These are the three eternal Religions. The Religion prescribed in the Vedas is the greatest; that of the Smritis is the next in the order of importance; the Third in importance is that which is based upon the practices of the virtuous.
वेदोक्तः परमो धर्मः स्मृतिशास्त्रगतोऽपरः। शिष्टाचीर्णोऽपरः प्रोक्तस्त्रयो धर्माः सनातनाः॥