Scriptures

The Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, epics and Puranas.

The VedasA guide to the four Vedas, the oldest Hindu scriptures: what they contain, how they were composed and passed down, and why they still matter.
The UpanishadsAn introduction to the Upanishads, the philosophical heart of the Vedas: what they teach, the principal texts, famous passages and their influence.
The Bhagavad GitaAn introduction to the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna's teaching to Arjuna on the battlefield: its setting, structure, main teachings and influence.
The RamayanaA guide to the Ramayana, the epic of Rama and Sita: its author, its seven books, the story in brief, its many versions and its place in Hindu life.
The MahabharataA guide to the Mahabharata, the world's longest epic poem: its story of the Pandavas and Kauravas, its main characters, its eighteen books and its lasting influence.
The PuranasAn introduction to the Puranas, the great storehouses of Hindu mythology: what they contain, the eighteen major Puranas, the Bhagavata Purana and their role in everyday Hinduism.
Shruti and Smriti: How Hindu Scriptures Are ClassifiedThe difference between shruti, revealed scripture, and smriti, remembered tradition, and where texts such as the Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, epics and Puranas fit.
The Yoga Sutras of PatanjaliA guide to Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, the classic text of yoga philosophy: its four chapters, the definition of yoga, the eight limbs, the obstacles of the mind and the goal of liberation.
The Dharmashastras and the Laws of ManuWhat the Dharmashastras are, what the Laws of Manu (Manusmriti) teach, how these texts shaped Hindu law under British rule and after, and why they remain controversial.
The Agamas and TantrasThe Agamas and Tantras, the scriptures behind Hindu temple worship, ritual and meditation: their traditions, contents and the true meaning of Tantra.