Dharma Sutra — Four Sources of Dharma
Apastamba Dharma Sutra / Manu Smriti · 1 · Verse 1
kalpadharmafour-sourcesvedasmritisadacharaconscience
Sanskrit Original
वेदः स्मृतिः सदाचारश्च स्वस्य च प्रियमात्मनः। एतच्चतुर्विधं प्राहुः साक्षाद् धर्मस्य लक्षणम्॥
vedaḥ smṛtiḥ sadācāraś ca svasya ca priyam ātmanaḥ | etac caturvidhaṃ prāhuḥ sākṣād dharmasya lakṣaṇam ||
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The four sources of Dharma: (1) Veda (scripture), (2) Smṛti (remembered law texts), (3) Sadācāra (good conduct of the virtuous/learned), (4) Priya ātmanas — what is pleasing to one's own soul (conscience). These four, in order, are the direct definition of Dharma. Based on Manu Smriti 2.12 and related Dharma Sutra passages.