Sources of Dharma

There are four sources for knowing Dharma.

1. Sruthi (literally meaning that is which is heard): It is Vedas or Agamas.
2. Smrithi (literally meaning that which is remembered): The ancient tradition followed in accordance with Sruthis are revealed in Smrithis. Dharmasastra, Itihasa, and Purana are included in Smrithis. Manusmrithi among Dharmasatras, Mahabharata and Ramayana among Ithihaasa could be cited as examples for Smrithis. Smrithis are authority for Dharma after Sruthis.
3. Sadachara (meaning good conduct): The conduct of good people of the society who know Vedas / Smrithis.
4. Atma Priyat (Personal preference): Self conciousness could be taken as the authority of the Dharma only as the fourth option.

It is important to note the description associated with the Sruthis. Vedas are 'Anaadi' – beginning less. Further, Vedas was created by God at the beginning of the universe and were revealed to the Rishis. Many of us find it difficult to accept that Vedas are ever existent. Equating Vedas to some books strengthens this doubt. But, an analogy helps in explaining the description. The law of gravitation existed before its discovery, and would exist even if we forget it. We are governed by the law of gravitation even if we are ignorant of its existence. Viewed this way, the explanation looks more reasonable. Dharma, as revealed by Sruthis was available to the world always.

If Dharma was defined at some point on the time scale (in history), then, people who were living before that time had no chance of knowing what is right / wrong. God being all knowing and all powerful, can not be biased against some people like this. In this way, the Sruthis, which is the first source of Dharma has to be beginning less[21].

Some people feel that the Dharmic concepts were evolved over a period of time and they have to be refined further. Vedas have Indisputable antiquity. At the same time, we find in them truths truer than any subsequently discovered. This disproves the theory of evolution with respect to the Dharma[18].

The order of the source of Dharma is very convincing. Since it is revealed by God, it must be flawless. Therefore it has to be first source of Dharma. Smrithis are the tradition that is based on Sruthis as remembered by those who compiled them like Manu. So, it naturally takes the second place. Good Conduct or Sadachara when practiced collectively ensures social semblance. So, it has the third place. In the absence of all these sources, decision convincing to self consciousness becomes the authority for the Dharma.

Notes:The claim that Vedas were ever existent commands benefit of doubt for the following reasons. No other literary work could claim to be older than or as old as Vedas. There are many attempts to date the Vedas but the discussions are so much confusing that no credible conclusions could be derived. It is only suspicion that Vedas could not be beginning less. So far, there is no credible evidence available about the date of creation of Vedas.

Observation 2: The description about sources of Dharma is logical and credible.