Dharma Shastras is the collective name for the various law books of the Hindus, which regulate their political, religious and social life. According to one authority there are 47 ancient sages who have given laws to the Hindus.
All of them, however, have not been recognised as such by all sects. Yagnavalkya, himself a law-giver mentions twenty lawgivers including him.
They are: (1) Manu (2) Yagnavalkya (3) Atri (4) Vishu (5) Harita (6) Usanas (7) Angiras (8) Apartambha (9) Yama (10) Brihaspati (11) Parasara (12) Samvarta (13) Katyayana (14) Daksha (15) Vyasa (16) Likhita (17) Sankha (18) Gautama (19) Shatatapa (20) Vashishta.
Of all the law books, the code of Manu is the most ancient, comprehensive and authoritative. Manu is a mythical personage, believed to be the progenitor of mankind and the originator of law.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The code of Manu is of great antiquity, only less ancient than the three first Vedas. Later writers made additions in the name of Manu and some passages in the code breathe the spirit of medieval writers.
The social theory on which the code is based is founded on caste. The whole design of the code is to perpetuate the supremacy of the Brahmins to whom even kinship is subordinate.
The discipline imposed on Brahmins themselves by Manu is very rigid and the life of a Brahmin is to be a duty towards him and to others. Next in importance to Manu comes Yagnavlkya.
Parasara is however considered the most reliable authority for the Kaliyuga. Says the code of Parasara: The laws of various ages are different, Manu’s law-book belongs to the Kritayuga, Gautama’s to the Treta, that of Sankha and Likhita to the Dwapara and Parasara’s code to the Kaliyuga.