Pramanas for Dharma (धर्मप्रमाणानि)
परिचय || Introduction
Manusmriti
According to Manu, those aspiring to know Dharmas should seek refuge in Vedas.
धर्मजिज्ञासानां प्रमाणं परमं श्रुतिः ॥ (Manusmriti (2.3))
Meaning : For those greatly interested seekers of Dharma, the Vedas (Shrutis) are the highest authority.
वेदोऽखिलो धर्ममूलम् ॥ (Manusmriti (2.6))
Meaning: Indeed ! Vedas are the source of all Dharmas.
That the Vedas are the very treasure house of all Dharmas was unequivocally and unquestionably proclaimed by Manu, the first Law-giver after the Vedas as follows
विभर्ति सर्वभूतानि, वेदशास्त्रं सनातनम् | तस्मादेतत्परं मन्ये, यज्जन्तोरस्य साधनम् || (Manusmriti (12.99))
Meaning: The eternal Veda shastra upholds or protects all beings (by being their flawless guideline). Those endeavoring for the welfare of all beings (यज्जन्तः) regard Vedas as their authoritative instrument in achieving it.
This Smriti, on which is based the present day Indian Judiciary system, claims its foundation on Vedas thus
न वेदशास्त्रादन्यत् तु, किंचिच्छास्त्रं हि विद्यते |
निस्सृतं सर्वशास्त्रं तु, वेदशास्त्रात् सनातनात् ||
Meaning : There are no greater shastras other than the Vedas, as all shastras arose from the eternal Veda shastras only.
Atri Smriti
Atri Smriti attributes the highest position of a Guru (teacher) to Vedas
नास्ति वेदात् परं शास्त्रं, नास्ति मातु:समो गुरु: || (Atri. Smri. 148)
Meaning: There is no other shastra greater than Vedas, just as there is no greater Guru than the mother (to the child).
Aitereya Brahmana
Brahmanas ascribe the origin of Vedas from the Creator of the Universe, Brahma
प्रजापतिवर्वा इमान् वेदानसृजत् ||
Meaning : Prajapati or Brahma created (or expounded) these Vedas.
Mundaka Upanishad
The Upanishad texts base their spiritual philosophy on Vedas and describe the origin of vedas to be from the Parabrahman or Infinite Consciousness.
तस्मादृच: साम यजूंषि दीक्षा || (Mund. Upan. 2.1.6)
Meaning: From Him (the Parabrahma) arise the the mantras of Rig, Yajus and Sama vedas.
Brihdaranyaka Upanishad
....एतस्य वा महतो भूतस्य नि:श्वसितमेतद् यद् ऋग्वेदो यजुर्वेद: सामवेदोऽथर्वाङ्गिरस .... || (Brih. Upan. 4.5.11)
Meaning: From the breath (exhalation) of this Supreme Being have arisen the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvanaveda.
Mahabharata
Maharshi Vedavyasa in Mahabharata
अनादिनिधनानित्या, वागुत्सृष्टा स्वयम्भुवा |
आदौ वेदमयी दिव्या, यत: सर्वा: प्रवृत्तय: || (Maha. 12.232.24)
Meaning : In the beginning of Sristi, the self existent Creator, revealed the Eternal and Divine Vedas, as they are they show the path for all activities of every being.
Vedas in Shad Darshanas
Nyaya Shastra
Goutama maharshi gave the Nyaya shastra to the world. It is classified as one of the shad vedangas which is very vital for the understanding of Vedas.
मन्त्रायुर्वेदप्रामाण्यवच्च तत्प्रामाण्यमाप्तप्रामाण्यात् || (Nyay. Shas. 2.1.69)
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 mantra drastas or rushis to whom they were revealed are the righteous sages.
Meemamsa
नित्यस्तु स्याद् दर्शनस्य परार्थत्वात् ||