Dharmaśāstra (Law Books)

धर्मशास्त्रम्

Dharmaśāstra is the body of ancient Hindu legal and ethical literature that codifies dharma — the duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues and the right way of living. Rooted in the Dharmasūtras of the Vedāṅga period, Dharmaśāstra evolved into comprehensive law books (Smṛtis) covering personal conduct, social order, statecraft, civil and criminal law, inheritance, purity, penances, and the stages of life. The three most authoritative Smṛtis are Manusmṛti, Yājñavalkya Smṛti, and Nārada Smṛti.