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philosophy

12th-Century 'Dharma-Vichara' Inscriptions in the Krishna River Valley Detailing the Ethics of Equitable Action

📅 April 3, 2026 📰 South Asian Antiquity
12th-Century 'Dharma-Vichara' Inscriptions in the Krishna River Valley Detailing the Ethics of Equitable Action

New inscriptions found on basalt pillars near the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh have been identified as the 'Dharma-Vichara', a set of 12th-century philosophical guidelines for local governance. The inscriptions detail the metaphysical justification for Danam (charity) and social equity, rooting these practices in the Vedic concept of the interconnectedness of all living beings.

The text is unique for its time, as it explicitly argues against rigid social hierarchies when it comes to the administration of justice and the distribution of communal resources. It describes equitable action as a form of high-level yoga, where the administrator must achieve a state of mental neutrality to truly serve the collective good.

Original source: South Asian Antiquity