Dharmaśāstra, Nīti & Arthaśāstra
धर्मशास्त्र, नीति एवं अर्थशास्त्र
Law, ethics, governance and polity — the conduct of persons and of states. Arthaśāstra sits here rather than among the Upavedas: the Kauṭilīya text is a treatise on governing, and governing belongs with law rather than with the craft sciences.
The earliest aphoristic codes, attached to Vedic schools.
The metrical law codes and their commentaries.
Practical ethics and the aphoristic wisdom tradition.
Statecraft, economy and military administration.