Just as Sanatan Dharma (the Hindu faith) is the oldest existing tradition, its scriptures are also the oldest. Further, the Hindu faith is gifted with many scriptures, originally written in the divine Sanskrit language.

Vedas
Also called the Shruti Scriptures (those that were heard first-hand) or Nigams, the Vedas convey the original knowledge attained by Hindu sages in meditation. Vyasji compiled the knowledge, which is said to have come out of Brahma's 4 mouths, into 4 books (in about 100 thousand verses): Rig, Yajur, Saam, and Atharva. The Vedas consists of Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and the Upanishads.

Upanishads
Also called the Vedanta Scriptures, which means the conclusion or essence of the Vedas. 108 of the Upanishads, connected to one of the four Vedas, are considered major.

Vedangas
Considered as supplements to the Vedas, the 6 Vedangas help understand the Vedas' message and its application: Shiksha (phonetics), Vyaakran (grammar), Chhandas (meter), Nirukta (etymology/dictionary), Jyotisha (astrology/astronomy), and Kalpa (ritual action/actual performance).

Upavedas
Additional to the Vedas, the Upavedas include: Ayurveda (pertaining to medical science), Dhanurveda (military science), Gandharvaveda (music and art sciences), Arthaveda (political sciences), and Sthapatyaveda (archittectural science).

Smruti
Various sages contributed to the Smruti (from memory, or second-hand) scriptures, elucidating the meaning behind Shruti texts. They are also called Dharma Scriptures, and include the Manu Smruti and Yagnavalkya Smruti. In a broader context, the Smrutis include all spiritual works besides the Vedas.

Itihaas
Itihaas literally refers to historical texts. The two most famous epics or historical records are the Ramayan and the Mahabharat.

Ramayan
Based on the life of Rama Bhagwan of the Sun Dynasty in Ayodhya and written by Valmiki Rushi, it consists of 6 khandas or books (in about 24 thousand couplets). The most famous retelling of the work was by Tulsidas in Hindi (called Ramacharitramanas, it consists of 7 books).

Mahabharat
Based around the royal Kuru family of the Lunar Dynasty in Hastinapur, the Mahabharat was delivered by Vyasji, and written by Ganeshji. It is divided into 18 parvas or parts (in over 100 thousand couplets), including the famous Bhagavad Gita. Also part of the Mahabharat is Vishnu Sahasranam that gives the thousand holy names of Lord Vishnu and Vidur Niti, spiritual advice given by Hastinapur's chief minister Vidur to King Dhritarashtra.

Bhagavad Gita
In the 6th parva of the Mahabharat (Bhisma-parva), the Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse dialogue (divided into 18 chapters) between Krishna Bhagwan and Arjun.

Purans
Authored by Vyasji, there are 18 Purans to elevate devotees and divinize their three modes of nature. The Shrimad Bhagavat Puran and Skand Puran (which includes Vasudev Mahatmya in the Vishnu khand) are famous examples.

Shrimad Bhagavat
The Shrimad Bhagavat Puran contains 12 skandas (cantos), detailing the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The 5th canto talks about King Priyavrat and Lord Rushabhdev and his son Bharatji (per Shikshapatri verse 99, it is on yoga). The 10th canto highlights the divine life of Lord Krishna (per Shikshapatri verse 99, it is on bhakti). The Narayan Kavach is given in chapter 8 of the 6th canto. [The Bhagavat's recitations are as follows: Vyasji to his son Shukji; Shukji to Arjun's grandson, King Parikshit; Suta Goswami (who heard Shukji's recitation) to Saunak Rishi and the 88 thousand sages at Naimisharanya forest.]

Agamas/Pancharatra
The Agama set of texts is of 3 divisions: Vaishnav, Saiva, and Shakta. The Vaishnav Agama have two branches: Vaikhanas and Pancharatra. The Vaikhanas are mostly followed in temples of South India (e.g. the Venkateshwar Balaji in Tirumala). The Narad Pancharatra is the Panchratra Tantra, composed by Vasudev Bhagwan, revised by Naradji. Considered the bhakti shastra, the Pancharatra discuss temple construction, installation of and worship to moortis, mantra recitation, festivals, etc.

Darshan Shaastra
There are six schools of philosophy that have their major scriptures (containing sutras or concise statements): Nyay by Gautam, Vaisheshik by Kanad, Saankhya by Kapil, Yoga (whose acharya is Hiranyagarbh) by Patanjali, Purva Mimamsa by Jaimini, and Uttar Mimamsa (also known as Vedanta) by Vyasji. The Uttar Mimamsa scripture by Vyasji is called Vedant-Sutra or Brahma-Sutra or Vyas-Sutra.

Bhaashyas
The Bhaashyas are commentaries on the scriptures (typically the Vedanta-sutras and as a trio, including the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita) by acharyas or sect heads such as Ramanujacharya (vishishta-advaita), Shankaracharya (advaita), Madhvacharya (dvaita), etc., that discuss the soul's worship to God.

SHIKSHAPATRI
Shikshapatri literally means "letter of teachings." Lord Swaminarayan wrote the Shikshapatri in Vadtal on Vasant Panchami (February 12, 1826) in Sanskrit. It consists of 212 verses that encompass the care of devotees from the physical to the spiritual.

Lord Swaminarayan reveres the following 8 Hindu scriptures in the Shikshapatri (verses 93-95): the Vedas, the Vyas-Sutras, the Shrimad Bhagavat Puran, the Shree Vishnu Sahasranaam, the Bhagavad Gita, the Vidur Niti, Shree Vasudev Mahatmya, and the Yagnavalka Smruti.

VACHANAMRUT
Vachana means command or discourse and amruta is nectar that gives immortality. Lord Swaminarayan extracted the essence of all Hindu scriptures and related them in the form of the Vachanamrut. Scribed and compiled by Gopalanand Swami, Muktanand Swami, Nityanand Swami, and Shukanand Swami, the Vachanamrut is a compilation of Lord Swaminarayan's discourses with devotees in Gujarati (in Devnagri/Sanskrit script). There are a total of 273 published talks, with an account of the date and place. (The Vadtal version had 262. The Ahmedabad version published 11 more, and notes that Brahmanand Swami is a fifth compiler.) There are 18 aphorisms (19 in the Ahmedabad version) that attest to the compilers, number, and places of the Vachanamrut. Shatanand Swami translated the Vachanamrut into Sanskrit (Harivaakhyasudhasindhu), and Brahmanand Swami translated the Vachanamrut into Vraj/Hindi.

Given in Vachanamrut Loya 7, "In the assembly, Nityanand Swami brought the Vachanamrut manuscript and presented it to Shriji Maharaj. Shriji Maharaj examined the manuscript and was extremely pleased."

Town	No.	Place	Dates
Gadhada or Durganagar or Gurgapattam (First)	78	Dada Khachar's darbaar (court)	Nov. 21, 1819 to July 13, 1820
Sarangpur	18	Jiva Khachar's darbaar - Amra Patgar's home in Kundal [ref. 9] - Under a pipal tree in Khambhda [ref. 10]	Aug. 28, 1820 to Sept. 15, 1820
Kariyani	12	Vasta Khachar's darbaar	Sept. 19, 1820 to Nov. 20, 1820
Loya	18	Sura Khachar's darbaar	Nov. 30, 1820 to Jan. 5, 1821
Panchala	7	Jinabhai's darbaar	March 3, 1821 to March 29, 1821
Gadhada (Middle)	67	Dada Khachar's darbaar - Lakshmi Vadi (farm on the outskirts of Gadhada, belonging to Dada Khachar)	June 15, 1821 to Feb. 6, 1825
Vadtal or Vruttalaya	20	Lakshmi-Narayan temple - Mango grove on banks of Lake Gomti	Nov. 21, 1825 to Feb. 10, 1826
Ahmedabad or Shrinagar	3+5=8	Nara-Narayan temple	March 4, 1826 to March 31, 1826
- Ashlali	1	Mango grove	April 9, 1826
- Jetalpur	5	In a palace and at Baldevji's temple [ref. 2]	April 10, 1826 to April 14, 1826
Gadhada (Last)	39	Dada Khachar's darbaar - Lakshmi Vadi (farm on the outskirts of Gadhada, belonging to Dada Khachar) - Radha-Gopinath temple	June 1, 1826 to July 25, 1829

In Swami Ni Vato 4/136, Gunatitanand Swami expalins, "To have value in other [books] than the Vachanamrut, is itself moha."

As a memory aid, Vachanamrut titles were added by saints at the Junagadh temple during Gunatitanand Swami's time.

Vachanamrut references in Swami Ni Vato (Vachanamrut Number - Swami Ni Vato Number):

Swami Ni Vato	Gadhada First	Sarangpur	Kariyani	Loya	Panchala	Gadhada Middle	Vadtal	Ahmedabad	Gadhada Last
ch. 1	63-307	17-189	7-311	7-83	x	9-263, 54-182, 67-189	3-289	x	5-238, 13-204, 35-205, 39-208
ch. 2	x	x	x	x	x	x	2-172	x	31-123
ch. 3	23-13, 63-23, 71-71	17-61	12-55	x	7-38	8-67, 9-12, 30-13, 45-13, 67-66	11-12	2-13, 3-13	38-12
ch. 4	16-20	11-45	x	x	x	11-14/61, 14-29	x	x	7-1
ch. 5	37-193, 71-93/193	7-180	8-93	17-110	1-415, 7-130	5-163, 9-325/360, 10-233, 14-92, 17-93, 28-365, 48-84, 63-179	1-92, 11-360, 13-138/163	x	2-117/138, 13-228, 33-353, 34-34, 35-120/230, 39-324
ch. 6	19-254, 26-32, 38-92, 54-212, 70-29	x	8-256	14-34/49/242/293, 17-128/243	2-87	9-22/34, 13-34/236, 21-236, 28-136, 38-34	x	2-99	2-218/254, 24-9, 26-198, 30-250, 33-9, 39-23
ch. 7	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
ch. 8	14-14, 20-15, 21-29, 37-15, 41-28/29, 58-14, 60-18, 63-8/22/30/35, 71-1/29, 75-14	10-14, 17-8	8-26	6-15, 9-22, 12-1/10/27/29/30, 13-27, 14-1	4-15/32, 7/28	3-29, 9-15/28/30, 10-22, 13-28, 24-28, 30-10, 31-29/35, 42-25/26, 47-15, 49-15, 54-6, 67-8/10/22/31	x	x	2-6/17, 19-15, 21-22, 38-28, 39-6/15
ch. 9	18-168	x	10-127	13-57/167	1-164	47-126, 59-222	16-110	x	x
ch. 10	41-3, 71-211	10-243	10-270	13-3, 14-3, 15-3, 17-82/234	x	13-3, 22-117, 24-43, 35-86, 50-3	x	x	1-31, 30-163, 31-3, 38-43, 39-163
ch. 11	5-96, 18-294, 23-85, 54-167, 56-205	10-167	x	13-105	4-83, 7-124	9-100/126, 10-105, 28-163/167, 35-295, 50-132, 54-167, 56-249	1-240, 5-167, 11-167, 12-74	x	7-167, 11-167, 16-167, 24-292, 26/167, 29-105/194, 39-140
ch. 12	x	1-164	x	17-124	x	28-8, 54-123	x	x	9-154, 30-188
ch. 13	71-40	7-13, 10-110, 12-91	x	x	2-127	1-66, 13-71, 24-130	x	x	29-19, 39-17
ch. 14	33-17, 44-193, 59-77	2-73, 7-17/156, 18-118/156	3-201, 12-204	8-139, 11-210, 17-149	1-168/193, 30-229, 37-123, 59-196, 62-206, 63-77	x	x	2-52	3-227, 24-96, 26-210, 33-96

SWAMI NI VATO
The Swami Ni Vato are the recorded discourses of Anaadi Mool Akshar Moorti Gunatitanand Swami in Gujarati during the latter part of His life. Krishnaji Ada's eldest son, Vaijanaath, published the compilation with 16 chapters. It is a commentary on the Vachanamrut that teaches the true glory of Lord Swaminarayan, Mool Akshar Gunatitanand Swami, and gunaateeta saints.

Chapter	Number	Writer	Topic(s)
1	343	Jaga Swami	God and His Saint's Mahimaa (Glory)
2	192	Jaga Swami	Sant Samaagam (Association with the Saint)
3	74	Jaga Swami	Sarvopari Nishchay (Ultimate Conviction) and Mahaatmay (Understanding)
4	144	Harishankarbhai Raval	Svaroop Nishthaa (Faith in Manifest God)
5	433	Harishankarbhai Raval	Mahimaa (Glory) and Krutaarthpanu (Forever-Obliged/Overwhelmed)
6	295	Sadashankarbhai	Sarvadeshi Samjan (Universal Understanding)
7	30	Balmukunddas Swami	Asaadhaaran Aishvarya (Extraordinary Powers)
8	36	Jaga Swami	Sarvopari Nishchay and Mahaatmay
9	335	Narayanpradhaan Thakkar	Sarvadeshi Samjan
10	353	Narayanpradhaan Thakkar	Sarvadeshi Samjan
11	300	Narayanpradhaan Thakkar	Sarvadeshi Samjan
12	215	Narayanpradhaan Thakkar	Sarvadeshi Samjan
13	130	Narayanpradhaan Thakkar	Sarvadeshi Samjan
14	230	Narayanpradhaan Thakkar	Sarvadeshi Samjan

VEDARAS
Swaminarayan Bhagwan wrote a 400+ page letter in Gujarati to Swayamprakashanand Swami and the Paramhansas on the panchvartamaan (five vows of sainthood: nishkaamee or free of lust, nirlobhee or free of greed, nihsnehee or free of attachment, nirsvaadhee or free of tastes, and nirmaanee or free ego). Over half of it is on the topic of going above ego.

BHAKTACHINTAMANI
Nishkulanand Swami's 164-chapter book in poetic Gujarati expounding Swaminarayan Bhagwan's divine play on earth, including vivid descriptions of festivals, places, and devotees.

NISHKULANAND KAVYA
Nishkulanand Swami's Gujarati work containing 22 books: Purushottamprakaash, Snehgita, Vachanvidhi, Saarsiddhi, Bhaktinidhi, HaribaalGita, Hridayprakaash, Dhirajkhyan, Harismruti, Chosathpadi, Manganjan, Gunagraahak, Harivicharan, Arajivinay, Kalyaannirnay, Avatarchintamani, Chinhachintamani, Pushpachintamani, Lagnashakunavali, Yamdand, Vrittivivaah, and Shikshapatribhaashya.

HARICHARITAAMRIT SAAGAR
In Vachanamrut Gadhada Middle 58, Swaminarayan Bhagwan tells Muktanand Swami that a sampraday flourishes by the scriptures which narrate its Ishtadev's divine incidents from His birth up until His passing away. Up to his death, just one and a half month after God's passing away, Muktanand Swami wrote extensively on Swaminarayan Bhagwan's life. Adharanand Swami (Siddhanand Swami) compiled the writings into a large 28-chapter work into poetic Hindi verse.

MUKTANAND KAVYAM
Collection of 21 poem books written by Muktanand Swami.

SHIKSHAPATRI ARTHADIPIKA
Sanskrit commentary on the Shikshapatri by Shatanand Swami that Swaminarayan Bhagwan praised.

HARI VAAKHYA SUDHA SINDHU
Sanskrit translation of the Vachanamrut by Shatanand Swami.

SATSANGIJIVAN
Written by Shatanand Swami in Sanskrit while staying at Gadhada. Swaminarayan Bhagwan reviewed the work that includes a description of God's life, the satsanga, and philosophy. The segment for sadhus, Dharmaamrut and Nishkaam Suddhi, are referenced in Swami Ni Vato often.

SATSANGI BHUSHAN
Written by Vasudevanand Swami, the work is similar to Satsangijivan, and inlcudes all of the places visited and devotees that Lord Swaminarayan met.

HARIDIGVIJAY
Written by Nityanand Swami in Sanskrit on the divine play of Swaminarayan Bhagwan.

HARILEELA KALPATARU
Gunatitanand Swami asked Achintyanand Brahmachaari to write the 12 cantos, 33,000-verse book that reveals the supreme glory of Lord Swaminarayan by way of His life events (see Swami Ni Vato 3/19). The book is in Sanskrit and bears the name of Acharya Raghuvirji Maharaj.

HARILEELAMRUT
Dalpataram's poetic book in Gujarati on Swaminarayan Bhagwan's life with devotees. It bears the name of Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj.

OTHER saints such as Gopalanand Swami, Nirgundas Swami, Adbhutanand Swami, and Bhaiatmanand Swami, amongst others have also written about Swaminarayan Bhagwan and given renowned commentaries of Hindu scriptures, while saints such as Premanand Swami and Brahmanand Swami have written thousands of beautiful poems and devotional songs (bhajanas/kirtanas).

WORKS OF GUNAATEETA SAINTS
Jaga Swami Ni Vato (Jaga Swami's discourses)
Krishnaji Ada Ni Vato (Krishnaji Ada's discourses)
Compilation of Shatriji Maharaj's letters
Yogi Gita/Krupa Prasad (from Yogi Bapa's discourses)
Patra Sanjivani and Brahmapravaha (compilation of Kakaji's letters)
Kakaji authored the following: The Divine Grace, Lord Swaminarayan and Applied Brahm-Gnan, The Real Essence of Tantra, Jnan Samadhi, Panchyagna, and GunatitoAksharambrahma.
There are also several books that depict the life stories of gunaateeta saints.

The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) is the main text of the Jewish faith, containing 39 books by many authors over a thousand years. They are usually separated into the Law (the first 5 books, called the Torah or Pentateuch), Prophets, and Writings - canonized by around the first century BCE. It is both historical (with the first patriarch, Abraham) and philosophical. The Mishnah (later the Talmud, including the Gemara) is a commentary on Jewish law and tradition.

In addition to the Old Testament valued by Judaism, Christianity places importance on the New Testament (also called the Bible), which contains 27 books that are a compilation of the writings of several authors in Greek language, canonized around the 4th century CE. These books convey the message and life of Jesus Christ (b. c. 4 BC in Bethlehem, south of Jerusalem).

The Koran is the principal text of Islam with 114 chapters in Arabic. Revealed by the Prophet Mohammed (b. 570 CE in Mecca), it forms the basis of the Muslim faith.

Chinese tradition has been most influenced by Confucius (b. 551 BCE), whose sayings and dialogues, known collectively as the Analects, were written down by his followers. Lao-tzu (around 4th century BCE) wrote The Tao te Ching and founded Taoism. Chaung Tzu's (around 4th century BCE) popular book is also Taoist.

The Buddhist faith's most prominent texts include the Tipitaka (containing Suttas, Vinayas, and Abhidhammas) that highlight the teachings of Siddharth Gautam Buddha (b. 563 BCE in today's Nepal). Buddha preached in Magadhi, the dialogues are handed down in Pali (making up the canon of the Theravada school). The Mahayana school contains more sutras (originally in Sanskrit, surviving mostly in Chinese). The Vajranya school additionally contains tantric texts (in Tibet).

The Sikh faith's major scripture is the Guru Granth Sahib, compiled by the 5th of the 10 gurus, Guru Arjun Dev in 1604. The first guru was Guru Nanak Dev (b. 1469 in today's Punjab, India) and last was Guru Gobind Singh (b. 1666). It contains works of the gurus along with saints like Kabir.

The Jain faith has many scriptures called Jain Agam or Agam Sutras in Magadhi (accepted by Swetambar Jains), orally transmitted for about one thousand years, based on the teachings of the 24th tirthankar, Mahavir Swami (b. 599 BCE in today's Bihar, India). Digambar Jains accept two main texts (Shatkhand Agam and Kasay Pahud) and four Anuyogs (consisting of about 20 texts) written by great Jain acharyas from 100 to 800 CE.