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# New Shastras of Cautama ## Nyaya Shastra of Gautama ## Vaisheshika Shastra of Kanada ## Purva Mimansa of Jaimini ## Uttar Mimansa of Vyasa These Shastras are in fact like a mirror which give a clear reflection of Indian philosophy. # The Dharma Shastras In the Later Vedic Period, a new form of...

# New Shastras of Cautama ## Nyaya Shastra of Gautama ## Vaisheshika Shastra of Kanada ## Purva Mimansa of Jaimini ## Uttar Mimansa of Vyasa These Shastras are in fact like a mirror which give a clear reflection of Indian philosophy. # The Dharma Shastras In the Later Vedic Period, a new form of literature with regard to new social customs developed. These new customs were collected in the Dharmashastras, or "books on dharma." Dharma is a fundamental Hindu concept, which can mean "religion," "duty," "law," or "social order." Thus, Dharmashastras are mostly concerned with laying down guidelines for an organized and orderly society, where the ideal conduct of every person with a particular social status, age, and gender is defined in accordance with moral laws. ## Though all the law-books deal with the same topic yet they are known by different names viz. Dharmashastra, Dharmasutra and Smriti. The whole literature on Dharmashastra may be divided into three groups: - The Sutras which were composed during 600-300 BCE - The Smritis (c. 200 BCE - 900 CE) - The Tikas and Bhashyas (commentaries), Sangrahas and Nibandhas were composed from the ninth century up to the eighteenth century CE. According to S.C. Bannerji, "While all Dharmasutras are Dharmashastras, all Dharmashastras are not Dharmasutras." The Dharma Shastras contain a detailed account pertaining to four Ashrams - Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vana Prastha and Sanyas Ashram, and also describe the duties enshrined in each of the Ashrams. These also explain various types of samskaras including marriage, different varieties of sraddhas, rules for taking food, woman's property, different kinds of inheritance, duties and responsibilities of the king, rules for taxation, money-lending system, various kinds of sins, penances etc. Thus, the Dharma Shastras being a treatise on the civil and criminal laws, have a great significance from the historical angle. ## Sutras Sutras were compiled around sixth century BCE to provide norms, rules and regulations to consolidate Vedic religion. This was the time when new kingdoms as well as new religions like Buddhism and Jainism were emerging. As such Sutras throw ample light on such processes going through during 6th century BCE. They are divided into three parts: - Shrauta Sutras: They deal with the yajnas, sacrifices and other religious rites and rituals.