The Scriptural writings of the Hindus are divided, mainly, into two classes Shruti (or what is heard) and Smriti (or what is remembered). According to the belief of the Hindus, Smriti also is of divine origin; the difference between it and the Veda consists in the fact that in the Hindu System of Law the sense is recorded either in the divine words or other equivalent expressions. Under the series of Smritis (or Code of law) collectively known as Dharma-shastra, Parashara Smriti or Parashara Dharma-shastra occupies an unique place. This (code) is holy, auspicious, life-prolonging and heaven awarding. It imparts fame, knowledge, opulence and good fortune. It contains twelve chapters containing five hundred and ninty nine verses in total. The first three chapters belong to the Acara portion of the smriti in which the hermit describes about the rules of conduct and law codes in various Yugas, value of good conduct, duties of Brahmana and other castes, definition of a true guest. Chapters ...more

If thou art aware of my reverence (for thee), or from
affection, thou affectionate to persons revering thee !
expound the law to me, for I am, father, an object of
kindness to thee. The rules of law expounded by Manu have
been heard by me, and those by Vasishtha and by Kasyapa,
and by Garga and by Gautama and by Usanas ; the laws of
Atri and Vishnu and Samvarta and Daksha and Angira and
Shatatapa and Harita and Yajnavalkya, and Katyayana and

Prachetas and Apastamba ; and the laws of Shankha and
Likhita,