The Sacred Writings of Hinduism

Hinduism can lay claim to being the world’s oldest religion, dating back more than 5,000 years; but in fact it was not generally recognized as a specific, distinct religion until relatively recent times, and the word Hindu itself derives from a Persian word referring to the peoples of the Indus River region. Hinduism was not founded by any one person, nor can it be traced to one specific period in time. There is no ecclesiastical structure or centralized authority no set creed, no single doctrine of salvation, no single sacred book. But, as diverse as it is, Hinduism nevertheless contains unifying strands and beliefs.

Hindu literature comprises a vast body of work, the earliest being written in Sanskrit after having been passed down orally by sages (risbi) through the centuries. There are two principal categories of books:

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