Shruti
The Four Vedas
The oldest Sanskrit layers of hymn, ritual, song, and sacred invocation.
IncludesRig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva VedaA reading room for the sacred traditions
Hindu Vedas Research Workstation Library
Begin with the text that meets your question. This guide groups major Hindu scripture families by their voice and purpose, while honoring the many languages, lineages, and interpretations through which they continue to live.
Philosophical scripture
The Upanishads
Interior inquiry into Atman, Brahman, consciousness, and liberation.
IncludesIsha, Kena, Katha, Prashna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taittiriya, Chandogya, BrihadaranyakaItihasa
Ramayana
An epic of dharma, devotion, kingship, loyalty, and the return of order.
IncludesValmiki Ramayana, Ramcharitmanas, regional retellingsItihasa
Mahabharata
A vast meditation on duty, family, power, war, fate, and moral ambiguity.
IncludesAdi Parva through Svargarohana Parva, including the Bhagavad GitaYoga and devotion
Bhagavad Gita
Krishna's teaching on action, knowledge, meditation, devotion, and release.
Includes18 chapters within the Bhishma Parva of the MahabharataMythic and devotional tradition
The Puranas
Cosmology, sacred geography, divine stories, lineages, festivals, and bhakti.
IncludesBhagavata, Vishnu, Shiva, Devi, Markandeya, Garuda, and other PuranasTemple and contemplative traditions
Agamas and Tantras
Living systems for worship, mantra, iconography, temple design, and practice.
IncludesShaiva, Vaishnava Pancharatra, Shakta, and related ritual bodiesEthics and disciplined life
Dharma and Sutra texts
Short, structured teachings on conduct, yoga, ritual, law, and liberation.
IncludesYoga Sutras, Brahma Sutras, Dharma Sutras, and selected Smriti textsFeatured reader
Atharva Veda
healing, protection, earth, rites, and the imported volume reader
Featured reader
Vishnu Purana
cosmology, avatars, dynasties, Krishna, and linked story pages with the full text source
Featured reader
Shiva Purana
Rudra, Sati, jyotirlingas, Karttikeya, Ganesa, and war cantos