In case of any differences, the well known hierarchy of scriptures (according to scriptures) are
1) Veda
2) Smriti and
3) Puranas
There are a lot of great persons in Sanathan dharma, belongs to Kali Yuga, who are gurus, saints, acharyas, rishis, yogis, pandits, poets etc.,
Some of those were already prophesied by scriptures. Example: Adi Shankaracharya. (Say category I)
Many of them were considered great, but does not have any explicit mention in any of the scripture. This question is about these sort of people. (Say category II)
If there is any differences between the statements of those people (of category II) and the scriptures(mentioned in the hierarchy above), then which one has to be considered i.e, what is the position of those people in the hierarchy of authority according to the scriptures, which are top in the hierarchy?