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Dharmasutras (Samskrit: धर्मसूत्राणि) are a class of ancient samskrit texts of Bharatavarsha, expounding the principles of dharma. Studied as a part of the [[Kalpa Vedanga (कल्पवेदाङ्गम्)|Kalpa Vedanga]] texts, they are categorized as Sutragranthas, primarily because a majority of these texts are composed in Sutra style of writing or short terse aphorisms. The sutras lay equal stress on the trivarga; Dharma, Artha and Kama, but do not discuss anything at length about Moksha.<ref name=":0">Gopal, Ram. (1959) ''India of Vedic Kalpasutras.'' Delhi : National Publishing House</ref>  

Dharmasutras (Samskrit: धर्मसूत्राणि) are a class of ancient samskrit texts of Bharatavarsha, represent the codification of a long tradition of expounding the principles of dharma. Studied as a part of the [[Kalpa Vedanga (कल्पवेदाङ्गम्)|Kalpa Vedanga]] texts, they are categorized as Sutragranthas, primarily because a majority of these texts are composed in Sutra style of writing or short terse aphorisms. The sutras lay equal stress on the trivarga; Dharma, Artha and Kama, but do not discuss anything at length about Moksha.<ref name=":0">Gopal, Ram. (1959) ''India of Vedic Kalpasutras.'' Delhi : National Publishing House</ref>  

 

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

== Typical Features of Dharmasutras ==

== Typical Features of Dharmasutras ==

Mention usually as the third of the Kalpasutras, Dharmasutras have some characteristics which set them apart from the other texts of Kalpas.  

Mention usually as the third of the Kalpasutras, Dharmasutras have some characteristics which set them apart from the other texts of Kalpas. Of the Kalpasutras, the Shrauta and Grhyasutras confine themselves to the ritualistic matters of the Karmakanda, whereas the Dharmasutras directed the moral, and ethical norms of people irrespective of the rituals, thus became universally applicable treatises. 

=== Authors of Dharmasutras ===

=== Authors of Dharmasutras ===

Many scholars opine that there is no means to determine the exact number of texts composed as part of the Kalpa Sutragranthas. Neither the number nor the time of composition can be determined and it is highly debatable by many. The dharmasutras of Gautama, Baudhayana, Apastamba, Vashistha, Vaikhanasa and Vishnu are included into the major works, as per S. C. Banerji. He also quotes law books of Atri, Ushanas, Kanva, Kaanva, Kashyapa, Kaasyapa, Kaatyayana, Gaargya, Chyavana, Jamadagni, Jaatukarnya, Devala, Javali, Prajapati, Brhaspati, Bharadvaja, Sataatapa, Harita and many others, known only from quotations found in later Smrti digests and have been designated as minor works by him.<ref name=":1">Sarma, Ratul (2013) Ph.D. Thesis Title : ''The Gautamadharmasutra, A Study. [https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/115204/9/09_chapter%201.pdf Chapter 1]. Gauhati University''</ref>

Many scholars opine that there is no means to determine the exact number of texts composed as part of the Kalpa Sutragranthas. Neither the number nor the time of composition can be determined and it is highly debatable by many. The dharmasutras of Gautama, Baudhayana, Apastamba, Vashistha, Vaikhanasa and Vishnu are included into the major works, as per S. C. Banerji. He also quotes law books of Atri, Ushanas, Kanva, Kaanva, Kashyapa, Kaasyapa, Kaatyayana, Gaargya, Chyavana, Jamadagni, Jaatukarnya, Devala, Javali, Prajapati, Brhaspati, Bharadvaja, Sataatapa, Harita and many others, known only from quotations found in later Smrti digests and have been designated as minor works by him.<ref name=":1">Sarma, Ratul (2013) Ph.D. Thesis Title : ''The Gautamadharmasutra, A Study. [https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/115204/9/09_chapter%201.pdf Chapter 1]. Gauhati University''</ref>

=== Sutra style of Writing ===

=== Sutra style of Writing ===

The word dharmasutra means the sutras dealing with dharma. A sutra which a means a short or concise technical sentence (condensing a large meaning within), is the characteristic style if writing in which many ancient texts were composed. Brevity of the subject-matter is the important feature of the sutragranthas. However, these sutras are not the same as the vyakarana sutras such as those in Maharshi Panini's Ashtadhyayi.<ref name=":1" />  

The word dharmasutra means the sutras dealing with dharma. A sutra which means a short or concise technical sentence (condensing a large meaning within), is the characteristic style if writing in which many ancient texts were composed. Brevity of the subject-matter is the important feature of the sutragranthas. However, these sutras are not the same as the vyakarana sutras such as those in Maharshi Panini's Ashtadhyayi. Given the brevity of each sutra, it is mostly impossible to understand the meaning without the context and required an oral explanation (as in the early days) or commentary.<ref name=":1" />

 

=== समयाचारधर्मः ॥ Samayachara Dharmas ===

=== समयाचारधर्मः ॥ Samayachara Dharmas ===

|Gautama

|Gautama

|Samaveda, Rananiyashaka according to Charanavyuha

|Samaveda, Rananiyashaka according to Charanavyuha

|28 Adhyayas  

|28 Adhyayas (composed in sutra format)

|Widely accepted as the earliest DS text  

|Widely accepted as the earliest DS text. Commentary by Haradatta.

|-

|-

|Baudhayana

|Baudhayana

|Apastamba

|Apastamba

|Yajurveda

|Yajurveda

|28th and 29th Prashnas of Apastamba Kalpa both in sutra and sloka format

|28th and 29th Prashnas of Apastamba Kalpa (1364 Sutras and 30 shlokas)

|Commentary by Haradatta

|Commentary by Haradatta

|-

|-

|Unique in mentioning the custom of ''suttee,'' the word ''Pustaka'' for a book, days of a week, Trimurtis and many tirthas in the South of India. Close identity with Manusmrti.

|Unique in mentioning the custom of ''suttee,'' the word ''Pustaka'' for a book, days of a week, Trimurtis and many tirthas in the South of India. Close identity with Manusmrti.

|}

|}

== Discussion ==

== Discussion ==