The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c16.s1.t3.23

c16.s1.t3.23

secondly, law as created by the fiat of a law-maker, as something which is to be obeyed not because it is just, good or eternal, but because it has been enacted by the state. Both these conceptions are to be found among the speculations of Hindu political philosophers. The distinction between positive law and ethics is clearly set forth by Vijnâneśvara (eleventh century) in his notes on the text of Yâjnavalkya¹ in regard to the judicial duties of the King.