Archaeologists in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh have discovered a series of granite pillars inscribed with a text titled Karuna-Niti. Dating to the late 5th century, these inscriptions outline a comprehensive philosophy of universal empathy, advocating for the ethical treatment of all sentient beings as a prerequisite for social stability. The text blends Vedic injunctions with early non-dualist ethics.
The inscriptions describe a system of governance where the 'heart of the king' is expected to mirror the 'heart of the universe,' emphasizing that justice is an extension of compassion (Karuna). Scholars believe this finding points to a distinct regional school of ethical philosophy that flourished in South India before the rise of the major Bhakti movements.