(i) The Ramayana (Valmiki) : It is known as 'Adi Kavya' (the oldest epic of the world). At present, it consists of 24,000 shlokas i.e. verses (originally 6,000, later -12,000, Finally - 24,000) in 7 Khandas i.e. sections. 1st and 7th Khandas were the latest additions to the Ramayana.
(ii) The Mahabharata (Ved Vyas) : The longest epic of the world. At present, it consists of 100,000 shlokas i.e. verses (originally - 8,800- Jay Samhita, later -24,000 - Chaturvinshati Sahastri Samhita / Bahrata, finally -100,000- Shatasahastri Samhita / Maha Bharata) in 18 Parvans i.e. chapters, plus the Harivamsa supplement. Bhagavad Gita is extracted from Bhishma Parvan of Mahabharata. Shanti Parvan is the largest parvan (chapter) of the Mahabharata.
The Purana : The Purana means 'the old'. There are 18 famous 'Puranas'. The Matsya Purana is the oldest Purnic text. The other important Puranas are the Bhagavata, The Vishnu, The Vayu and The Brahamnda. They describe genealogies of various royal dynasties.
The Upavedas (the auxiliary vedas) were traditionally associated with vedas :
Upavedas : Associated with
(1) Ayurveda (Medicine) : Rig Veda
(2) Gandharveda (Music) : Sama Veda
(3) Dhanurveda (Archery) : Yajur Veda
(4) Shilpveda (craft) : Atharva Veda
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