Core Hindu Texts
Vedas: Considered the most ancient and foundational texts, the four Vedas are the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda. They are seen as divinely revealed and consist of hymns, rituals, and philosophical teachings.
Upanishads: These are a part of the Vedas and are known for their philosophical and mystical content, discussing concepts like meditation and spiritual knowledge.
Mahabharata and Ramayana:
These are two major epic poems that narrate the lives of legendary figures and provide moral and spiritual guidance.
The Mahabharata includes the Bhagavad Gita, a key religio-philosophical text.
Puranas: These texts elaborate on Vedic wisdom through stories and myths. There are 18 principal Puranas, such as the Skanda Purana, Vayu Purana, Agni Purana, Markandeya Purana, and Padma Purana.
Other important texts
Smritis: This category includes texts that are considered to be remembered knowledge, written by humans. It encompasses a wide range of works, including law books like the Manusmriti, and other treatises on conduct and philosophy.
Tantras: A significant body of religious texts that developed alongside Vedic tradition, these works form their own distinct system with a unique set of beliefs and practices.
Shastras: These are a variety of texts that include philosophical systems and codes of conduct. Examples include the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Nyāya Sūtras