Hinduism is an ancient religion, with denominations such as Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, among others. Each tradition has a long list of Hindu texts, with subgenre based on syncretization of ideas from Samkhya, Nyaya, Yoga, Vedanta and other schools of Hindu philosophy.Mikel Burley (2012), Classical Samkhya and Yoga - An Indian Metaphysics of Experience, Routledge, , page 39-41;Lloyd Pflueger, Person Purity and Power in Yogasutra, in Theory and Practice of Yoga (Editor: Knut Jacobsen), Motilal Banarsidass, , pages 38-39Knut Jacobsen (2008), Theory and Practice of Yoga : 'Essays in Honour of Gerald James Larson, Motilal Banarsidass, , pages 77-78;;; Of these some called Sruti are broadly considered as core scriptures of Hinduism, but beyond the Sruti, the list of scriptures vary by the scholar.Dominic Goodall (1996), Hindu Scriptures, University of California Press, , page ix-xi, xx-xxi
Several lists include only the Vedas, the Principal Upanishads, the Agamas and the Bhagavad Gita as scriptures broadly accepted by Hindus.RC Zaehner (1992), Hindu Scriptures, Penguin Random House, , pages 1-11 and Preface Goodall adds regional texts such as Bhagavata Purana and Yajnavalkya Smriti to the list. Beyond the Sruti, Hindu texts include Smritis, Shastras, Sutras, Tantras, Puranas, Itihasas, Stotras, Subhashitas and others.Ludo Rocher (1986), The Puranas, Otto Harrassowitz Verlag,
Most of these texts exist in Sanskrit, and Old Tamil, and also later in other Indic languages. In modern times, most have been translated into other Indian languages and some in Western languages.Sargeant, Winthrop, Introduction to The Bhagavad Gita at 3 (New York, 1984) Swami Nikhilananda, The Upanishads: A New Translation Vol. I, at 3 (5th Ed. 1990) This list includes major Hindu texts, along with the Hindu scriptures.
A Abhinavabharati: a Sanskrit commentary on Natyasastra, by Abhinavagupta on the dramatic theory of Bharata Muni. Achyuta Shataka: a Prakrit hymn by Vedanta Desika in praise of Krishna. Adhyatma Ramayanam _ Ezhutacchan in Malayalam... Athichudi: an important Tamil scripture sung and written by Avvaiyar. Abhang devotional poetry requires authentication Abirami Antaati __ A Tamil work in praise of the goddess Abirami composed by Abirami Bhattar . Agama: Collection of several Jain literature and scriptures of Hindu devotional schools. Amalanaathipiran __ A Tamil Vaishnava work by Tiruppan Aalvar . Amrutanubhav: Composition by the Marathi saint and poet Jñāneśvar Amuktamalyada (Telugu: ): A Telugu epic poem composed by Krishnadevaraya, the ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, in the early 16th century. It describes the legendary wedding of the Hindu deity Ranganayaka, an avatar of Vishnu, and Andal, one of the poet-saints called the Alvars, at Srirangam. Andhra Mahabharatam (Telugu: ): The Telugu version of Mahabharatha written by the Kavitrayam (Trinity of poets), consisting of Nannayya, Tikkana and Yerrapragada (also known as Errana). The three poets translated the Mahabharata from Sanskrit into Telugu over the period of the 11–14th centuries CE. (): Part of the Vedas, the third layer embedded inside them. Arthashastra: Ancient treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy written by Chanakya (Vishnugupta). Arpudha Tiruvandhaadi __ A Tamil devotional collection by Karaikal Ammaiyar Arunaachala Aksharamanamaalai __ Composed by Ramana Maharishi (Tamil) on plea of devotee .. Arunaachala Patikam __ Composed by Tiru Ramana Munigal (Tamil) .. Arunaachala Pancharatnam __ Composed by Ramana Munigal. Āryabhaṭīya: An ancient Sanskrit astronomical treatise by Indian mathematician Aryabhata Arya-Sidhanta: Work on astronomical computations, by ancient mathematicians Aryabhata, Varāhamihira, Brahmagupta and Bhāskara I. Akilathirattu Ammanai: A 19th century Tamil Vaishnavite text and the primary scripture of Ayyavazhi sect. Ashtavakra Gita: text of conversation between Ashtavakra and King Janaka. Anugita: A Sanskrit text that contains a second discourse of Krishna to Arjuna, following the Kurukshetra war.
B
Basava Purana (Telugu: ) : A 13th-century Telugu epic poem written by Palkuriki Somanatha. It is a sacred text of Lingayat. The epic poem narrates the life story of philosopher and social reformer Basava (1134–1196 CE), the founder of Lingayat. Basha Karnamritam __ Attributed to Poonthanam. ( Malayalam) . Baudhayana sutras: Vedic Sanskrit texts covering dharma, daily ritual, mathematics. (): The national gospel contained in Mahābhārata, Part of the epic poem Mahabharata, located in the Bhishma-Parva chapters 23–40. A core sacred text of Hinduism and philosophy. Bhagavata Purana: one of the "Maha" Puranic texts of Hindu literature, and is Sanskrit for "The Book of God". Bharude, Ovya: devotional poetry. Bhavarth Ramayan: Marathi version of the Ramayana written by Sant Eknath in the 16th century Bījagaṇita: Ancient Indian mathematics, algebra textbook by Indian mathematician Bhāskara II Brahmana: one of the parts into which the Vedas are divided, and are its second layer. Brahmasphuṭasiddhanta: written by ancient mathematician Brahmagupta in which hindu number system, zero, Brahmagupta's Bijganit, algebra with arithmetic is mentioned. Brahma Vaivarta Purana: Sanskrit scripture, One of the 18 major Puranas. Brihat Samhita: An encyclopedic work by Varāhamihira on architecture, temples, planetary motions, eclipses, timekeeping, astrology, seasons, cloud formation, rainfall, agriculture, mathematics, gemology, perfumes and many other topics.
C Classics of Indian Mathematics: Algebra, with Arithmetic and Mensuration, from the Sanskrit of Brahmagupta and Bhāskara. Chanakyaniti: collection of aphorisms, said to be selected by Chanakya from the various shastras Chatuh Shloki: A Sanskrit hymn by Yamunacharya in praise of Lakshmi.
D Dasbodh: 16th century devotional and spiritual text by the saint Samarth Ramdas Dayashataka: A Sanskrit hymn by Vedanta Desika in praise of Venkateswara. Devi Bhagavata Purana : Religious scripture based on goddess. Dharmaśāstra: Sanskrit theological text. Dnyaneshwari -(Marathi: ज्ञानेश्वरी) (IAST:'Jñānēśvarī) is a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita written by the Marathi saint and poet Dnyaneshwar in the 13th century.
G Garga Samhita: Significant Vaishnavite scripture based on Radha Krishna and written by Sage Garga. Garuda Dandaka: A Sanskrit hymn by Vedanta Desika in praise of Garuda. Gita Govinda : Devotional poetry written by Jayadev Goswami, based on Radha Krishna. Gopalavimshati: A Sanskrit hymn by Vedanta Desika in praise of Krishna. Gunamala (Assamese: গুণমালা) is a scripture written by 15th–16th century Assamese polymath: a saint-scholar, poet, playwright, social-religious reformer Sankardev within one night at the request of Koch king Nara Narayan in 1552.
H Hatha Yoga Pradipika: is one of the fundamental text of Hatha Yoga including information about asanas, pranayama, chakras, kundalini, bandhas, kriyas, shakti, nadis and mudras. It was written by Swami Swatmarama in the 15th century CE. Haripath: is a collection of twenty-eight abhanga (poems) revealed to the thirteenth-century Marathi Saint, Dnyaneshwar.
I Itihasas – meaning history. In Hindu religious context this term refers to the Mahabharata and the Ramayana because writer of the story has themselves witnessed the stories of both epics.
J Jnanappana _ Malayalam work devoted to Guruvayur Appan by the poet saint Poonthanam.
K
Kalahastiswara Satakamu __ Composed by Dhurjati; one of the Asthadiggas in the court of Sri Krishnadevaraya. It praises the lord of Srikalahasti. ( Telugu ) Kamba Ramayanam (): 12th century Tamil version of Ramayana, by the Tamil poet Kambar Kandha Guru Kavasam _ A Tamil work in praise of Kartikeyan by Devaraya Swamigal Kandhar Alangaaram _ A Tamil work in praise of Kandhan by Arunagirinaathar. Kandhar Antaati _ A Tamil treatise composed by Arunagirinaathar. Kandhar Anubhooti _ A Tamil work in praise of Murugan by Arunagirinaathar. Kandha Shasthi Kavasam _ A Tamil work in praise of Kumaran, composed by Devaraya Swamigal. Kannan Paatu _ Tamil songs composed by the 19th century poet saint Bharatiyar on Lord Krishna. Karunaakarakk Kadavul __ Composed by Taayumanavar .. Khaṇḍakhādyaka (meaning "edible bite; morsel of food") is an astronomical treatise written by Indian mathematician and astronomer Brahmagupta in 665 A.D. Kirtan Ghosha (কীৰ্ত্তন) It is a collection of poetical works, primarily composed by the medieval saint Srimanta Sankardev meant for community singing in the Ekasarana religion. Krishna Andaadi : A Tamil Hindu work by Kaviarasar Kannadasan. Krishna Gatha _ A Malayalam poetic work attributed to Cherussery Namboothiri. Krishna Kavasam : A Tamil Hindu text by Kaviarasar Kannadasan. Krishna Manimaalai : A Tamil Hindu text composed by the 20th century poet Kaviarasar Kannadasan . Kumārasambhava: epic poem about the birth of Kumara (Kārtikeya), the son of Shiva and Parvati, by classical Sanskrit author, playwright and dramatist Kālidāsa.
L Lilavati: book on including maths and algebra written by Indian mathematician Bhāskara II in 1150 Lal kitab
M Malla Purana: An ancient text on Malla-yuddha, an ancient form of Indian combat wrestling, which describes techniques of wrestling, types of exercises etc. Meenakshi Amman Pillaitamil ( மீனாட்சி அம்மன் பிள்ளைத்தமிழ்) : Tamil Hindu songs composed on the presiding deity of Madurai; Meenakshi. Composed by Kumarakuruparar. Meghadūta: Poem by Classical Sanskrit author, playwright and dramatist Kālidāsa. Mahatmyam: Hindu religious text, part of the Markandeya Purana Muthukumara Saamy Pillaitamil ( முத்துக்குமார சாமி பிள்ளைத்தமிழ் ) : A Tamil Hindu work sung in praise of the Lord Muruga by Kumarakuruparar.
N Naam Ghosa (Assamese: নামঘোষা) is a Vaishnavite scripture of verses in praise of Lord Krishna. This book was written by Madhabdev in Assamese in about 1568–1596. Naalayira Divya Prabhandham (Tamil: நாலாயிர திவ்ய பிரபந்தம்) is a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses (Naalayiram in Tamil means 'four thousand') composed before 8th century AD, by the 12 Alvars, and was compiled in its present form by Nathamuni during the 9th – 10th centuries. The work is the beginning of the canonization of the 12 Vaishnava poet saints, and these hymns are still sung extensively even today. The works were lost before they were collected and organized in the form of an anthology by Nathamuni. Natyashastra: Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts, attributed to ancient Indian theatrologist and musicologist sage Bharata Muni. It consists of 36 chapters with a cumulative total of 6000 poetic verses describing performance arts.
P Pādams of Annamacharya __ 14000 songs survives inscribed in copper plates and is one of the greatest masterpieces of Telugu devotional poetry literature. Padma Purana: Sanskrit scripture, One of the 18 major Puranas. Paduka Sahasra: A Sanskrit hymn by Vedanta Desika in praise of the sandals of Rama. Pañcāmirutha Vaṇṇam : Tamil work attributed to Pamban Swamigal. Pāñchaali Sabatham ( பாஞ்சாலி சபதம் ] : A Tamil Hindu work attributed to the great poet saint reformer of the 19th century Bharatiyar . This work is based on the theme of the vow taken by Draupadi alias Pānchali to avenge the Kauravas . Paraaparakkanni __ A collection of 389 hymns in (Kanni manner) sung by Taayumanavar.( Tamil) Paripūraṇāṉantha Bōtham _ Tamil Hindu work attributed to the works of Pamban Swamigal. Patthu Pirapantham _ A Tamil Hindu work composed by Pamban Swamigal. Purana (): Purana meaning "ancient" or "old" is the name of a genre (or a group of related genres) of Indian written literature (as distinct from oral literature). Its general themes are history, tradition and religion. It is usually written in the form of stories related by one person to another.