History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c63.t2.632

v4.c63.t2.632

Another rule that was laid down was that in case of conflict between dharmaśāstra and arthaśāstra, the former is of more weight or authority or that one should discard the rule in the arthaśāstra¹⁶⁸⁵ (Āp. Dh. S. I. 9. 24. 23; Yāj. II. 21; Nār. I. 39; Kāt. 20). Vide pp. 8-9 above for an explanation of this rule. The rule of the arthaśāstra has the accomplishment of a visible or worldly purpose as the goal, while the dharmaśāstra rule has as its purpose the securing of unseen or spiritual results. Therefore the latter from a spiritual or ethical point of view is superior to the former.