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Morality, Authority and Society : The Problem of Dharmapramanya 105
proper duties i.e. sva-dhai ma The caste-duties are objectively fixed in a social order divinely sanctioned and cosinic forces also support those who stand for Dharma. The only thing that an individual can therefore do is to live upto his own vauna dharma irrespective of the consequences and without selfish motives or any attachment. General duties, nioral qualites and virtues constitute Sádhārana Dharma which has been recognized by the Gita, Dharmasastras and Puäuas
Thus there are only two basic categories 1.e. Varņāśrama-Dharma and Sadharana-Dharama Yajna-dhaima (in the Mināmsā sense) is a part of Varna-dharma.
III Sources of Dharma
As Dharma can not be kuown by perception or inference, Sabda is the only means of knowledge about Dhaima according to Mimāmsā. Vedas according to Jaimini are eterual, self existent and absolutely authoritative. According to Kumula, those parts of Smrtis which are concerned with Dharma and Moksa have Vedas as their source. 4
The customs, usages and piactices of siştas, (sadacāra), also constitute legitimate sources of Dharma. Of course, according to Kumārila, Sistas are those that perform religious rites and duties expressly enjoined by the Vedas. 5 The works of heretical sects, those that are outside the pale of Vedas, do not consitute authoritative source for the knowledge of Dharma. All Dharmaśāstras (i.e. the Sāstras of Manu, Yājñavalkya, Nārada and others as well as all Dharmasūtras (i.e., the sūtras of Gautma, Baudhāyana, Āpastamba and others ) ale regarded as valid sources of dharma along with Epics and Purānas.
It has also been claimed that all Dharmasutras are concerned with imparting instructions in the dharma of Varnas and Aśramas,
The role of Tarka is very limited. Reasoning which does not directly conflict with Vedas and Sastras is to be accepted. It is employed when there is a conflict among various texts.
IV Conflict among the Sources of Dharma
As Sruti, Smrti and Sadācāra are the three basic sources of
Sambodhi XII-14
