The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c23.10

v1.c23.10

The codes of Yājñavalkya and Nārada are probably to be referred to the fourth and fifth centuries, respectively. The former was a learned pundit, probably of Mithilā, whose work is so closely connected with that of Manu and at the same time is so clearly a condensation of this code, that it may be taken as certain that the author desired to better an original rather than make a new work. Yājñavalkya pays more attention to legal matters and improves on his model in his views regarding the rights of women, whom he permits to inherit equally with men. He elaborates the subjects of trade and ownership, and recognises written documents in evidence where Manu relies on ocular witnesses. He recommends the use of several new ordeals in testing truth, and shows a more conservative social feeling in objecting to the union of a Brāhman priest and a slave-woman.