Studies in Hindu Law and Dharmaśāstra

Ludo Rocher

Anthem Press, Oct 1, 2014 - Religion - 760 pages

The main sources for an understanding of classical Hindu law are the Sanskrit treatises on religious and legal duties, known as the Dharmaśāstras. In this collection of his major studies in the field, Ludo Rocher presents essays on a wide range of topics, from general themes such as the nature of Hindu law to technical matters including word studies and text criticism. Rocher’s deep engagement with the language and worldview of the authors in the Dharmaśāstra tradition yields distinctive and corrective contributions to the field. This collection serves as an invaluable introduction to a leading authority in the field of Indology.

Contents

• Foreword by Richard W Lariviere: 9
• Note on the Edition: 15
• Part One the nature Of hindu: 37
• The Historical Foundations of Ancient Indian Law: 59
• Where to Draw the Line: 83
• The Indian Dharmaśāstras: 103
• Schools of Hindu Law: 119
• Changing Patterns of Diversification in Hindu Law: 129
• Part twO GeneraL tOPics Of hindu: 143
• The Normative Texts: 201
• Megasthenes on Indian Lawbooks: 215
• The Status of Minors according to Classical Hindu Law: 235
• Quandoque bonus dormitatJīmūtavāhanas?: 249
• Notes on Mixed Castes in Classical India: 255
• The Principle of Spiritual Benefit: 267
• The Theory of Matrimonial Causes According: 279
• The Divinity of Royal Power in Ancient India: 315
• A Few Considerations on Monocracy in AncientIndia: 331
• Part three hindu LeGaL PrOcedure: 359
• The Problem of the Mixed Reply in Ancient Hindu Law: 395
• Mitra Miśras Criticism: 405
• Lawyers in Classical Hindu Law: 417
• Anumāna in the Bṛhaspatismṛti: 435
• Possession Held for Three Generations by Persons Related: 445
• The Vīramitrodaya on the Right of Private Defence: 451
• The Technical Term Anubandha in Sanskrit Legal Literature: 473
• Vātsyāyanas Attitude: 481
• In Defense of Jīmūtavāhana: 497
• Dāsadāsī: 503
• The Definition of Vākparuṣya: 513
• The First Chapters: 527
• Karma and Rebirth in the Dharmaśāstras: 539
• Fine Pecuniary Penalty: 565
• Avyāvahārika Debts and Kauṭilya 3 1 111 The Sūtras and Śāstras on the Eight Types of Marriage 581: 581
• Caritraṃ Pustakaraṇe: 597
• The Terms Niyukta Aniyukta and Niyoga: 603
• The Aurasa Son: 613
• The Introduction of the Gautamadharmasūtra: 623
• Part five anGLOhindu and custOmary: 631
• Can a Murderer Inherit his Victims Estate? British Responses: 643

About the author

Ludo Rocher is W. Norman Brown Professor Emeritus of South Asia Regional Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

Donald R. Davis, Jr. is associate professor of South Asian religions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Studies in Hindu Law and Dharmaśāstra; Anthem South Asian Normative Traditions Studies
• Author: Ludo Rocher
• Editor: Donald R. Davis, Jr
• Contributor: Richard W. Lariviere
• Edition: reprint
• Publisher: Anthem Press, 2014
• ISBN: 1783083158, 9781783083152
• Length: 760 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Hinduism / Sacred Writings