The word "smriti" is a Sanskrit term that refers to canonical texts in Hinduism. It is pronounced as /smrɪti/ according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first sound /sm/ is a consonant cluster consisting of the voiceless alveolar fricative (/s/) and the voiced bilabial nasal (/m/), followed by the short vowel sound /ɪ/. The final sound /ti/ is a combination of the voiceless alveolar plosive (/t/) and the long vowel sound /i:/, which is pronounced as an extended version of the short /ɪ/ sound.
Smriti is a Sanskrit term that derives from the root word "smri," which means "to remember." In Hinduism, smriti refers to a category of sacred texts, scriptures, or laws that are authored by humans. These texts are considered to be secondary in importance to the Vedas, which are the primary texts in Hinduism. Smriti encompasses a vast collection of works that provide guidance on various aspects of life, including ethics, social norms, rituals, laws, and governance.
The smriti texts are composed by revered sages and scholars who have interpreted and codified the principles outlined in the Vedas. They are regarded as inspired works of wisdom and hold authoritative status within Hindu tradition. Examples of prominent smriti texts include the Manusmriti or the Laws of Manu, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata (including the Bhagavad Gita), and the Puranas.
These texts play a crucial role in shaping Hindu society by elucidating moral and ethical values, outlining rituals and ceremonies, asserting societal roles and responsibilities, and offering profound philosophical insights. Smriti texts reflect the cultural context and evolutionary nature of Hinduism, adapting to changing circumstances while upholding the core principles of Dharma (righteousness).
Overall, smriti refers to a vast corpus of sacred Hindu scriptures produced by human authors, which, along with the Vedas, form the foundation of religious and social practices in Hindu society.
The word "smriti" is derived from Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language. In Sanskrit, "smriti" (स्मृति) is a noun, and it is derived from the root word "smṛ" (स्मृ), which means "to remember" or "to bear in mind".
In Hinduism, "smriti" refers to the body of traditional texts or scriptures that are based on human memory and were composed by sages and scholars over time. These texts include works such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Manusmriti, and various Puranas, among others. Smriti is believed to be less authoritative than Shruti, the sacred texts of Hinduism, which are considered to have a divine origin.