The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c12.s3.6

c12.s3.6

Nārada's exposition of private law commanded authority as well as a considerable degree of popularity in mediaeval India. A large part of his doctrines was incorporated sometimes without acknowledgment, in the works of subsequent writers on both civil and criminal law, while commentators ascribed to him all sorts of important texts bearing on legal institutions. Definitely secular and legalistic in his approach, Nārada emphasized the rule of reason as a source of law and maintained that where the sacred precept was at variance with custom, the latter should prevail.