Understanding Shruti and Smriti
When studying Indian philosophy and culture, we come across two terms: Shruti and Smriti . Of course, most people who have studied about India in Western academia would have heard of Manu Smriti (although very few Indians themselves have heard of it-- I myself heard of Manu Smriti when I was living in Europe, and till date, haven't come across its original text). Manu Smriti is supposed to be a compilation of all forms of regressive thoughts and practices that are associated with Hinduism today, and it is often argued that even today Hindus are inexorably bound by the decrees and commandments of Manu Smriti . But what exactly are these Smritis ? The term Shruti means something that is heard or revealed. This is often construed to mean that the Shrutis represent knowledge that were orally passed from generation to generation, while Smritis were knowledge that were codified and recorded. This is not an accurate interpretation, as there are several Shrutis that are writ...