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[[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|Vedas]] (वेदाः) and Dharma (धर्मः) have been the pillars on which [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)]] stood ground since time immemorial. That Vedas are the source of all Dharma (in moral, social, religious, judicial, and spiritual sense) is irrefutably advocated by all authoritative texts of our [[Bharatiya Samskrtika Parampara (भारतीयसांस्कृतिकपरम्परा)|Bharatiya Samskrtika Parampara]].   

[[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|Vedas]] (वेदाः) and Dharma (धर्मः) have been the pillars on which [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)]] stood ground since time immemorial. That Vedas are the source of all Dharma (in moral, social, religious, judicial, and spiritual sense) is irrefutably advocated by all authoritative texts of our [[Bharatiya Samskrtika Parampara (भारतीयसांस्कृतिकपरम्परा)|Bharatiya Samskrtika Parampara]].   

Many scholars have debated as to what is the source and pramana for Dharmas that have been prevalent from ancient times. With the advent of modern social conditions, it is time to revisit the gold standards for moral, social conduct of human beings. In this article we deal with establishing the roots of Dharmas to be Vedas and vaidika vangmaya.   

Many scholars have debated as to what is the source and pramana for Dharmas that have been prevalent from ancient times. With the advent of modern social conditions, it is time to revisit the gold standards for moral and social conduct of human beings. The word Dharma (धर्मः), for which no word of any language can be substituted, is used erroneously and loosely in the sense of sanctioning various unrighteous deeds in the name of changing society and times by different people all over the globe.   

The word Dharma (धर्मः), for which no word of any language can be substituted, is used erroneously and loosely in the sense of sanctioning various unrighteous deeds in the name of changing society and times by different people all over the globe.  

Dharma (धर्मः) is a samskrit expression of the widest import. There is no corresponding word for Dharma in any other world language as it is a unique and ancient concept promulgated by rshis since times immemorial. Any single definition of Dharma would be an insufficient attempt to define the word. It can only be explained and has a wide variety of meanings.  

None of the faiths which are now widely spread across the world neither have such an extensive literature

धर्मः ॥ Dharma is a samskrit expression of the widest import. There is no corresponding word for Dharma in any other world language as it is a unique and ancient concept promulgated by rshis since times immemorial. Any single definition of Dharma would be an insufficient attempt to define the word. It can only be explained and has a wide variety of meanings. The extensive vedic literature has shown the irrevocable link between Dharma and Vedas, a few instances are presented here.

 

In this article we deal with establishing the pramanas or basis of Dharmas to be Vedas and the subsequent vaidika vangmaya. The extensive vedic literature has shown the irrevocable link between Dharma and Vedas, a few instances are presented here.

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

== धर्मप्रमाणानि ॥ Pramanas for Dharma ==

== धर्मप्रमाणानि ॥ Pramanas for Dharma ==

Many Sanatana Dharma texts proclaim that Vedas are the basis of Dharma. These texts being the oldest in the world with no precedents to them, it is accepted with authority and respect by every follower of the concept of Dharma. Vyasa Maharshi's sayings as mentioned in Smrtichandrika are as follows<ref name=":4">Srinivacharya. L, (1914) ''Smritichandrika by Devana Bhatta, Samskara Kanda Prathama.'' Mysore: Government Branch Press (Pages 5 to 13)</ref> <blockquote>धर्ममूलं वेदमाहुः ग्रन्थराशिमकृत्रिमम्। तद्विदां स्मृतिशीले च साध्वाचारं मनःप्रियम् ॥</blockquote>The Vedas are said to be the source of Dharma, as are the abundance of texts which are not created (apaurusheya), along with traditions (based on smrtis) and the virtuous conduct of those who follow Vedas and ultimately the source of Dharma also lies in the inner conscience of a human being.

Many Sanatana Dharma texts proclaim that Vedas are the pramanas or basis of Dharma. These texts being the oldest in the world with no precedents to them, it is accepted with authority and respect by every follower of the concept of Dharma. Vyasa Maharshi's sayings as mentioned in Smrtichandrika are as follows<ref name=":4">Srinivacharya. L, (1914) ''Smritichandrika by Devana Bhatta, Samskara Kanda Prathama.'' Mysore: Government Branch Press (Pages 5 to 13)</ref> <blockquote>धर्ममूलं वेदमाहुः ग्रन्थराशिमकृत्रिमम्। तद्विदां स्मृतिशीले च साध्वाचारं मनःप्रियम् ॥</blockquote>The Vedas are said to be the source of Dharma, as are the abundance of texts which are not created (apaurusheya), along with traditions (based on smrtis) and the virtuous conduct of those who follow Vedas and ultimately the source of Dharma also lies in the inner conscience of a human being.

Following Vyasa Maharshi's words the following sources are listed out as accepted pramanas for Dharma.

Following Vyasa Maharshi's words the following sources are listed out as accepted pramanas for Dharma.

* वेदः ॥ the Vedic texts  

* वेदः ॥ the Vedic texts  

* स्मृतिः ॥the Smrti texts  

* स्मृतिः ॥ the Smrti texts  

* साध्वाचारम् ॥ the virtuous conduct of those who follow the Veda  

* साध्वाचारम् ॥ the virtuous conduct of those who follow the Veda  

* मनःप्रियम् ॥ the inner call of the person  

* मनःप्रियम् ॥ the inner call of the person  

Similar lines were expressed in Bhagavata Purana as follows<blockquote>धर्मव्यतिक्रमो दृष्ट ईश्वराणां च साहसम् ।  तेजीयसां न दोषाय वह्नेः सर्वभुजो यथा ॥ ३० ॥  </blockquote><blockquote>नैतत्समाचरेज्जातु मनसापि ह्यनीश्वरः ।  विनश्यत्याचरन्मौढ्याद् यथारुद्रोऽब्धिजं विषम् ॥ ३१ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>ईश्वराणां वचः सत्यं तथैवाचरितं क्वचित् । तेषां यत् स्ववचोयुक्तं बुद्धिमांस्तत् समाचरेत् ॥ ३२ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>कुशलाचरितेनैषां इह स्वार्थो न विद्यते । विपर्ययेण वानर्थो निरहङ्‌कारिणां प्रभो ॥ ३३ ॥ (Bhag. Pura. 10.1.30-33)<ref>Bhagavata Purana (Skanda 10 [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4% Purvardha Adhyaya 33])</ref></blockquote>Transgressing the limits of dharma and over-adventurous acts are found to have been committed by mighty divine beings. But that does not amount to a blemish for those glorious beings, just as the fire having numerous flames (which does not get polluted by consuming impure things). These (transgressive) acts should not be committed even mentally by those beings who are not divine. Such people meet with destruction (people who transgress dharma) just like a person, other than Rudra, who swallows the poison that arose by the churning of the ocean. The words of those having divine wisdom are irrefutably truth and authoritative but their actions may be emulated only at certain times. A prudent and intelligent person should follow the actions of such virtuous men only when consistent with their own personal precepts. Such authoritative persons who are devoid of ahamkara (ego) have no selfish ends for they work for the welfare of others and gain nothing by acting on the contrary. <ref>Bhagavata Purana, English Translation. Volume 5 Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass. Pvt. Ltd. (Page 1463)</ref>

Similar lines were expressed in Bhagavata Purana as follows<blockquote>धर्मव्यतिक्रमो दृष्ट ईश्वराणां च साहसम् ।  तेजीयसां न दोषाय वह्नेः सर्वभुजो यथा ॥ ३० ॥  </blockquote><blockquote>नैतत्समाचरेज्जातु मनसापि ह्यनीश्वरः ।  विनश्यत्याचरन्मौढ्याद् यथारुद्रोऽब्धिजं विषम् ॥ ३१ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>ईश्वराणां वचः सत्यं तथैवाचरितं क्वचित् । तेषां यत् स्ववचोयुक्तं बुद्धिमांस्तत् समाचरेत् ॥ ३२ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>कुशलाचरितेनैषां इह स्वार्थो न विद्यते । विपर्ययेण वानर्थो निरहङ्‌कारिणां प्रभो ॥ ३३ ॥ (Bhag. Pura. 10.1.30-33)<ref>Bhagavata Purana (Skanda 10 [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4% Purvardha Adhyaya 33])</ref></blockquote>Transgressing the limits of dharma and over-adventurous acts are found to have been committed by mighty divine beings. But that does not amount to a blemish for those glorious beings, just as the fire having numerous flames (which does not get polluted by consuming impure things). These (transgressive) acts should not be committed even mentally by those beings who are not divine. Such people meet with destruction (people who transgress dharma) just like a person, other than Rudra, who swallows the poison that arose by the churning of the ocean. The words of those having divine wisdom are irrefutably truth and authoritative but their actions may be emulated only at certain times. A prudent and intelligent person should follow the actions of such virtuous men only when consistent with their own personal precepts. Such authoritative persons who are devoid of ahamkara (ego) have no selfish ends for they work for the welfare of others and gain nothing by acting on the contrary. <ref>Bhagavata Purana, English Translation. Volume 5 Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass. Pvt. Ltd. (Page 1463)</ref>

=== धर्मस्थानानि ॥ Dharmasthanas ===

== धर्मस्थानानि ॥ Dharmasthanas ==

Yajnavalkya smrti summarizes all the sources of Dharma comprehensively, <blockquote>पुराणन्यायमीमांसाधर्मशास्त्राङ्गमिश्रिताः । वेदाः स्थानानि विद्यानां धर्मस्य च चतुर्दश ।। ३ ।। (Yajn. Smrt. 1.3)<ref>Yajnavalkya Smrti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%98%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Achara-adhyaya Upodghata-prakarana])</ref></blockquote>Puranas including the Brahma purana and others, Nyaya including Tarkashastra, Mimamsa which involves discussion about the content of Vedas, Dharmashastras include the Manu and other Smrtis, Angas include the Shad Vedangas, and Vedas - these are the fourteen vidyasthanas and dharma-sthanas.  

Yajnavalkya smrti summarizes all the sources of Dharma comprehensively, <blockquote>पुराणन्यायमीमांसाधर्मशास्त्राङ्गमिश्रिताः । वेदाः स्थानानि विद्यानां धर्मस्य च चतुर्दश ।। ३ ।। (Yajn. Smrt. 1.3)<ref>Yajnavalkya Smrti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%98%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Achara-adhyaya Upodghata-prakarana])</ref></blockquote>Puranas including the Brahma purana and others, Nyaya including Tarkashastra, Mimamsa which involves discussion about the content of Vedas, Dharmashastras include the Manu and other Smrtis, Angas include the Shad Vedangas, and Vedas - these are the fourteen vidyasthanas and dharma-sthanas.  

== ऋग्वेदः ॥ Rigveda ==

 

 

==== ऋग्वेदः ॥ Rigveda ====

A word whose exact meaning cannot be given in English or any other language, Dharma appears to be used in Rigveda as an adjective or noun in the form of dharman (धर्मन्) in neuter gender. The word is clearly derived from dhatu धृञ् (in the meaning धारणे) meaning - "to uphold, to support, to nourish".<ref name=":3">Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1930) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Medieval Religious and Civil Law), Volume 1.'' Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref>

A word whose exact meaning cannot be given in English or any other language, Dharma appears to be used in Rigveda as an adjective or noun in the form of dharman (धर्मन्) in neuter gender. The word is clearly derived from dhatu धृञ् (in the meaning धारणे) meaning - "to uphold, to support, to nourish".<ref name=":3">Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1930) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Medieval Religious and Civil Law), Volume 1.'' Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref>

* Dharma is used in the sense of - 'upholder or supporter or sustainer' as in Rigveda (1.187.1 and 10.92.2 and 10.21.3)<ref name=":3" />

* Dharma is used in the sense of - 'upholder or supporter or sustainer' as in Rigveda (1.187.1 and 10.92.2 and 10.21.3)  

* It is used in sense of religious ordinances or rites  

* It is used in sense of religious ordinances or rites  

* It is also used as notation for fixed principles or rules of conduct  

* It is also used as notation for fixed principles or rules of conduct  

Aitareya Brahmana mentions a whole body of religious duties associated with Dharma.   

Aitareya Brahmana mentions a whole body of religious duties associated with Dharma.   

== स्मृतिः॥ Smrtis ==

=== स्मृतिः॥ Smrtis ===

Smrtis are the Dharmashastra granthas, given by seers as the 'remembered texts'. They are also texts which among many things mostly discuss the dharmas to be followed by people.   

Smrtis are the Dharmashastra granthas, given by seers as the 'remembered texts'. They are also texts which among many things mostly discuss the dharmas to be followed by people.   

Atri Smrti attributes the highest position of a Guru (गुरुः । teacher) to Vedas<ref name=":03" /><blockquote>नास्ति वेदात् परं शास्त्रं, नास्ति मातु:समो गुरु: || (Atri. Smri. 5.148)</blockquote><blockquote>nāsti vedāt paraṃ śāstraṃ, nāsti mātu:samo guru: || (Atri. Smri. 5.148)</blockquote>Meaning: There is no other shastra greater than Vedas, just as there is no greater Guru than the mother (to the child).

Atri Smrti attributes the highest position of a Guru (गुरुः । teacher) to Vedas<ref name=":03" /><blockquote>नास्ति वेदात् परं शास्त्रं, नास्ति मातु:समो गुरु: || (Atri. Smri. 5.148)</blockquote><blockquote>nāsti vedāt paraṃ śāstraṃ, nāsti mātu:samo guru: || (Atri. Smri. 5.148)</blockquote>Meaning: There is no other shastra greater than Vedas, just as there is no greater Guru than the mother (to the child).

== उपनिषदः ॥ Upanishads ==

=== उपनिषदः ॥ Upanishads ===

Chandogya Upanishad - peculiar duties of asramas and dharma came to mean 'duties and privileges of a person as a member of the Aryan community, as a member of the one of the varnas or as in a particular stage of life.

Chandogya Upanishad - peculiar duties of asramas and dharma came to mean 'duties and privileges of a person as a member of the Aryan community, as a member of the one of the varnas or as in a particular stage of life.

<blockquote>धर्मो विश्वस्य जगतः प्रतिष्ठा लोके धर्मिष्ठ प्रजा उपसर्पन्ति धर्मेण पापमपनुदति धर्मे सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितं तस्माद्धर्मं परमं वदन्ति ॥ ७॥ (Mahanarayana. Upan. 79.7)<ref>Mahanarayanopanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D All Anuvakas])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : Dharma is the  

<blockquote>धर्मो विश्वस्य जगतः प्रतिष्ठा लोके धर्मिष्ठ प्रजा उपसर्पन्ति धर्मेण पापमपनुदति धर्मे सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितं तस्माद्धर्मं परमं वदन्ति ॥ ७॥ (Mahanarayana. Upan. 79.7)<ref>Mahanarayanopanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D All Anuvakas])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : Dharma is the  

== षड्-दर्शनानि ॥ Shad Darshanas ==

=== षड्-दर्शनानि ॥ Shad Darshanas ===

[[Shad Darshanas (षड्दर्शनानि)|Shad Darshanas]], include साङ्ख्यः ॥ Sankhya, वैशेषिकः ॥ Vaisheshika, न्यायः ॥ Nyaya, पूर्वमीमांसा ॥ Purva Mimamsa, उत्तरमीमांसा ॥ Uttara Mimamsa (वेदान्तः ॥ Vedanta) and योगः ॥ Yoga. As they are deeply rooted in vedic principles, they are called आस्तिक-दर्शनानि ॥ Astika darshanas according to many scholars. Although some believe that Sankhya is not an Astika Darshana.   

[[Shad Darshanas (षड्दर्शनानि)|Shad Darshanas]], include साङ्ख्यः ॥ Sankhya, वैशेषिकः ॥ Vaisheshika, न्यायः ॥ Nyaya, पूर्वमीमांसा ॥ Purva Mimamsa, उत्तरमीमांसा ॥ Uttara Mimamsa (वेदान्तः ॥ Vedanta) and योगः ॥ Yoga. As they are deeply rooted in vedic principles, they are called आस्तिक-दर्शनानि ॥ Astika darshanas according to many scholars. Although some believe that Sankhya is not an Astika Darshana.   

=== न्याय-दर्शनम् ॥ Nyaya Darshana ===

==== न्याय-दर्शनम् ॥ Nyaya Darshana ====

गौतम-महर्षिः ॥ Gautama maharshi gave the न्याय-शास्त्रम् ॥ Nyaya shastra to the world. It is also classified as one of the उपाङ्ग-s || Upangas which, as part of the [[Vaidika Vangmaya (वैदिकवाङ्मयम्)|Vaidika vangmaya]], is important to understand Vedas.<blockquote>मन्त्रायुर्वेदप्रामाण्यवच्च तत्प्रामाण्यमाप्तप्रामाण्यात् || (Nyay. Shas. 2.1.69)<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/TheNyayaSutrasOfGotama/Vidyabhusana_Nyaya-Sutras_1913#page/n67/mode/2up/search/Book+II Nyaya Shastra of Goutama]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>mantrāyurvedaprāmāṇyavacca tatprāmāṇyamāptaprāmāṇyāt || (Nyay. Shas. 2.1.69)</blockquote>Meaning: Just like the mantras (spells) counteract the poisons and Ayurveda (medical science) prescribes reliable remedies (for diseases and prevention of disease) with authority (as they are given by the maharshis and sages who are authoritative about the subjects), so also Vedas are standard (unequivocal guidelines), as the मन्त्रद्रष्ट-s || mantra drastas or ऋषि-s || rushis to whom they were revealed are the righteous sages.<ref name=":03" />

गौतम-महर्षिः ॥ Gautama maharshi gave the न्याय-शास्त्रम् ॥ Nyaya shastra to the world. It is also classified as one of the उपाङ्ग-s || Upangas which, as part of the [[Vaidika Vangmaya (वैदिकवाङ्मयम्)|Vaidika vangmaya]], is important to understand Vedas.<blockquote>मन्त्रायुर्वेदप्रामाण्यवच्च तत्प्रामाण्यमाप्तप्रामाण्यात् || (Nyay. Shas. 2.1.69)<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/TheNyayaSutrasOfGotama/Vidyabhusana_Nyaya-Sutras_1913#page/n67/mode/2up/search/Book+II Nyaya Shastra of Goutama]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>mantrāyurvedaprāmāṇyavacca tatprāmāṇyamāptaprāmāṇyāt || (Nyay. Shas. 2.1.69)</blockquote>Meaning: Just like the mantras (spells) counteract the poisons and Ayurveda (medical science) prescribes reliable remedies (for diseases and prevention of disease) with authority (as they are given by the maharshis and sages who are authoritative about the subjects), so also Vedas are standard (unequivocal guidelines), as the मन्त्रद्रष्ट-s || mantra drastas or ऋषि-s || rushis to whom they were revealed are the righteous sages.<ref name=":03" />

=== वैशेषिक-दर्शनम् ॥ Vaisheshika Darshana ===

==== वैशेषिक-दर्शनम् ॥ Vaisheshika Darshana ====

कणाद-महर्षिः ॥ Kanada maharshi who authored the वैशेषिक-शास्त्रम् ॥ Vaisheshika shastra also considers that the Vedas were revealed by Supreme Being <blockquote>तद्वचनादाम्नायस्य प्रामाण्यम् । वैशेषिक-१,१.३ । (Vais. Shas. 1.1.3)<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Vaisheshika Sutras] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>tadvacanādāmnāyasya prāmāṇyam । vaiśeṣika-1,1.3 । (Vais. Shas. 1.1.3)</blockquote>In expounding पदार्थानां धर्म ॥ padārthānāṃ dharmaḥ (nature of matter), Kanada took for प्रमाणम् ॥ pramana (source of valid knowledge), the Vedas (आम्नायः ॥ Amnaya)  

कणाद-महर्षिः ॥ Kanada maharshi who authored the वैशेषिक-शास्त्रम् ॥ Vaisheshika shastra also considers that the Vedas were revealed by Supreme Being <blockquote>तद्वचनादाम्नायस्य प्रामाण्यम् । वैशेषिक-१,१.३ । (Vais. Shas. 1.1.3)<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Vaisheshika Sutras] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>tadvacanādāmnāyasya prāmāṇyam । vaiśeṣika-1,1.3 । (Vais. Shas. 1.1.3)</blockquote>In expounding पदार्थानां धर्म ॥ padārthānāṃ dharmaḥ (nature of matter), Kanada took for प्रमाणम् ॥ pramana (source of valid knowledge), the Vedas (आम्नायः ॥ Amnaya)  

=== मीमांसा ॥ Mimamsa ===

==== मीमांसा ॥ Mimamsa ====

पूर्वमीमांसा ॥ Purva mimamsa deals extensively with कर्मकाण्डः ॥ Karmakanda while उत्तरमीमांसा ॥ Uttara mimamsa (वेदान्तः ॥ [[Vedanta]]) deals with मोक्षकाण्डः ॥ Mokshakanda of vedas. Mimamsa attained significance as many vedic interpretations are based and debated on the basis of the logic and rules set forth by this shastra.<blockquote>नित्यस्तु स्याद् दर्शनस्य परार्थत्वात् || (Mima. Shas. 1.1.18)</blockquote><blockquote>nityastu syād darśanasya parārthatvāt || (Mima. Shas. 1.1.18)</blockquote>

पूर्वमीमांसा ॥ Purva mimamsa deals extensively with कर्मकाण्डः ॥ Karmakanda while उत्तरमीमांसा ॥ Uttara mimamsa (वेदान्तः ॥ [[Vedanta]]) deals with मोक्षकाण्डः ॥ Mokshakanda of vedas. Mimamsa attained significance as many vedic interpretations are based and debated on the basis of the logic and rules set forth by this shastra.<blockquote>नित्यस्तु स्याद् दर्शनस्य परार्थत्वात् || (Mima. Shas. 1.1.18)</blockquote><blockquote>nityastu syād darśanasya parārthatvāt || (Mima. Shas. 1.1.18)</blockquote>

== महाभारतम् ॥ Mahabharata ==

=== महाभारतम् ॥ Mahabharata ===

Maharshi Vedavyasa in Mahabharata extols that Vedas are the path of life for all beings. Abundant instances about the Dharmas to be followed and their Vedic foundation are emphasized in Mahabharata, many instances being instruction of Yudhisthira by Bhishma and reputed rshis.<blockquote>अनादिनिधनानित्या, वागुत्सृष्टा स्वयम्भुवा | आदौ वेदमयी दिव्या, यत: सर्वा: प्रवृत्तय: || (Maha. Shan. 232.24)<ref>Shri Mahabharatam ([http://www.rsvidyapeetha.ac.in/cgi-bin/maha/out-parva.cgi Shanti Parva])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>anādinidhanānityā, vāgutsṛṣṭā svayambhuvā | ādau vedamayī divyā, yata: sarvā: pravṛttaya: || (Maha. Shan. 232.24)</blockquote>Meaning : In the beginning of सृष्टिः ॥ Srishti, the self existent Creator, revealed the Eternal and Divine Vedas, as they show the path for all activities of every being.<ref name=":03" />

Maharshi Vedavyasa in Mahabharata extols that Vedas are the path of life for all beings. Abundant instances about the Dharmas to be followed and their Vedic foundation are emphasized in Mahabharata, many instances being instruction of Yudhisthira by Bhishma and reputed rshis.<blockquote>अनादिनिधनानित्या, वागुत्सृष्टा स्वयम्भुवा | आदौ वेदमयी दिव्या, यत: सर्वा: प्रवृत्तय: || (Maha. Shan. 232.24)<ref>Shri Mahabharatam ([http://www.rsvidyapeetha.ac.in/cgi-bin/maha/out-parva.cgi Shanti Parva])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>anādinidhanānityā, vāgutsṛṣṭā svayambhuvā | ādau vedamayī divyā, yata: sarvā: pravṛttaya: || (Maha. Shan. 232.24)</blockquote>Meaning : In the beginning of सृष्टिः ॥ Srishti, the self existent Creator, revealed the Eternal and Divine Vedas, as they show the path for all activities of every being.<ref name=":03" />