Hindu scriptures

Scriptures In hinduism.

In Hinduism there are no single most important scripture like the Bible and the Quran.

Hindu texts are divided into three parts
Primary secondary and tertiary and the whole purpose of all three type of texts are the same.

Primary
Vedas and the Agamas.

Primary book is divided into two categories that is vedas : Nigama(Authoritative)
And Agama (experiential)
All sects of hinduism accept the Vedas as the highest scriptural authority.
Vedas were written by multiple enlightened rishis which dates back to 5000 years.

Vedas are subdivided into four
1. Rigveda 2.yajurveda 3. Samaveda 4.Atharvanaveda.
Which contains hymns (samhita) and philosophy (Upanishads) which
Deals bout the nature of the supreme.

Vedas are not accessible to everyone is the same reason why  the Quantum mechanics and the thermodynamics are not generally taught to the general public.
For learning the Vedas one needs to have thorough command over Sanskrit and mimamsa (profound investigation)

Agamas.
Agamas are also known as the tantras and they have equal authority with the Vedas.
But they can be used easily.
They are the most followed in the modern times.
Agamas are further divided into three.
Shaiva , vaishnava and shakta.

Agamas and tantras contain rules and regulations related The pooja of icon, prana pratistha and rituals  , utsava and other things for spiritual upliftment of people.

Secondary Texts
Smriti and sutra.

These texts work for explaining the core philosophy and teachings of the Vedas.
And these are the field where the priests work on :

Oral Laws ( smriti)
These books deal with the sacred laws (of the Vedas) as well as the judicial law composed by various lawgivers like Narada, Manu etc.
The laws were made with reference to the Vedas and along with  various social circumstances.
The smritis can have difference on many minor points.

Grhya sutras ( domestic guidelines)
It contains rules for domestic conducts it contains the duties of the Grihastas (houseolders) , ceremonies, domestic acharas etc..
This field is study of domestic priests .

Tertiary scriptures
Puranas and Itihaas.
Puranas :
Puranas are the encyclopedia of the spiritual as well as mundane information.
They have elaborate commentary on Vedas and they contain every type of knowledge .
There are 18 major puranas.

Itihasa ( epics)
These are the most famous ones and entire world knows about it.
The Ramayana and The mahabharata..
These contain historical as well as legendary accounts of Ancient kings and they have philosophical discourses, hymns and parables.

The Bhagawad Gita
The unique work where The Lord himself talks with his friend and the disciple
Many people (like zakir naik) claim bhagwad gita to be under itihasas or the tertiary texts, yes it's true it comes inside the chapters of the mahabharata.
But one cannot ignore the fact that it is the direct teaching of the Lord.
So it can be considered as the Nigama(Authoritative) and the agama (experiential)
So its a full package combined book on both Vedas and agamas.

The content of the scriptures are divided into four
1. Theology
It describes about the attributes of supreme Lord and It gives instructions or guidance in the matter of Right living and the ethics (Dharma).

2.Eulogistic
These are texts which tells us about the virtue of right living by promising the Good deeds here with heaven.

And bad deeds by hell.
These should not be taken  literally.
These texts offer instructions like how our mother used to give instructions to  us promising with rewards.

Doxology
Deals with
Prayers, hymns and ritual methods for use.

Parables
Fables and legends of Gods goddesses , prince, heroes...etc they contain moral principle as their main objective.
There may be or may not be having any historical document of it.
The form of the stories may be irrelevant
So Once the lesson is understood the story can be discarded.