Step 1: Core Concept:
The question seeks the ancient Indian literary body that specifically addresses law, duty, crime, and punishment, forming the foundation of the traditional justice system.
Step 2: Analysis:
Examining the options:
1. Garud Puran: The Puranas, post-Vedic texts, narrate the universe's history, genealogies of gods, and Hindu philosophy. While discussing karma, they are not legal codes.
2. Dharmasastra: This Sanskrit text genre constitutes treatises (sastras) on dharma, encompassing law, justice, rights, duties, and ethics. Texts like Manusmriti and Yajnavalkya Smriti are key examples, detailing civil and criminal law, trial procedures, and punishments. This is the primary source for traditional Indian jurisprudence.
3. Atharva Veda and 4. Yajur Veda: The Vedas, the most ancient Hindu scriptures, contain hymns, mantras, and philosophical treatises. They contain principles of righteous living (dharma) but are not systematic legal texts detailing crime and punishment like the Dharmasastras.
Step 3: Conclusion:
The Dharmasastras are the specific ancient texts systematically outlining the principles and laws concerning crime, justice, and punishment in the traditional Indian governance system.