Smritis literally mean “that which is remembered,” a vast body of post-Vedic literature codifying social, moral and legal norms. Texts such as Manusmriti, Yajnavalkya Smriti and Narada Smriti fall under this umbrella. They dig into daily conduct—describing duties (dharma) for different stages of life (ashramas) and social classes (varnas), prescribing rites, inheritance rules and even dispute-resolution methods.

By contrast, the Vedas—Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva—hold the rank of Śruti, or “that which is heard.” Regarded as divine revelations, they consist of hymns, mantras and ritual instructions, along with philosophical expositions in the Upanishads. These texts explore cosmic order (ṛta), sacrificial rites and metaphysical knowledge, rather than laying down detailed social regulations.

Key differences:

1. Authority and Origin
   • Vedas (Śruti): Seen as apauruṣeya—authorless, eternal revelations.
   • Smritis: Human compositions attributed to ancient sages, adapting core principles to everyday life.

2. Scope and Content
   • Vedas: Ritual hymns, chants, meditation techniques, and philosophical dialogues.
   • Smritis: Legal codes and moral guidelines—from marriage rules to judicial procedures.

3. Flexibility and Evolution
   • Vedic injunctions are absolute and non-negotiable.
   • Smritis acknowledge regional customs (deśa), time’s passage (kāla) and community practices. This flexibility often led to regional variants of the same text.

4. Contemporary Resonance
   Smritis have faced scrutiny in modern times for sanctioning caste hierarchies and gender norms. Yet courts and scholars tend to treat them as historical documents rather than binding law. India’s recent debates around a Uniform Civil Code and gender justice continue to spotlight how these ancient rules still cast a long shadow over 21st-century policy.

In a nutshell, Vedas provide the grand blueprint of cosmic and spiritual principles, while Smritis translate that blueprint into the nuts and bolts of social living. Think of the Vedas as the architectural vision and Smritis as the rulebook for building and inhabiting society—sometimes rigid, sometimes flexible, always rooted in a long and winding tradition.