Sanskrit literature can be broadly categorized into four main types:
1. **Vedic Literature**:
– The Vedas are considered apauruṣeya, meaning they are not authored by humans, and they encompass complete texts like the Upanishads. This category is referred to as Vedanta.
– **Vedangas**: This includes various disciplines such as phonetics, grammar, etymology, metrics, arts, and astronomy, all of which were composed by scholars of that era and are regarded as integral parts of the Vedas.
2. **Shastras and Smriti Texts**:
– This section includes texts that originated from the Vedas, such as Nyaya Shastra (logic), Dharma Shastra (law), Ayurveda (medicine), Vastu Shastra (architecture), grammar, astrology, mathematics, and astronomy. These texts are scientifically rigorous in their composition.
3. **History and Puranas**:
– History is defined as an objective description of past events, while Puranas provide both objective accounts of history and symbolic descriptions of various events from the past.
4. **Poetry and Drama (Natya Shastra)**:
– Notable scholars and playwrights like Kalidasa, Bhasa, Harsha, Bhavabhuti, Magha, and Bhattanarayana have made significant contributions to Sanskrit literature. Their works showcase the poets’ creativity and insight.
### Key Works in Sanskrit Literature
– **Vedic Literature**:
– *Grammar*: Authored by Panini.
– **Smriti and Shastras**:
– *Dharma Shastra*: A detailed exposition on various aspects of Dharma/culture.
– **History and Puranas**:
– *Mahabharata*: Noted for its emphasis on peace (Shanta Rasa) and the Bhagavad Gita as a guide to liberation (Moksha). The *Bhagavata Purana* discusses devotion (Bhakti).
– **Poetic Works**:
– Notable epic poems include *Raghuvamsa*, *Kumarasambhava*, *Kiratarjuniya*, *Shishupala Vadha*, and *Naishadhiya Charita*.
– **Dramatic Works**:
– Includes plays like *Abhijnana Shakuntalam*, *Mrichchhakatika*, *Swapna Vasavadattam*, *Uttara Ramacharita*, *Venisamhara*, and *Mudrarakshasa*.
### Prominent Scholars in Sanskrit Literature
– **Bhartrihari**: Known for *Natyapadiya*.
– **Jayadeva**: Famous for *Gita Govinda*.
– **Kalidasa**: Renowned for works like *Shakuntala*, *Meghaduta*, and *Kumarasambhava*.
– **Adi Shankaracharya**: Known for his philosophical treatises on Advaita Vedanta.
– **Sushruta**: Authored the *Sushruta Samhita* on medicine.
– **Charaka**: Known for the *Charaka Samhita* on Ayurveda.
– **Panini**: Famous for his work *Ashtadhyayi* on grammar.
– **Bhaskaracharya**: Known for his mathematical work in *Lilavati*.
– **Varahamihira**: Authored texts like *Pancha Siddhantika*.
This categorization highlights the richness of Sanskrit literature across various fields including philosophy, science, poetry, drama, and law.
