The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c21.56

v1.c21.56

Although we may agree in general with the judgment of Bühler to the effect that the Dharma Çāstra of Gautama takes temporal precedence over the extant Dharma Çāstras and Dharma Sūtras¹, yet it is historically as important to remember that this judgment was tempered by the consideration that interpolations occur in the work of Gautama, and that in its present form the language ‘agrees closer with Pāṇini’s rules than that of Āpastamba and Baudhāyana.’ The title itself of Gautama’s work is Çāstra not Sūtra, and it is obvious from his chapter on kings that sundry works called Dharma Çāstras were in vogue, for he says: ‘The administration of justice (shall be regulated by) the Veda, the Dharma Çāstras, the Aṅgas, and the Purāṇas (and Upavedas)’ (xi, 19), and though the word ‘Upavedas’ occurs in but one manuscript, and logically Dharma is included under Aṅga, yet it is not necessary to assume an interpolation for these words, especially as Gautama mentions Manu among teachers of the law, from ‘some’ of whom he cites, though not by name. The Atharvaçiras, a late work, is also known to him (xix, 12). It may then be questioned whether each and every rule of Gautama can be cited as being an integral part of the ‘earliest law-book.’