Ancient Sources of Hindu Law — KSLU Family Law 1 Notes

Ancient Sources of Hindu Law

Yajnavalkya Smriti: “Shruti, Smriti, Sadachara [conduct of good men], Priyam Atmanah [what is agreeable to oneself], and Samyak Sankalpaja [intent born of proper resolution] — these five are declared to be the root of Dharma.”

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    ROOT --> A["Shruti<br/>(Vedas — highest authority,<br/>divine revelation)"]:::leaf
    ROOT --> B["Smriti<br/>(Manu, Yajnavalkya,<br/>Narada, Parasara)"]:::leaf
    ROOT --> C["Commentaries & Digests<br/>(Mitakshara — Vijnanesvara<br/>Dayabaga — Jimutavahana)"]:::leaf
    ROOT --> D["Custom<br/>(Sadachara — conduct<br/>of good men)"]:::leaf

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The hierarchy runs: the Vedas (Shruti — divine revelation, highest authority) → the Smritis (Manusmriti, Yajnavalkya Smriti, etc. — sages systematising Vedic teaching) → Commentaries & Digests (Mitakshara by Vijnanesvara, Dayabaga by Jimutavahana, reconciling conflicting Smritis) → Custom. In Collector of Madura v. Moottoo Ramalinga (1868), the Privy Council itself relied on the Mitakshara and Dayabaga to settle a property dispute — establishing this hierarchy for Indian courts.

Why the order matters in an exam answer: A student who lists these sources in random order loses structure marks. Shruti is “heard” (revelation, eternal and unalterable); Smriti is “remembered” (interpretation, can be debated); Commentaries harmonise conflicting Smritis for practical application; Custom fills the remaining gaps where even the commentaries are silent. That descending order — from divine revelation to lived practice — is itself the answer’s backbone.