There is no absolute and unanimously agreed on definition of Jurisprudence. Broadly, it means any study pertaining directly or indirectly to law. Various jurists like Austin, Holland, Keeton, and Salmond have come up with their own versions of this definition. 

Since laws govern the functioning of human beings who are complex and dynamic, they have modified very frequently so as to accommodate changes. In any country, law and order has to be maintained evaluating every aspect that relates to the subject of law. 

In any case, importance of jurisprudence is immense when it comes to a law student.

• Jurisprudence is often to referred as “the eye of law”. It throws light at the fundamental principles of law.
• Jurisprudence helps us in understanding the evolution of law.  Law, whether written or unwritten, explicit or implicit, is a concept that has been used for centuries in every society. Study of evolution of law can help one understand the circumstances that led to formation of a particular law and can thus draw references from the same.
• Jurisprudence enables us to understand various branches of social sciences such as sociology, psychology, ethics, economics, history, politics etc. This is possible because different branches of knowledge are inter-related. To form appropriate and useful laws, study of each of these branches is necessary as they all directly or indirectly affect human beings. For example, studying of psychology of a criminal is essential while deciding the punishment for the crime. Similarly, to form a law related taxing, legislators have to have knowledge of the economy.
• Jurisprudence is useful for lawyers, judges and even public to understand the rationale behind the legislations passed. It helps in avoiding ambiguities in the meaning and usage of terms.
• The true essence of jurisprudence lies in examining the consequences of any law so and thereby form laws that can practically fulfil the desired objective.