Smṛti | Memory / Recollection

Smriti

Smṛti (IAST)
Translation: "memory / recollection"

A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy
Sanskrit: स्मृति
Transliteration: Smṛti

Translation: "memory; recollection; "that which is remembered" (from the verb root smṛ = "to remember")

Definition:

1. According to Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta, it is included in perception as a valid means of knowledge. It is caused by similarity (Śadṛśya), unseen effect (Aḍṛṣṭa), deep thinking (Cintā), or association (Sāhacarya).
2. According to Nyāya, it is non-representative knowledge which may be either true (Yathārtha) or false (Ayathārtha) but not valid (Pramā).
3. According to the Jainas and the Vaiśeṣikas, it is valid mediate knowledge.
4. According to Nyāya and Mīmāṃsā, it is invalid knowledge (though their reasons for its invalidity differ).
5. According to Advaita Vedānta, it is either valid or invalid as the case may be.
6. According to Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika, recollection is a cognition caused solely by impressions. Advaita and Bhāṭṭa Mīmāṃsā explain it as a cognitive complex consisting of two parts: perceptual experience and recollection. Nyāya calls it perceptual experience of a special type.
7. Smṛti also refers to traditional scriptures, which include the limbs of the Veda (Vedāṅga), the Law Books (Dharmaśāstra), the Epics (Ithihāsa), and the Purāṇa.
8. The principle Law Books are the Manusmṛti, Parasarasmṛti, and Vaśiṣṭhasmṛti. Other Smṛti(s) are of Śāṅkha, Likhita, Atri, Viṣṇu, Hārīta, Yama, Aṅgirasa, Uśanas, Saṃvarta, Bṛhaspati, Kātyāyana, Dakṣa, Vyāsa, Yājñavalkya, and Śātātapa.

Reference:

1. Grimes, John (1996). A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy: Sanskrit Terms Defined in English. Albany: State University of New York Press