1. Ganesh Pooja
SHASTRAS DESCRIPTION PREACHING SOURCE
Vedas
The eternal Vedas are the fundamental scriptures of the Hindus. They were revealed by God to the enlightened rishis in samadhi. The four
vedas are the Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. They are a repository of spiritual and secular knowledge. All subsequent Hindu Scriptures are
based upon the principles found in the vedas.
Come together! Speak together! Let your hands be in
harmony, as the devas of old sat together in harmony
to worship.
­Rig Veda 10­191­
2
Upanishads
The Upanishads also called Vedanta, are the concluding part of the Vedas. They contain profound philosophical and spiritual truth. The
Upanishads are the head of Hindu Philosophy. The knowledge was preserved and transmitted through the guru­shishya tradition. There are
more than 108 Upanishads.
The whole world is pervaded by its ruler and controller
[God]. Enjoy or accept that which has been set apart
by Him. Do not desire another's wealth.
­
Ishavasyopanishad
I
Dharma
Shastras
The Dharma Shastras, such as, Manu Smruti, Yajnavalkya Smruti and others, lay down a code of conduct for individuals, communities,
and the State. They embrace the gamut of religious, moral, social, political, economical and legal realms. They deal with yajna rituals,
rites, and ceremonies from birth till death, and customs and manners to be observed in daily life.
Patience, forgiveness, austerity, non­stealing, purity,
restraining one's senses, intellect, knowledge, truth and
non­anger ­ these ten are the characteristics of dharma.
­Manu Smruti
6.92
Ramayana
The Ramayana is a poetic account of the life and adventures of Bhagwan Rama. It describes Rama's exile, Sita's kidnapping by Ravana
and the subequent war to rescue her. Sage Valmiki highlights Rama's qualities as an ideal person, family man and leader. Tulsidas
highlights the divine qualities of Rama as an incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu in the Ramacharitmanas. Bhagwan Rama incarnated to
destroy evil and re­establish Dharma.
In the universe God alone is truth. Dharma can sustain
itself only on this truth. This truth is the root of
everything. There is nothing higher to be achieved.
­Valmiki
Ramayana
(Ayodhyakanda
109.13)
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata scripture culminates in the 18­day epic war between teh forces of good and evil. the noble Pandavas emerged victorious
against their evil cousins, the Kauravas, through the guidance and divine powers of Bhagwan Krishna. The Mahabharata is considered to
be the fifth Veda. It covers all aspects of human life.
Truth protects dharma, Repeating [what one has learnt]
preserves knowledge. Bathing sustains beauty.
Character preserves one's lineage.
­Mahabharata
5.34.39
Bhagavad
Gita
The Bhagvad Gita is the divine discourse of bhagwan Krishna to Arjuna, inspiring him to do his duty as a Kshatriya in the Mahabharata
war. Arjuna finally agrees and fights along with his brothers and the Pandava army to defeat the Kaouravas in the epic war. The Gita is a
prominent sacred text of Hinduism that deals with ethics, philosophy, metaphysics and shows the ideal way of living.
Resigning all your dharma (duties) to Me, take refuge
in Me alone. I shall deliver you from all sins; So do
not worry.
­Bhagvad Gita
18.66
HINDU SHASTRAS

2. Puranas
The 18 Maha­Puranas are a valuable source of ancient religious and hsitorical literature scribed by Veda Vyasa. They include beliefs and
practices like meditation on God, murti­puja, shraddha (rites to propitiate one's ancestors), duties of varnas, ashramas, etc. They also deal
with the glory of the avatars of God. The Shrimad Bhagvata is the most popular of all Maha­Puranas.
If a person maintains profound love towards the
Ekantik Sant of God just as resolutely as he maintains
profound love towareds his own relatives, then the
gateway ot moksha opens for him.
­Shrimad
Bhagavata 3.25.20
Agamas
Like the Vedas, the Agamas are believed to be revealed by God and are held in equal importance and authority by devout followers. They
deal with the nature of God, sacred living, means of worship, building of temples, consecration of images, yoga, creation and philosophy.
God is always with form. His murti is divine, having
the effulgence of millions of suns. He has two arms
and wears a pitambur (silk clothing).
­Kanvasamhita
5.27
Brahmasutra
Bhahmasutra, written by Veda Vyasa, is a philosophical text of 550 aphorisms that summarizes the teachings of the Upanishads. It
describes Parabrahman (God), Brahman (ideal devotee), jivatman (soul), states of consciousness, meditation, etc. It is one of the three
most important works of Hindu Philosophy, called the Prasthantrayl.
Now then [let us have] an enquiry about Brahman
[God].
­Brahmasutra
1.1.1
Upavedas
Complementing the four Vedas are four subsidiary texts called the Upavedas. They deal mainly with secular sciences such as Ayurveda
(science of medicine), gandharvaveda (science of music and dance), Dhanurveda (science of archery and war) and Sthapatyaveda (science
of architecture). They are believed to be very important for the development and sustenance of human society.
Just as sentinel guards the gates of a city or a
charioteer a chariot an intelligent person should take
care of his body.
­Charaka Samhita
5.103
Vachanamrut
The Vachanamrut is the fundamental theologicl and philosophical text of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. It was revealed and delivered in
dialogue form by Bhagwan Swaminarayan to his paramhansas and devotees. The Vachanamrut is believed to be the essence of all the
Hindu Shastras. It is read daily by hundreds of thousands of Swaminarayan devotees for spiritual inspiration and inner joy.
In the four Vedas, the Puranas and the Itihasa
scriptures, there is but one central principle, and that is
that only God and His Sant are the means of moksha.
­Vachanamrut
Gadhada II­59
Guru
In Hinduism the God­realized guru is considered to be the embodiment of the Vedas. His words and instructions are held to be sacred and
the means to spiritual progress progress for the disciple. It is through the guru that one understands the true meaning of the scriptures,
develops faith in them and finds the inspiration to abide by them. Through an intense spiritual bond with the guru one realizes one's own
atman and is also blessed with a direct realization of God.
We have sustained ourselves through difficulties and
challenges because of our scriptural tradition. For
inner peace and happiness we mus tread our shastras.
­Pramukh Swami
Maharaj
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