The Four books known as Ithihasas are Valmiki Ramayana, Maha Bharatha, Yoga Vasishta and Harivamsa. These works explain the great universal truths contained in the principles and philosophy of Sruthis and the laws of Smrithis. They are given to us as historical narratives and stories, presented with analogies and parables in a tasteful form, written for the benefit of the common people, suitable for all mankind, from the inquisitive child and an illiterate devotee to the intellectual scholar. Ramayana, written in twenty-four thousand Sanskrit verses by Sage Sri Valmiki relates to the story of Sri Rama, an Avathara of Sri Maha Vishnu, and his three brothers who are the sons of King Dasaratha, descendants of the Solar Race. The story describes their childhood, marriages, the exile of Sri Rama, carrying and recovery of Sita, the war with Ravana, and the reign of Sri Rama at Ayodhya. The epic teaches the Dharma and Karma, and every aspect of life in perfection is shown with Sri Rama and others as ordinary human beings. The brothers show examples of affection and mutual service. Sri Sita is shown as the ideal woman. Sri Hanuman stands as an example of an ideal and unique Karma Yogi. He is also an example of "Dhasya Bhava" form of Bhakthi or devotion to God as a Servant to Master.

The epic Maha Bharatha, written in one hundred thousand Sanskrit verses, by Sri Veda Vyasa (Krishna Dvaipaayana), is the story of two royal families of Pandavas and Kauravas, descendants of King Bharatha of Lunar race, who are cousins fighting the great war of Kurukshethra. This epic touches upon every aspect of Hindu religious teaching, the practice, philosophy, mysticism and polity and is rightly called the fifth Veda. Sri Krishna, as an avathar of Sri Maha Vishnu, appears in this epic. He establishes the rules of righteousness with his Super Human manifestations and his teaching of `Srimad Bhagavat Geetha' in the middle of the battle field. He explains the righteous path of Dharma and Karma and the path to moksha or liberation of Soul.