Philosophy of Dharma (Law)

Summary

J. N. C. Ganguly’s paper “Philosophy of Dharma (Law)” investigates the multifaceted concept of dharma, which in Indian thought connotes righteousness, law, duty and social order. Ganguly begins by tracing the evolution of dharma from Vedic notions of ritual propriety to the more ethical emphasis of the Upanishads and the Bhagavad-Gita. He explains that in early texts dharma signified actions that sustain cosmic harmony, while later literature extends it to include moral duties and societal laws. The article distinguishes between different categories of dharma: varna-dharma (duties based on social class), asrama-dharma (duties based on life stage), samanya-dharma (universal ethical principles) and apaddharma (emergency ethics). It examines how classical dharmasastra texts codified legal and moral norms covering property, family, inheritance and penal law, and notes the influence of Vedic exegesis on jurisprudence. Ganguly then explores philosophical interpretations of dharma in various schools. For the Mimamsakas, dharma is primarily the injunctions of the Veda, knowable only through revelation. The article contrasts this with the Bhagavad-Gita’s identification of dharma with svadharma—one’s own duty—and emphasises nishkama karma, selfless action. Buddhist and Jain perspectives are mentioned to highlight debates over whether dharma is an external law or a quality inherent in phenomena. Ganguly argues that the notion of dharma as law influenced ancient Indian polity: kings were seen as upholders of dharma, and legal procedures were grounded in scriptural authority. He also points out tensions between rigid scriptural interpretations and evolving social realities. The paper concludes that the Indian concept of dharma combines positive law, moral philosophy and metaphysical order, making it a uniquely integrated concept of “law” that differs from modern secular jurisprudence.