LIFE VISION BEHIND THE LAW BOOKS

Abstract

That "Dharma" can be defined in the context of the ancient Indian Law Books as the underlying motive principle in the social evolution of humanity towards the manifestation and emonstration of the soul, or in other words of the basic oneness of mankind! appears to be a thesis which has far reaching religious implications. Much has been written about the philosophical uncertainty regarding the meaning of the term "Dharma", a term very central to the Hindu religious literature. Among other things, it implies universal or cosmic laws (rita), moral laws, code of conduct of the individual or group, the precepts of social behaviour, the practice of the virtues enjoined by ethics, the third element of the four human ends (Purusbartbas), justice, virtue, morality, religious merit and righteousness, the Good, the True, the Norm, the Ideal, the Way. The term "Dharma", therefore, seems to be an epitome of the whole gamut of philosophy and religion. The present article proposes to deal with it only in the context of uarnas (castes) and dsbramas (stages of life), which are the most effective ascetical means to achieve the supreme perfection or end of man. The article has two sections: the first deals with the Dbarmasutras and Dbarmasastras in general. The second section is an attempt to state the philosophical and religious vision behind these Law Books.