Dharma Shastra: The Foundations of Indian Law

Dharmasastra is a significant genre of Sanskrit literature that lays down the principles of Dharma (righteous conduct), covering the legal, social and moral codes of life in ancient and medieval India. Evolving from the Dharmasutras (a component of the Vedanga, Kalpasutras), this body of work expanded through the Smriti texts such as the Manusmriti, Yajnavalkya-smriti, and others. These classical texts codify Hindu law, ethics, and duties, offering insights into the legal and cultural fabric of India’s heritage.

Later, digests and commentaries built on these foundations, made the Dharmasastra an essential resource for understanding the historical evolution of Indian jurisprudence and civil conduct.
In this engaging series, Dr. Parineeta Deshpande, a scholar of Sanskrit and Indian philosophy, presents a concise history of Dharmasastra literature. She highlights its key texts, interprets their relevance in contemporary contexts, and explores the style, structure, and significance of Dharmasastra in shaping Indian legal traditions.

This album features recordings from a webinar conducted at Adi Sankara Nilayam in October 2024.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Parineeta Deshpande is a distinguished academic and Sanskrit scholar. A recipient of the Open Merit Scholarship and UGC Research Fellowship, she earned her Ph.D. from the University of Mumbai in 1985 with a dissertation titled “Critical Study of the Ritual Legends from the Brahmana Texts.”

She has served as the Hon. Director of the Kane Chair at the Asiatic Society of Mumbai and has guided numerous Ph.D. candidates in Sanskrit. Her papers have been published in national and international journals and conference proceedings, establishing her as a leading voice in Vedic and Dharmasastra studies.