History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c63.t2.568.1

v4.c63.t2.568.1

The Tantravārtika holds that Jai. I. 3. 7 is an adhikaraṇa by itself and is concerned with the authoritativeness of sadācāra (the customs and usages of śiṣṭas). Its position is that those usages are authoritative that are not opposed to express Vedic texts, that are practised by Vedic śiṣṭas under the belief that they are right conduct (dharma) and for which no visible motive (such as pleasure or the satisfaction of desires or the acquisition of wealth) can be predicated. Śiṣṭas are those who perform the religious acts expressly enjoined by the Veda. They are not so called because they practise what is said to be sadācāra; otherwise there will be an argument in a circle (in the form 'sadācāra means what is practised by śiṣṭas and śiṣṭas are those who practise sadācāra'). The practices traditionally handed down from generation to generation which are observed by śiṣṭas (as stated above) with the idea that they constitute a part of dharma must be regarded as dharma and as leading to heaven.¹⁶³⁹ Practices do not become authoritative by the mere fact that no such motive or purpose can be postulated for them, but they become so only when they are observed by śiṣṭas as part of dharma. The Tantravārtika (p.