Abstract

The article explores the concept of āpaddharma as the main concept that was developed in the Hindu legal tradition to deal with the case of impossibility to follow appropriate action following ordinary rules in periods of adversity and distress and highlights the scope of flexibility in Hindu law. From a theoretical and comparative perspective the concept of āpaddharma provides insight into the problems of ordinary/extraordinary, rule/exception, ideal/real, and on the never-ending struggle of individuals and societies in order to follow a right course of action in difficult times