Vedas
Ritualistic, hymns, chants
Upnishad
Philosophical teachings
Historical stories, legends, historical narratives
Puranas
Vedas
Rituals, prayers, sacrificial rites
Upnishad
Spiritual and metaphysical exploration
Preservation of myths, genealogies, cosmology, moral teachings
Puranas
Vedas
Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads
Upnishad
Philosophical teachings (part of the Vedas)
Stories of gods, creation myths, genealogies, legends
Puranas
Vedas
External rituals
Upnishad
Inner spiritual knowledge
History, cosmology
Puranas
Vedas
Four Vedas: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda
Upnishad
Numerous Upanishads (over 100)
18 major Puranas, including Vishnu Purana, Shiva Purana, Bhagavata Purana
Puranas
Vedas
Older (date back to around 1500-1200 BCE)
Upnishad
Later than Vedas, developed around 800-200 BCE
Developed over a broad period, with later compositions
Puranas
Vedas
Samhitas (hymns), Brahmanas (rituals), Aranyakas (meditations), Upanishads (philosophical teachings)
Upnishad
Philosophical teachings (usually found at the end of each Veda)
Various sections, including Samhitas, Upa-puranas, and Upakhyanas
Puranas
Vedas
External practices
Upnishad
Inner spiritual experience, meditation
Narrative storytelling, moral teachings
Puranas