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A Treatise on Dharma

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A Treatise on Dharma by Yajnavalkya explores the ancient Hindu legal and ethical code known as Dharma. The text delves into the various facets of moral laws and duties that govern individuals and society. Focusing on the principles that guide righteous conduct, it provides historical insights into how these traditional beliefs have influenced aspects of personal and public life.
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Format: Hardback
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This book may appeal to you if you are interested in exploring ancient Indian law, religious duties, and moral principles. It offers insights into historical legal frameworks and societal norms, providing valuable context for anyone fascinated by history, military practices, or philosophical teachings from a bygone era.

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A Treatise on Dharma, written in the fourth or fifth century, illuminates major innovations in religious, civil, and criminal law, and informed Indian life for a thousand years. This new critical edition, presented alongside the Sanskrit original in the Devanagari script, opens the classical age of ancient Indian law to modern readers.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A Treatise on Dharma, written in the fourth or fifth century, is the finest example of the genre of dharmasXXXXāstra—texts on religious, civil, and criminal law and the duties of rulers—that informed Indian life for a thousand years. It illuminates major cultural innovations, such as the prominence of documents in commercial and legal proceedings, the use of ordeals in resolving disputes, and the growing importance of yoga in spiritual practices.

Composed by an anonymous author during the reign of the imperial Guptas, the Treatise is ascribed to the Upanishadic philosopher Yajnavalkya, whose instruction of a group of sages serves as the frame narrative for the work. It became the most influential legal text in medieval India, and a twelfth-century interpretation came to be considered "the law of the land" under British rule.

This translation of A Treatise on Dharma, based on a new critical edition and presented alongside the Sanskrit original in the Devanagari script, opens the classical age of ancient Indian law to modern readers.

Series: Murty Classical Library of India

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780674277069

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 14 January 2019

Country: United States

Imprint: Harvard University Press

Contributors:

  • Edited and translated by Patrick Olivelle

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 133.0mm

Height: 203.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 432

About the Author

Patrick Olivelle is Emeritus Professor of Sanskrit and Indian Religions at the University of Texas at Austin.

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