In a major archaeological breakthrough, inscriptions on a series of copper plates have been found in the Godavari River basin. Known as the 'Dharma-Veda' (The Knowledge of Right Conduct), the text dates back to the 5th century BCE and details a unique philosophy of social symbiosis. It argues that social harmony is not a result of laws, but of Anyonya-Dharma—the mutual recognition of the divine essence in every living being.
The plates describe a society where 'Rights' are replaced by 'Interconnected Obligations', suggesting that early Vedic ethics in South India were centered on the concept of a biological and spiritual web of life. Researchers believe these plates represent a local adaptation of northern Vedic concepts, emphasizing ecological ethics and the protection of water sources as a primary moral duty for the community.