The Mauryan Polity c11.2

c11.2

(As a tentative definition *dharma* may be taken to mean the totality of duties expected of every individual to his family, community, country, and God.) The Vedas were believed to be revealed texts, and are still so believed, and hence whatever is ordained in them is absolute truth which ought to be pursued even at the sacrifice of one’s life. The doctrines and rules found scattered in these works of high antiquity came to be generally known as the vedic *dharma*. It is also known as the *śrauta dharma*. These were in a highly technical language, the interpretation of which required special skill and expert knowledge. Hence the ancient sages and seers of this land felt called upon to impart this hidden knowledge to the masses by reducing them to an easily understandable style. This was the attempt of the different authors of the *Dharmasūtras* and the *Dharmaśāstras*. When these, what are now called Brahmanical codes, became popular, the *smārta* *dharma* became the accepted and accredited *dharma* for both the ecclesiastic and the laity. While the *vedic dharma* was essentially religious, the *smārta dharma* constituted visible lay elements, though the religious element was still predominant.¹ From the statement that the *vedic dharma* was religious, it must not be taken that no lay element was in it. It was there but not predominating.