History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v1.c6.s2.1.1

v1.c6.s2.1.1

The Gautamadharmasūtra¹⁷ says ‘the Veda is the source of *dharma* and the tradition and practice of those that know it (the Veda).’ So Āpastamba¹⁸ says ‘the authority (for the *dharmas*) is the consensus of those that know *dharma* and the Vedas.’ Vide also the Vasiṣṭhadharma-sūtra¹⁹ (I. 4-6). The Manusmṛti²⁰ lays down five different sources of *dharma* ‘the whole Veda is (the foremost) source of dharma and (next) the tradition and the practice of those that know it (the Veda); and further the usages of virtuous men and self-satisfaction.’ Yājñavalkya²¹ declares the sources in a similar strain ‘the Veda, traditional lore, the usages of good men, what is agreeable to one’s self and desire born of due deliberation—this is traditionally recognised as the source of dharma.’ These passages make it clear that the principal sources of *dharma* were conceived to be the Vedas, the Smṛtis, and customs. The Vedas do not contain positive precepts (*vidhis*) on matters of *dharma* in a connected form; but they contain incidental references to various topics that fall under the domain of dharmaśāstra as conceived in later times. Such information to be gathered from the Vedic Literature is not quite as meagre as is commonly supposed. In another place²² I have brought together about fifty Vedic passages that shed 'Like (a woman) growing old in her parents' house, I spray to thee as Bhaga from the seat common to all'²³. Vide also Ṛgveda I 124. 7; IV. 5. 5 and Atharvaveda I. 17.