The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c14.s1.11

c14.s1.11

The *dharma-śâstras* which, like the Japanese *Kojiki* and *Nihongi*, incidentally treat of legal, economic and political matters in connection with socio-religious topics are named after about a score of promulgators¹ such as Manu, Atri, Viṣṇu, Hârîta, Yâjñavalkya, Uśanas, Angiras, Yama, Âpastamba, Samvarta, Kâtyâyana, Brihaspati, Parâśara, Vyâsa, Śamkha, Likhita, Dakṣa, Gautama, Śatâtapa, and Vasiṣṭha. The well known *Manu Samhitâ* and the *Institutes* of Yâjñavalkya are thus *smriti* or *dharma* books. All treatises on Hindu law (and custom) naturally fall within this group.