Dharma Shastras

Dharma Shastras are ancient texts, which prescribed rules for the Indian society, as found in the Vedas. These texts attributed to different sages, give the rules of good conduct, rules for legal practice, and for penance.

Manusmriti, written by the ancient lawgiver Manu, is the most important of the Dharma Shastras. Other Dharma Shastras were written by the sages Yajnavalkya, Vishnu, Narada, Brihaspati, Katyayana and others. Dharma Shastras were consulted by those in authority, mostly the Brahmins.