Smriti

The Smriti literature is a collection of diverse varied texts. It is not just limited to the six Vedangas, the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the Dharmasutras, the Arthasasastras, the Puranas, the Kavya or poetical literature, extensive Bhasyas, and numerous Nibandhas covering politics, ethics, culture, arts and society. All Smriti texts are considered to be inspired by the Shruti texts.

Smrti is a Sanskrit word, from the root Smara, which means reminiscence, calling to mind, or memory. The word is found in the ancient Vedic literature. It is found in the Chandogya Upanishad.

 

These texts also define the four proper goals or aims of human life:

1. Dharma: These texts discuss religion from various religious, social, duties, morals and personal ethics perspective.

2. Artha: It is related to discuss artha from individual, social and as a compendium of economic policies, politics, and laws.

3. Kama: These discuss emotions, relationships, and other sciences in the pursuit of pleasure.

4. Moksha: These develop and debate the nature and process of liberation, freedom and release from the cycle of birth.

 

These texts are a guide that defines the goals of a life, it provides methods to achieve them, removes doubts from where there are confusions, and elaborates on how to stick to those goals and how to rectify oneself who might go on wrong in the path. It also defines outlines for a social structure.