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Research Paper | Arts and Humanities | Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026 | Pages: 1597 - 1601 | India
Sources of Indian Knowledge Systems: A Critical Study of the Vedas, Upanishads, Epics, Puranas, and Smritis
Abstract: Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) represent a comprehensive and integrated tradition of knowledge encompassing philosophy, science, ethics, social organization, and spirituality. Rooted in ancient textual sources, these systems evolved through a rich corpus of literature including the Vedas, Upanishads, Epics, Puranas, and Smritis. The present study critically examines these foundational sources to understand their role in shaping the epistemological, ethical, and cultural dimensions of Indian civilization. Using a qualitative and textual-analytical methodology, the paper explores the classification of knowledge into Sruti and Smrti, the philosophical insights embedded in the Upanishads, the socio-ethical narratives of the Epics, the encyclopedic and cultural knowledge of the Puranas, and the normative frameworks of the Smritis. The study highlights the holistic and interdisciplinary nature of Indian Knowledge Systems and underscores their continued relevance in contemporary education, ethics, and sustainability discourse.
Keywords: Indian Knowledge Systems, Vedas, Upanishads, Epics, Puranas, Smritis, Sruti, Smrti
How to Cite?: Dr. Chiluka Pusphalata, "Sources of Indian Knowledge Systems: A Critical Study of the Vedas, Upanishads, Epics, Puranas, and Smritis", Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1597-1601, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26717104319, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26717104319