smriti

Smriti is a term in Hinduism that designates a broad category of scriptures and literary works remembered or human-authored, as opposed to Shruti, which is considered divinely revealed. The word smriti comes from Sanskrit and means “memory” or “that which is remembered.” Smriti literature covers a wide range of texts, including epics, Puranas, and Dharma Shastras, as well as treatises on law, ethics, and social duties.

Major examples of Smriti include the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana, the Puranas such as the Bhagavata and Vishnu Purana, and the Dharma Shastras that outline codes of conduct and law. Prominent Smriti authors and compilers include figures associated with texts such as Manusmriti (the Laws of Manu), Narada Smriti, Yajnavalkya Smriti, and Brihaspati Smriti. These works were composed by various authors over centuries and reflect a range of regional and sectarian contexts, customs, and legal ideas.

In Hindu tradition, Smriti texts are used for normative guidance and practical conduct, but their authority is generally regarded as subordinate to Shruti. Different schools of Hindu law and philosophy may prioritize different Smriti authorities or interpretive approaches, leading to diverse legal and ethical norms.

Smriti also appears as a personal name in modern times, used for both girls and, less commonly, boys, and it carries the meaning of memory or remembrance in several Indian languages.

Overall, Smriti literature has played a central role in shaping religious practice, social norms, and cultural traditions in the Hindu intellectual landscape, serving as a dynamic, historically situated complement to the perceived divine revelation of Shruti.