Indian Religious Books for RAS/RTS (Rajasthan) Prelims and Mains Examination

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Puranas Divided into sarga, pratisarga, manvantantar, vamsa (genealogical list of kings) &
vamsanucharita. 18 main puranas & 18 subsidiary puranas.
Vedas Meaning “knowledge”. Rigveda (hymns), Yajurveda (sacrificial formulae), Atharvaveda
(magical charms & spell), Samveda. Vedas are called aparusheya (not created by man) &
nity
Upanishads About 200 in number. Deal with philosophy. Oldest & most important are Chhandogya &
Brihadranyaka. Other important are Kathak, Isa, Mundaka, Prasna etc. Do not believe in
sacrificial ceremonies.
Brahmanas Talks about vedic hymns, their application, stories of their origin. Each Brahmana is
associated with one of the four VedasAitareya brahmana is associated with Rig Veda &
Satapatha Brahmana with Yajur Veda.
Aranyakas Meaning ‘the forest books’. They discuss philosophical meditation  & sacrifice.
Vedangas Evolved for proper understanding of the Vedas. Six in all: Siksha (phonetics), Kalpa
(rituals), Vyakarna, Nirukta (Etymology) Chhanda (metrics) & Jyotisha.
Vedanta Advaita Vedanta of Adi Sankara.

 

 

 

 

Ancient Books & Authors

1. Mudrakshasha (Chandragupta Maurya defeating the Nandas); Vishakhadatta
Devichandraguptam
2. Malavikagnimitram (Pushyamitra Sunga) Kalidas
3. Gudavaho (Yasovarman of Kannauj) Vakpati
4. Vikramanakadevacharita (Chalukya king Vikramaditya) Bilhana
5. Kumarapalacharita Jayasimha
6. Hammirakavya Nyayachandra
7. Dvayashraya Mahakavya; Sapta Sadhana Hemchandra
8. Navashasankacharita Padmagupta
9. Bhojaprabandha Billal
10. Prithvirajcharita Chandrabardai
11. Meghaduta; Raghuvamsa; Kumarasambhava; Vikramorvasiyam Kalidas
Abhijnanashakuntalam (Drama);
12. Mrichakatika Sudraka
13. Uttarama-Charita; Malati Madhava Bhavbhuti
14. Amarakosha Amarasimha
15. SI-YU-KI Hiuen Tsang
16. Brahmasiddhanta; Khandakhadya Brahmagupta
17. Dasakumaracharita Dandin
18. Astanga-Sangraha; Astanga-Hirdaya-Samhita Vagabhatta
19. Panchsiddhantika; Suryasiddhanta; Brihatsamhita Varahamihira
20. Karpuramanjari; Bala Ramayana; Bala Bharata; Kavyamimamsa; Rajshekhara
Bhuvana Kosha; Haravilasa
21. Adinathacharita (Jaina Narrative) Vardhamana
22. Shantinathacharita (Jaina Narrative) Devachandra
23. Parsvanathacharita (Jaina Narrative) Devabhadra
24. Prithviraja Vijay Jayanka
25. Karnasundari Bilhana
26. Saraswati Kanthabharana Bhoja
27. Dasharupa Dhananjaya
28. Harikeli Nataka Visaladeva
29. Prasannaraghava Jayadeva
30. Siddhanta Shiromani [4 parts – Lilavati, Bijaganita, Grahaganita & Bhaskaracharya
Gola (on Astronomy)]
31. Rajmariganka (On Astronomy) King Bhoja
32. Chikitsakalika or Yogamala Tisata-Vagbhatta’s Son
33. Mitakasara Vijnanaeshvara
34. Nitishastra (On Polity) Mathara
35. Nitisara  (On Polity) Kamandaka
36. Sushruta Samhita (encyclopedia on surgery) Sushruta
37. Charaka Samhita (Teachings of Atreya) Charaka
38. Buddhacharita, Vajrasuchi, Suandarananda Asvaghosha
39. Mahabhasya Patanjali
40. Harshacharita, Kadambari Banabhatta
41. Ravan Vadha Bhattin

 

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Indian religious texts are a vast and complex body of literature that has shaped the beliefs and practices of millions of people for centuries. These texts cover a wide range of topics, from the nature of reality to the path to liberation, and they offer insights into the human condition that are as relevant today as they were when they were first written.

One of the most important Indian religious texts is the Vedas. The Vedas are a collection of hymns, rituals, and philosophical texts that are considered to be the oldest scriptures of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism. The Vedas are divided into four parts: the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda, and the Atharva Veda. Each Veda is further divided into several books, and each book contains a variety of hymns, rituals, and philosophical texts.

The Vedas are considered to be apaurusheya, or “not of human origin.” This means that they are believed to have been revealed to the sages of ancient India by the gods. The Vedas are also considered to be shruti, or “heard.” This means that they are believed to have been passed down orally from generation to generation, and that they are not the product of human invention.

The Vedas are the foundation of Hinduism, and they continue to be studied and revered by Hindus today. The Vedas offer a unique perspective on the nature of reality and the human condition, and they provide a framework for understanding the Hindu tradition.

Another important Indian religious text is the Upanishads. The Upanishads are a collection of philosophical texts that are considered to be the essence of the Vedas. The Upanishads explore the nature of reality, the soul, and the relationship between the individual and the divine. They also offer insights into the path to liberation, or moksha.

The Upanishads are considered to be the most important texts of Hinduism, and they have had a profound influence on the development of Hindu thought. The Upanishads are still studied and revered by Hindus today, and they continue to offer insights into the human condition that are as relevant today as they were when they were first written.

In addition to the Vedas and the Upanishads, there are many other important Indian religious texts. These include the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas, the Smritis, the Puranas, the Agamas, the Tantras, the Yoga/”>Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana, The Mahabharata, the Manu Smriti, the Arthashastra, the Nyaya Sutras, the Vaisheshika Sutras, the Yoga Sutras, the Samkhya Karika, the Mimamsa Sutras, the Vedanta Sutras, the Dvaita Vedanta, the Advaita Vedanta, the Visistadvaita Vedanta, the ShAkta Tantras, the Shaiva Tantras, and the Vaishnava Tantras.

These texts cover a wide range of topics, from the nature of reality to the path to liberation, and they offer insights into the human condition that are as relevant today as they were when they were first written. Indian religious texts are a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in Learning more about Hinduism, Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Islam, or Christianity.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about Indian Religious Books:

  1. What are the four Vedas?
    The four Vedas are the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda, and the Atharva Veda. They are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism and are considered to be the foundation of Hindu religion and culture.

  2. What are the Upanishads?
    The Upanishads are a collection of philosophical texts that are part of the Vedas. They are considered to be the source of Hindu philosophy and contain teachings on topics such as Brahman, Atman, and Moksha.

  3. What is the Bhagavad Gita?
    The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu scripture that is part of the Mahabharata. It is a dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna, who is an incarnation of the god Vishnu. The Gita is considered to be one of the most important Hindu scriptures and contains teachings on topics such as karma, dharma, and yoga.

  4. What is the Ramayana?
    The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic poem that tells the story of Rama, a prince who is exiled from his kingdom and must fight to reclaim his throne. The Ramayana is one of the most popular Hindu texts and is considered to be a classic of Indian Literature.

  5. What is the Mahabharata?
    The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic poem that tells the story of the Kurukshetra War. The Mahabharata is one of the longest epic poems in the world and is considered to be one of the most important Hindu texts.

  6. Who are the main Hindu gods and goddesses?
    The main Hindu gods and goddesses include Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Durga. Brahma is the creator god, Vishnu is the preserver god, and Shiva is the destroyer god. Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, and Durga is the goddess of power.

  7. What are the main Hindu festivals?
    The main Hindu festivals include Diwali, Holi, and Durga puja. Diwali is the festival of lights, Holi is the festival of colors, and Durga Puja is the festival of the goddess Durga.

  8. What are the main Hindu pilgrimage sites?
    The main Hindu pilgrimage sites include the Ganges River, the Himalayas, and the temples of Tirupati, Madurai, and Varanasi. The Ganges River is considered to be sacred by Hindus, the Himalayas are considered to be the home of the gods, and the temples of Tirupati, Madurai, and Varanasi are some of the most important Hindu temples in India.

  9. What are the main Hindu practices?
    The main Hindu practices include puja, yoga, and meditation. Puja is a form of worship that involves offering prayers and sacrifices to the gods, yoga is a system of physical and mental exercises, and meditation is a practice of focusing the mind.

  10. What are the main Hindu beliefs?
    The main Hindu beliefs include the belief in Brahman, the belief in Atman, and the belief in reincarnation. Brahman is the ultimate reality, Atman is the individual soul, and reincarnation is the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

I hope this helps!

  1. The Rig Veda is the oldest of the four Vedas, and is a collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns. It is one of the most important texts of Hinduism.
  2. The Yajur Veda is a collection of Vedic Sanskrit sacrificial formulas. It is one of the four Vedas, and is considered to be the most important text for Vedic ritual.
  3. The Sama Veda is a collection of Vedic Sanskrit melodies. It is one of the four Vedas, and is considered to be the most important text for Vedic chanting.
  4. The Atharva Veda is a collection of Vedic Sanskrit spells and incantations. It is one of the four Vedas, and is considered to be the most important text for Vedic magic.
  5. The Upanishads are a collection of Hindu philosophical texts. They are considered to be the most important texts of Hinduism, and are the source of many Hindu beliefs and practices.
  6. The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu scripture that is part of the Mahabharata. It is a dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna, who is an incarnation of the god Vishnu. The Bhagavad Gita is considered to be one of the most important texts of Hinduism, and is a source of many Hindu beliefs and practices.
  7. The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic poem that tells the story of Rama, a prince who is exiled from his kingdom and must fight to regain his throne. The Ramayana is one of the most important texts of Hinduism, and is a source of many Hindu beliefs and practices.
  8. The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic poem that tells the story of the Kurukshetra War. The Mahabharata is one of the longest epic poems in the world, and is considered to be one of the most important texts of Hinduism.
  9. The Puranas are a collection of Hindu texts that are considered to be historical accounts of the universe. The Puranas are a source of many Hindu beliefs and practices.

  10. The Tantras are a collection of Hindu texts that are considered to be sacred texts. The Tantras are a source of many Hindu beliefs and practices.

  11. The Vedas are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. They are a collection of hymns, rituals, and philosophical texts that were written in Sanskrit. The Vedas are considered to be the most sacred texts of Hinduism, and are the foundation of Hindu religion and culture.

  12. The Upanishads are a collection of philosophical texts that are part of the Vedas. They are considered to be the source of Hindu philosophy, and discuss topics such as the nature of reality, the soul, and liberation.
  13. The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu scripture that is part of the Mahabharata. It is a dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna, who is an incarnation of the god Vishnu. The Bhagavad Gita is considered to be one of the most important texts of Hinduism, and discusses topics such as the nature of duty, the nature of God, and the path to liberation.
  14. The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic poem that tells the story of Rama, a prince who is exiled from his kingdom and must fight to regain his throne. The Ramayana is one of the most important texts of Hinduism, and is a source of many Hindu beliefs and practices.
  15. The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic poem that tells the story of the Kurukshetra War. The Mahabharata is one of the longest epic poems in the world, and is considered to be one of the most important texts of Hinduism.
  16. The Puranas are a collection of Hindu texts that are considered to be historical accounts of the universe. The Puranas are a source of many Hindu beliefs and practices.

  17. The Tantras are a collection of Hindu texts that are considered to be sacred texts. The Tantras are a source of many Hindu beliefs and practices.

  18. The Vedas are divided into four parts: the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda, and the Atharva Veda. The Rig Veda is the oldest and most important Veda, and is a collection of hymns. The Yajur Veda is a collection of sacrificial formulas. The Sama Veda is a collection of melodies. The Atharva Veda is a collection of spells and incantations.

  19. The Upanishads are divided into four parts: the Samhitas, the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas, and the Upanishads. The Samhitas are the oldest part of the Upanishads, and are a collection of hymns. The Brahmanas are a collection of sacrificial formulas. The Aranyakas are a collection of forest texts. The Upanishads are the philosophical texts of the Upanishads.
  20. The Bhagavad Gita is divided into 18 chapters. The first chapter introduces the characters and the setting of the
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