The document summarizes various texts of Vedic and allied Vedic literature in India: - The Brahmanas were written after the Vedas and are of historical value, providing guidance for hermits and students living in forests. - The Upanishads are philosophical commentaries on the Vedas discussing concepts like karma, moksha, and maya. Some famous Upanishads mentioned are the Chandogya, Kena, Aitareya, and Taittiriya. - Allied Vedic texts include the Vedangas on pronunciation and grammar of the Vedas; Sutras on rituals, family ceremonies, and rules of conduct; Darshanas as six schools of philosophy

1. (ii) The Brahmanas
• Written after the vedas
• The Brahmanas are of great historical value

2. (iii) The Aranyakas
• They are known as “ forest books” written for the guidance of the
Hermits and the students living in forest. They form the concluding
part of the Brahmanas their main themes are the mysticiam and
Philosophy.

3. (iv) The Upanishads
• They are philosophical commentaries on the vedas the doctrines such as
karma, moksha and Maya.
• The most famous of these Upanishads are the chandagovya upanishad,
kena upanishad, Aitareya upanishad and taittirya upanishad

4. Allied Vedic Literature

5. (i) The Vendangas
• They deal with ways in which the vedas ought to be chanted, and are
Thus important in the understanding of the vedas.
• The six rendangas deal with pronunciation, grammar, etymology,
metrics and astronomy.

6. (ii) The Suntras
• They are Divided into three groups: the Srautasutras, which deal with
yajna and sacrifices; the Grihyasutras or Smartasutras which deal with
the ceremonies connected with the family life. And the Dharmasutras,
which provide rules of conduct for the various classes of people and
the various stages in their life.

7. (iv) Darshanas
• There are six schools of Indian philosophy known as shad-
Darshanas. They include- Nyaya Darshana, Vaishesika, Sankhya,
Yoga, Purva Mimamsa and Utter Mimamsa. They all propagate the
virtues of life and are opposed to external rituals.

8. (v) The Dharmashastras
• The law- books called the Dharmasutras and the Smritis together with
their commentaries.
• Dharmashastras: they lay down the duties for different classes of
people as well as for kings and their officials: Manusmriti gives the
description of Hindu code of law including the Varnas ( the Castes)
and the Ashramas.

9. (vi) The Ashtadhyay
• It is a treatise on Sanskrit grammar by Panini. Information is given
about the roots of the words and the content in which they were used
in Vedic Literature