The most notable of the smritis are the ''Itihasa'' (epic poetrys), which consist of the ''Mahabharata'' and the ''Ramayana''. Bhagavad Gita is an integral part of the epic ''Mahabharata'' and one of the most popular sacred texts of Hinduism. It contains philosophical sermons told by ''Krishna'', an incarnation of ''Vishnu'', to the ''Pandava'' prince Arjuna on the eve of a great war. The ''{{Unicode|Bhagavad Gītā}}'' is described as the essence of the ''Vedas.''<ref>''{{Unicode|Sarvopaniṣado}} gāvo,'' etc. (''Gītā Māhātmya'' 6). ''Gītā Dhyānam'', ''cited in'' Introduction to [http://www.bhagavadgitaasitis.com/introduction/en Bhagavad-gītā As It Is].</ref>
Also widely known are the ''Puranas'' ("ancient histories"), which illustrate Vedic ideas through vivid narratives dealing with deities, and their interactions with humans. Other key texts are the ''{{IAST|Devī Mahātmya}}'', the ''Yoga Sutras'', the ''Tantras'' as well as the ''{{Unicode|Mahanirvāṇa Tantra}}'', ''Tirumantiram'' and ''Shiva Sutras''. Another important set of scriptures with a more sectarian nature are the ''Hindu Agamas'', which dedicate to rituals and worship associated with ''Vishnu'', ''Shiva'' and ''{{Unicode|Devī}}''. A more controversial text, the ''[[Manusmriti]]'' or "Code of Manu", is a prescriptive lawbook which epitomizes the societal codes of the Brahminical caste system.
Most Hindu scriptures, especially the epics and Puranas, are not typically interpreted literally and more importance is attached to the ethics and the metaphorical meanings derived from them.<ref>''See'' Swami Nikhilananda, ''The Upanishads: A New Translation'' Vol. I, at 8 (5th ed. 1990) ISBN 0-911206-15-9</ref> Hindu exegesis leans toward figurative interpretations of scriptures rather than literal ones.
