The History of Indian Philosophy

Literature of the Epic Period

Itihasa and Purana

Generally, literature of the Epic period is considered Smti (that which has been
remembered), as distinguished from ruti (that which has been heard), the more sacred,
revealed literature of the Vedas. Some Puras are considered revealed literature by some
religious sects, especially the Vaiavas (devotees of Vishnu).

#ithas
Itihsa
Itihasa: (history) the collective term for the great epics:
The Rmyaa
The Mahbhrata
The Bhagavad Gt

pura[
Pura
Purana: the Bibles of Hinduism, a class of literature important in popular religious traditions.
The Puranas are traditionally considered to have five characteristic topics: 1) sarga, creation of
the world; 2) pratisarga, dissolution of the world; 3) manvantara, descriptions of the world ages
(kalpas); 4) vaa, genealogies; 5) vanucarita, stories about the deeds of those glorified in
the genealogies.
The 18 Mahpuras:
Viu
Bhgavata
Nradya
Garua
Padma
Varha
Brahm
Brahma
Brahmavaivarta

Mrkaeya
Bhaviya
Vmana
iva
Liga
Skanda
Agni
Matsya
Krma