The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c11.s1.t30.4

c11.s1.t30.4

The two categories of law are fundamentally opposed to each other, but the secular laws have been later incorporated in and assimilated with the Brāhmaṇic-religious or shamanic-magical laws. The Brāhmaṇizing proceeded very energetically. Even the *Arthaśāstra* was in danger of losing its independent existence and being swallowed up in the *Smritiśāstra*. But the attempts of the Brāhmaṇas have been crowned only with partial success. Meyer's thesis is fully developed in the book, *Ueber das Wesen der altindischen Rechtsschriften und ihr Verhältniss zu einander und zu Kauṭilya* (On the nature of ancient Indian law books and their relations with one another and with Kauṭilya), a work of some 450 pages. That book should really be described as the main introduction to this translation.