The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c9.s2.t1.3

c9.s2.t1.3

Unlike the Brâhmaṇas and Sûtras, the Epic pulsates with life and throughout displays freedom and independence. But from the circumstances of its composition, it cannot be held to represent the customs and opinions of any single generation. Since it is impossible to fix the chronological limits of its various sections, it can only be regarded as indicating that certain practices prevailed on the banks of the Jumnâ and the upper Ganges sometime before the Christian era. The Râjadharmânuśâsana chapters of the epic are invaluable as presenting a synthetic view of Hindu political thought but they seem to stray far from practice. Their precepts are honoured more in the breach than in the observance in the story of the Epic.