Surya
14. Parashara
15. Vasishtha
16. Devi-Bhagavata
17. Ganesha

9. 18. Hamsa
C. The Tamil Puranas
These are all Puranas glorifying Lord Shiva, as he incarnated Himself in the form of Dakshinamurti
to teach the four Kumaras (sons of Brahma).
These Tamil Puranas are:
1. Siva Purana
2. Periya Purana
3. Siva Parakramam
4. Tiruvilayadal Purana
V. Agamas ("Manuals of Divine Worship")
The Agamas do not derive their authority from the Vedas, but are not antagonistic to them.
They follow a four-fold method of worship: 1) jñana ("knowledge"); 2) yoga ("concentration"); 3)
kriya ("esoteric ritual"); 4) charya ("exoteric worship").
The most important books on the Agamas are:
Ishvara-Samhita
Ahirbudhnya-Samhita
Sanatkumara-Samhita
Narada-Pancharatra
Spanda-Pradipika
The Agamas are divided into three categories: 1) The Vaishnava Agamas or Pancharatra Agamas
(worship of Vishnu); 2) The Shaiva Agamas (worship of Shiva); 3) The Shakta Agamas or Tantras
(worship of the Divine Mother or Shakti).
A. The Vaishnava Agamas
There are 215 Vaishnava Agamas, the most important ones being:
1. Isvara Samhita
2. Ahirbudhnya Samhita
3. Paushkara Samhita
4. Parama Samhita
5. Sattvata Samhita
6. Brihad-Brahma Samhita
7. Jñanamritasara Samhita
The Vaishnava Agamas are divided into four classes:
a/ Pancharatra, considered as the most authoritative. They consist of seven groups:
1. Brahma
2. Shaiva
3. Kaumara
4. Vasishtha
5. Kapila
6. Gautamiya
7. Naradiya
b/ Vaikhanasa
c/ Pratishthasara
d/ Vijñana-lalita
B. The Shaiva Agamas
There are 28 Shaiva Agamas, of which the chief is the Kamika Agama.

10. There are two principal divisions in Shaivism, both based on these 28 Agamas as well as the
Vedas: 1) Kashmir Shaivism, a.k.a. the pratyabhijna system, a non-dualistic philosophy; and 2)
Southern Shaivism, a.k.a. shaiva siddhanta, a dualistic philosophy.
Each Agama has upa-agamas ("Subsidiary Agamas"). Of these, only fragmentary texts of twenty
are extant.
C. The Shakta Agamas
There are 27 Shakti Agamas, usually in the form of dialogues between Lord Shiva and his consort
Parvati.
The most important ones are:
1. Mahanirvana Tantra
2. Kularnava Tantra
3. Kulasara Tantra
4. Prapanchasara Tantra
5. Tantraraja
6. Rudra-Yamala Tantra
7. Brahma-Yamala Tantra
8. Vishnu-Yamala Tantra
9. Todala Tantra
VI. Shad-Darshana ("Six Philosophies"), a.k.a. Upa-Vedangas
The six darshanas or ways of seeing things, are usually called the six systems or six different
schools of thought. The six schools of philosophy are the six instruments of true teaching or the six
demonstrations of Truth. Each school has developed, systematized and correlated the various
parts of the Veda in its own way. Each system has its sutrakara, i.e., the one great Rishi who
systematized the doctrines of the school and put them in short aphorisms or Sutras
The Sutras are terse and laconic. The rishis have condensed their thoughts in the aphorisms. It is
very difficult to understand them without the help of commentaries by great sages or rishis. Hence,
there arose many commentators or bhashyakaras. There are glosses, notes and, later,
commentaries on the original commentaries.
The darshanas are grouped into three pairs of aphoristic compositions which explain the
philosophy of the Vedas in a rationalistic method of approach. These pairs are: nyaya and
vaiseshika, sankhya and yoga and mimamsa and Vedanta.
The shad-darshana (the six schools of philosophy) or the shat-shastras are:
1. Nyaya: Nyaya represents the logical approach to spirituality, founded by Gautama Rishi. Nyaya
Sutras by Gautama Rishi (350 B.C.E.): 537 sutras divided in five chapters, dealing with the
analytical process of cognition.
2. Vaiseshika: Vaiseshika deals with the material aspect of creation and the path of discrimination,
founded by Kanada Rishi. Vaiseshika Shastra by Kanada Rishi: 373 sutras divided in twelve
chapters, written as a supplemental science to nyaya, and acknowledging the authority of
scripture.
3. Sankhya: Sankhya presents a dualistic conception of purusha (soul) and prakriti (nature),
founded by Kapila Muni). Sankhya Shastra by Kapila Muni: six chapters describing the world as
real, and the purpose of life is freedom by understanding the difference between purusha and
prakriti.
Additional texts on sankhya: Sankhya Karika by Ishvara Krishna
4. Purva (or karma) mimamsa: Purva mimamsa deals with outer practices, i.e. rituals, and was
founded by Sage Jaimini. Mimamsa Sutras by Jaimini (200 B.C.E.) in twelve chapters.

11. 5. Yoga: Yoga concerns itself with inner practice, and was founded by Patañjali Maharshi. Yoga
Sutras by Patañjali Maharshi (150 B.C.E.): 194 sutras divided in four parts, expounding on the
eightfold limbs process of God-realization. It is also known as raja yoga. Additional texts on yoga:
Hatha Yoga Pradipika. The first systematic exposition on the much misunderstood science of
Hatha Yoga. Gheranda Samhita. The classic tantric text on yoga in the form of a dialogue between
the sage Gheranda and an inquirer. Shiva Samhita. A detailed Sanskrit classic on the practice of
yoga.
6. Uttara (or sharirika) mimamsa, a.k.a. Vedanta: Vedanta concerns itself with the realization of the
Truth, and was founded by Sage Vyasa. Vedanta Sutras by Sage Bhadrayana (350 B.C.E.
Brahma-Sutras by Sage Vyasa (1450 B.C.E.): 555 aphorisms presenting the entire philosophy of
the Vedas. A good knowledge of the Upanishads is required before studying this work. Additional
texts on Vedanta: the Upanishads. The word upanishad is derived from upa, "near;" ni, ";" and
shada, "to sit by the side [of the guru]". It also means, "that which brings one to God's side."
Composed from 1450 B.C.E. onward, there are 108 authoritative Upanishads, out of which the
main ones are:
1. Isha Upanishad
2. Katha Upanishad
3. Kena Upanishad
4. Mundaka Upanishad
5. Shvetashvatara Upanishad
6. Prashna Upanishad
7. Mandukya Upanishad
8. Aitareya Upanishad
9. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
10. Taittiriya Upanishad
11. Chhandogya Upanishad
12. Kaushitaki Upanishad
13. Maitrayani Upanishad
14. Mahanarayana Upanishad
The Bhagavad Gita, although part of the Mahabharata (Book Bhishma Parva, sections 13-42), is
considered as an Upanishad. In this respect, it is said that "Just as the Upanishads are the cream
of the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gita is the cream of the Upanishads. The Upanishads are the cows,
Lord Krishna is the cowherd, Arjuna is the calf, and the Bhagavad Gita is the milk. The wise drink
the milk of the Gita."
VII. Other Scriptures
A. The Various Gitas
1. Anu Gita (from the Mahabharata, Book Ashvamedha, Canto 16): the conversation between
Arjuna and Krishna after the war and coronation of Yudhishthira.
2. Ashtavakra Gita a.k.a. Ashtavakra Samhita: a short treatise on nondualistic Vedanta in the form
of a dialogue between the saintly king Janaka and his guru Sage Ashtavakra.
3. Avadhuta Gita by Sage Dattatreya. This sublime "Song of the Free" expounds the ultimate truths
of nondualistic Vedanta.
4. Bhagavad Gita (from the Mahabharata, Book Bhishma Parva, chapters 25-42)
5. Bhikshu Gita (from the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana, Book 11, chapter 23)
6. Brahma Gita (from the Skanda Purana, chapter 4 of the book Suta Samhita, and chapters 1-12
of the book Yajñavaibhava Khanda). Another version with the same name is found in Yoga
Vasishtha, in the section on Nirvana, stanzas 173-181.
7. Brahmana Gita: this forms a part of the Anu Gita described above.
8. Bodhya Gita (from the Mahabharata, Book Moksha Parva, as a part of the book Shanti Parva)

12. 9. Devi Gita (from the Devi Bhagavata, Book 7, chapters 31-40)
10. Ganesha Gita (from the Ganesha Purana, Book Krida Khanda, chapters 138-148): it is quite
close to the Bhagavad Gita in format and contents.
11. Hamsa Gita (from the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana, Book 11, chapter 13)
12. Hari Gita: this is the name given to the Bhagavad Gita by Sage Narada, in the Mahabharata,
Book Shanti Parva, chapter 346, verse 10.
13. Harita Gita (from the Mahabharata, Book Moksha Parva, as a part of the book Shanti Parva)
14. Ishvara Gita, a.k.a. Uttara Gita (from the Kurma Purana, first eleven chapters of Uttara
Vibhaga)