There are many religious books in Hindu religion and all of them are full of religious basics, principles, descriptions, stories, and spiritual matter.

The ancient Vedic literature is divided into two parts:

(1)  Four Ved (or Samhitaa) and their Braahman making up the Karm Kaand on the work of the sacrifices; and

(2)  Aranyak and Upanishad, called Gyaan Kaand, tacked to the end of Braahman. Only three Aranyaka share the names of the Braahman they followed and the Upanishad they preceded: Aitareya, Kausitakee and Tattireeya (the first two are associated with Rig Ved and the last one is associated with Yajur Ved). Aranyak are the forest text because ascetics retreated into forests to study the spiritual doctrines with less emphasis on sacrificial rites which were very common in towns. They were transitions between Braahman and Upanishad.

Garg Samhitaa (describes Krishn's life)

(1) There are four Ved -

Rig Ved - is considered the oldest. Its hymns were composed between 2,500 BC and Mahaabhaarata war in 900 BC. and contains over a thousand hymns in the praise of God. Its hymns are recited.

Yajur Ved - contains verses about Yagya etc. Yajur Ved has two collections or Samhitaa called White and Black, the latter being more obscure in its meaning. The last chapter of Yajur Ved is in fact Eesh Upnishad expressing the mystical view that God pervades everything. Its verses are used to perform religious ceremonies.

Saam Ved - contains melodies for chanting for the sacrifices. These verses are considered the origin of Indian music and are traceable to Riga Ved 8th and 9th books. its verses are used for singing.

Atharv Ved - This is the last and latest Ved among the four Ved. Its verses are primarily for magical spells and incantations. It is much longer than Yajur Ved and Saam Ved and about a sixth of it is from Riga Ved. Its one of the authors was a Maharshi Angiraa whose name is related to Agni (Latin: ignis). Its another author is Atharvan (Iranian root atar meaning fire). Its third author is Maharshi Bhrigu (his name is also related to Greek word meaning fire). Its fourth author is Braahman - the word used for priest or for God Himself. From this came Indian astrology and Aayurvedic medicine.

(2) There are 18 Puraan 

1.  Brahm Puraan
2.  Padm Puraan
3.  Vishnu Puraan
4.  Shiv Puraan
5.  Shri Mad-Bhaagvat Puraan (this Puraan is mostly the description of   Avataars, Shree Krishna's life and many deep things about this Lok and where God and gods live.
6.  Naarad Puraan
7.  Maarkandeya Puraan
8.  Agni Puraan
9.  Bhavishya Puraan
10. Brahmavaivart Puraan
11. Ling Puraan
12. Varaah Puraan
13. Skand Puraan
14. Vaaman Puraan
15. Koorm Puraan
16. Matsya Puraan
17. Garud Puraan (this Puran describes the journey of Aatmaa (Soul) after leaving the mortal body),
18. Brahmaand Puraan

Up-Puraan are famous by the name of their speakers:

(3) There are fifteen Upanishad mentioned by Shankar. Upanishad means "those who sit near". Some of them are:

    (1)  Aitareya Upanishad                 (2)  Brihad Aranyak Upanishad
    (3)  Chhaandogya Upanishad,         (4)  Ishaavaasya Upanishad
    (5)  Kath Upanishad                      (6)  Kaushitaki Upanishad
    (7)  Ken Upanishad                       (8)  Mundak Upanishad
    (9)  Maandookya Upanishad            (10)  Prashn Upanishad
   (11) Tattireeya Upanishad

No 2 and 3 are the oldest ones - from about 7th century BC.

(3) There are twenty-two Shruti (which have been written after hearing)

(4) There are eighteen Smriti (which are written after remembering), such as
Manu Smriti,

(5) There are two great Epics - Mahabhaarat, and Raamaayan.

Mahaabhaarat is written by Maharshi Ved Vyaas Jee. This is the same Mahabhaarat which was spoken by Vyaas Jee and written by Ganesh Jee. There are two main Raamaayan, one is "Vaalmeeki Raamaayan" written by Maharshi Vaalmeeki Jee in Sanskrit language and another "Raam Charit Maanas" by Goswaamee Tulasee Daas Jee in Avadhee language. In North India Hindi speaking people read Tulasee Das Raam Charit Maanas. There is one Radheyshyam Raamaayan also, which is more popular in villages as it is written in everyday language poetry. Raamaayan is available in other languages also.

(7) Braahman - Written in prose between 900 BC and 700 BC to explain Ved. Jaiminiya Braahman, and Satapatha Braahman (a judgment after death using the scale of good and evils is described in this)

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