This edition presents two of the oldest and most revered texts of the Hindu tradition — the Dharma Sutras of Apastamba and Gautama — in clear, accessible modern English. Composed more than two thousand years ago, these aphoristic works are the earliest systematic teachings on dharma: the order that sustains life, society, and the soul. They speak of the student's discipline, the householder's duties, the king's justice, the laws of food and purity, and the path of penance and renewal. Faithful to the meaning and spirit of the original Sanskrit, this modern reader's edition opens the wisdom of the Vedic world to today's readers without requiring any background in ancient Indian history or religion. An introduction, glossary, and reading guide help the newcomer find their bearings, while the text itself retains the spare, memorable power of the sutra form. Part of The Founding Texts Library.