The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c16.s1.t3.25

c16.s1.t3.25

The ethical conception of law as the dictate of conscience, i. e. as *jus naturale* has a long tradition in Hindu thought. In the *Brihad-âraṇyak-opaniṣat*² law is identical with truth and is as powerful as king. It is of course the creation of God. Brahman (God), we are told “was not strong enough.” So he “created still further the most excellent *dharma*.*** There is nothing higher than law. Thenceforth even a weak man rules a stronger with the help of the law, as with the help of a king. Thus the law is what is called the true. And if a man declares what is truth, they say he declares the law; and if he declares the law, they say he declares what is true. Thus both are the same.”