Gautama Dharmasutras
By Swami Harshananda
Religion has always considered dharma[1] as a basic value which must cover all the individual and social aspects of life. Dharmasutra literature is one of the earliest classes of scriptures dealing with dharma.
Significance of Gautama Dharmasutras[edit]
The Dharmasutras of Gautama has been considered quite ancient (600-400 A.C.) infact the oldest and authoritative dharmasutra work. It has been held in high esteem by the later writers of dharmaśāstras.
Gautam Dharmasutra Era[edit]
There is reason to believe that the Dharmasutras of Gautama is an independent work and not a part of the Kalpasutras. The sage Gautama probably belonged to the Rāṇāyānīya school of the Sāmaveda.
Aspects of Gautama Dharmasutras[edit]
The Gautama Dharmasutras is written entirely in prose and has 28 chapters. A brief summary of the contents can now be attempted:
- Sources of dharma
- Details of the upanayana sacrament
- The four āśramas
- Rules concerning marriage and the duties of a householder
- The pañcamahāyajñas or the five daily sacrifices
- The duties of the four varṇas
- Rājadharma or the duties and responsibilities of a king
- Crime and punishment
- Rules concerning law-suits
- Śrāddhas or obsequial ceremonies
- Rules regulating food and eating
- On women
- Sins and their expiations
- Penances
- Partition of property and related matters
Commentaries on Gautama Dharmasutra[edit]
This work has a bhāṣya or commentary by Maskarin (A. D. 900) and another one called Mitāksarā by Haradatta (A. D. 1100).
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore