The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c16.s1.12

c16.s1.12

Parāśara, Vyāsa, Śaṅkha, Likhita, Dakṣa, Śātātapa. Vriddha Gautama counted 56 or 57 teachers of the law and Nanda Paṇḍita, author of the Vaijayantī, 57. Mitramiśra in his Vīramitrodaya speaks of 18 primary, 18 secondary and 21 other Smritis.¹ Other lists, which are sometimes shorter, do not always agree. Thus Parāśara substitutes Kāśyapa, Gārgya and Pracetā for Yama, Brihaspati and Vyāsa. The Padma Purāṇa omits Atri and adds others to make up its list of thirty-six. Of all these, one of the most important, though rather late, is that of Parāśara.² He recognises no finality in law. It changes from time to time. Every age has its own scheme of duties which the government should enforce. In his own scheme of the social order he seeks elaborately to define the occupations which different classes of people may follow under different circumstances. Government should be conducted according to law. In laying down the law, the king must pay heed to Brāhmaṇas. A king should protect the earth, maintain order with a stern hand and conquer the forces of his enemies. Taxes should be mild.³