Manusmriti

Template:IndicTextCentre The Manusmriti (Sanskrit मनुस्मृति), translated Laws of Manu is regarded as an important work of Hindu law and ancient Indian society. It is one of the eighteen Smritis of the Dharmasastra; and is a part of the Shruti literature. It contain laws, rules and codes of conduct to be applied by individuals, communities and nations. Some of these laws codify the Hindu caste system and discuss the "stages of life for a twice-born man". It explains itself as a discourse given by Sage Manu to rishis having begged him to enlighten them on the topic.

The book is ascribed to Manu, according to the Hindu mythology, the forefather of all humans. Certain historians believe it to have been written down around 200 C.E. during the reign of Pushymitra of Shunga clan, a Samvedi Bhramin who assasinated the last Mauryan King Bhrihadratha, and usurped the throne. He is alleged to have persecuted many Buddhists, to regulate a code of conduct consolidating Hinduism.

It is one of the most controversial works of Hindu literature owing to its alleged discrimination of women and shudras. Ashamed of the contents of the scripture some Hindu scholars have tried to distance themselves and typically blame it on the British, by arguing that the revelance or awareness of the scripture was not considerable until the British brought it into the limelight as an important Hindu scripture. It is however evident that the scripture bears caste discrimination of shudras but does not mention such words like dalits or chandaals as they came into existance much later as a result of continous oppression of the Shudras. There are 2,031 verses (laws) of Manusmrti..

Quotations from the Manusmriti

The interpretations of hindu scriptures especially manusmriti and shruti are known to be greatly contrasting, where western interpretation tend to deviate towards racial and gender discrimination and implying the scriptures to be made of primitive thought, those by hindu scholars such as Swami Dayananda Saraswati expound equity and scientific thought. It should however be kept in mind while reading manusmriti that the scripture is neither contemporary with modern views nor does it hold itself authority as an eternal law-book. Note that the following verses are interpretations and not direct translations.

Education

"A student should observe Brahmacharya and study the Vedas with their subsidiary subjects for 9, 18, 36 years, or until they are completely mastered" (III: 1)

"A wise man would do well to practise both Yamas(abstentions) and Niyamas(observances) and He who practices one without the other, never makes any progress, on the contrary he simply degenerates, in other words, leads a degraded life in this world." (IV: 204)

"A man of low character can never succeed in acquiring knowledge of the Veda; in keeping up his vows of celibacy, truthfulness, etc.; nor in fulfilling his duties towards duties towards man and God, keeping control over his passions and desires, being steadfast in his devotion to truth and righteousness, and performing good deeds." (II: 97)

"Both state and society should make it compulsory upon all to send their children (both male and female) to school after the 5th or 8th year. It should be made a penal offence to keep a child at home after that age." (VII: 152)

Marriage

"Let a maid wait for three years after she is marriageable (has begun to menstruate) and then let her choose for herself a husband, who is her equal." (IX: 90)

"Let a student who has not violated his vows of Brahmacharya and has conducted himself righteously according to the advice of his preceptor, enter married life after he has studied with their subsidiary sciences, the four Vedaas, three Vedas, two Vedas, or atleast one Veda." (III: 2)

Let a twice-born man after having obtained the consent of his teacher and taken the ceremonial bath, return home and espouse a maid, of his own Class, endowed with excellent qualities." (III: 4)

"It is better that men and women should remain single till death rather than marry unsuitables (i.e, incompatible qualities, characteristics and temperaments)." (IX: 89)

"Marriage is of eight kinds - brahma(mutual consent of both the bride and groom), deva(gift of richly adorned daughter to an officiating priest of a great yajna), arsha(daughter in lieu of consideration given by the groom), prajapathi(mutual consent of families), asura(marriage upon bribing of the bride and groom), gandharva(intercourse of maiden and her lover out of sexual desire), rakshasa(forceful abduction of bride), pisacha(where bride is intoxicated, sleeping, mentally disordered), in the order of piety of the marriage." (III: 21 to 34)

Caste System

"Studying and teaching (vedas), performing and assisting in Yajna, giving alms and receiving gifts - these six are duties of a Brahmin." (I: 88)

"To protect people by perfect justice; to bestow gifts; to perform Homam and other Yajnas; to study the Veda and other scriptures; to abstain from sensual gratification - these are the duties of a Kshatriya" (I: 89)

"To keep herds of cattle, to bestow gifts, To perform Yajnas, to study the Veda and other Shastras(sciences) 5. To lend money on interest 6. To cultivate land,. These are the duties and qualifications of a Vaishya" (I: 90)

"To serve the twice-born, without showing disrespect, jealousy or conceit. This one thing alone is a Shudra's duty and qualification." (I: 91)

"As the son of a Shudra may attain the rank of a Brahmin if he were to possess his qualifications, character and accomplishments, and as the son of a Brahmin may become a Shudra, if he sinks to his level in his character, inclinations and manners even so must it be with him who springs from a Kshatriya; even so with him who is born of a Vaishya" (X: 65)

The aforesaid verse sanctions support for vocational caste system, contrary to popular belief that manu smriti supports hereditary caste system.

Status of Women

"If the husband does not please his wife, she being unhappy, the whole family is unhappy and miserable; but if the wife be quite contended with her husband, the whole family enjoys felicity." (III: 62)

"Let women be always propitiated (worshipped) by their fathers and brothers, by their husbands and the brothers of their husbands, in other words, they should speak sweetly to them and provide them with good food, nice clothes and ornaments, and thereby keep them happy. Those who seek great prosperity and happiness should never inflict pain on women." (III: 55)

"Where women are honored (worshipped), in that family great men are born; but where they are not honored, there all acts are fruitless. Where women pass their days in misery and sorrow because of the misdeed (such as adultery) of their husbands that family soon entirely perishes, but where they are happy because of the good conduct of their husbands, the family continually prospers." (III: 56,57)

"Let women, therefore, be always honored by being given presents of clothes an ornaments, and supplied with good food at festivals, jubilees and he like occasions, and thereby made happy by those men who are desirous of wealth and prosperity." (III: 59)

Though divorce and remarriage of divorcees is allowed in Manu Smriti, Widow remarriage is sanctioned only if the marriage has not been consummated, otherwise the widow (or widower) are to practice Brahmacharya. If the widow has to continue the family line, they are either to adopt children or apply to a contract called 'niyoga', where a chosen man or a widow fathers children for her (in verse IX: 77).

Miscellaneous Verses

"A Dwija as well as his children who, instead of studying the Veda, wastes his time in doing other things soon goes down to the level of a Shoodra(lowest in character)." (II: 168)

"Look down while you walk. Filter your water before you drink it. Speak in accordance with truth. Think well before you act." (VI: 46)

"As skilful driver keeps his horses under control , even so should a wise man keep his senses - which are apt to lead both mind and soul into the pursuit of wicked objects - under complete control." (II: 88)

"Verily, that man alone can achieve his heart's desire who is a master of his senses; he who allows himself to become their slave soon loses his character." (II: 93)

"The Vedaas, the Smrities, the practice of men, good and true, in conformity with the Vedas - the Word of God, and the satisfaction of one's own soul - these undoubtedly, are the four criteria of true religion, which enable one to distinguish between Right and Wrong" (II: 12)

"He is an atheist, and a slanderer of the Vedas, who disparages their teachings, as well as the writings of true teachers in conformity with the Vedas. He should be excluded from good society, aye, even expelled out of the country." (II: 11)

Criticism and Controversy

Manusmriti is one of the most heavily criticised scriptures of Hinduism, if not the most by colonial scholars, Dalit advocates and marxists. Manusmriti has been burned by several of these groups. Manusmriti was quoted, especially by the British Colonial rulers of India as "the law-book" of the Hindus. Many Hindus allege that the colonial rulers, like Robert Clive and Lord Macaulay, found it a useful tool to exploit and supress Hindus and Hinduism. It should to be noted that most of these accusations are based upon western interpretations (thus debateable), such as 'Sacred Books of the East' by G. Buhler, regarding the status of women and caste discrimination, mainly favouring the Brahmins. It is accused that the generated misconceptions are mainly generated due to quote mining, and are addressed by studying the adjacent quotes. It is also demanded that the critics frequently cite ancient Brahminic sources should note subsequent developments in Hindu thought, and to consult contemporary Hindu authorities who can explain the role of these sources in normative Hindu beliefs.

In reply to criticism of shudras, verses critical of shudras are proclaimed to be latter interpolations, but not after times of Adi Shankara (7th-8th century CE). The law in Manu Smriti also is biased towards Brahmins(priests) such as concessions of fine and punishment. The stance of Manu Smriti about women is also an issue. While certain verses such as (III - 55, 56, 57, 59, 62) glorify position of women, verses such as (IX - 3, 17) suppress the position and freedom of women. Education of women is also an issue. Verse (IX - 18) discourage women from reading vedic scriptures, the verse (II - 240) allows women to read vedic scriptures. Similiar contradictory phrases are encountered in relation to child marriage in verses (IX - 94) and (IX - 90).

The main argument however, goes beyond the Smriti and instead pertains to the authority the scripture commands upon hindus. Though the scripture is known to be rarely used in indian history, it is believed to have played a great role by british and communist scholars. It is to be noted that according to Hindu tradition and scriptures, due to Manu Smriti not being a part of shruti literature i.e., revealed knowledge, it cannot be held authoritative (nor has it been held so), and though a Smriti might be knowledgeable, can be subject to bias and whatever in smriti is opposed by shruti, it can be rejected according to hindu scriptures including Manu Smriti as well (II - 12, 13).

Views pertaining to Manusmriti

Though majorly a source of criticism against hinduism, it is considered to be an important book whose contents are utilised in sociology, political and historical studies.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in his book "Revolution and Counter-Revolution in India" says that Manusmriti was written by a sage named Brigu during the times of Pushymitra of Sangha - infamous for having persecuted many buddhists and driven them out of India - had it composed during his rule in order to delegitimise buddhism.

When it comes to racial theology, The Varna of Manusmriti has been widely regarded as 'race' by colonial british rulers and has been used for studies like scintific race analysis, skull measurement. The Varna of Manusmriti has been widely regarded as marxist 'class' by Marxist analysts and has been used to justify various postulates on history and civillization. It is believed that 'Dwija'(twice-born) are actually Aryans, while Shudras are Dravidians. This conception relies on Aryan Invasion Theory, which is losing ground on basis of modern research.

Views put by apologists by authors,put forth by authors such as Madhu Kishwar is that the "British resurrected the Manusmriti and used it to frame the "Hindu Civil Code". Prior to colonization, the Manusmriti was nothing more than an obscure text, long-forgotten and rarely used to determine what was acceptable social practice. Because the numerical presence of the Britishers in India was not substantial, the Britishers had to rule largely by proxy. It was important that their agents did not face resistance or rebellion, even in the social realm. Owing to its repressive and highly divisive character, the Manusmriti helped in preventing both individual and collective resistance to local authorities, who were typically upper caste and often Brahmin. That the Manusmriti represented an archaic and outdated social code didn't matter." [1]

Another view on the Manusmriti as explained by Subhash C. Sharma[2] [3] is that, since Hinduism is a personal religion, and there is no concept of canon, the Manusmriti can be regarded as an unimportant text and not reflective of the fundamental tenets of the religion. To quote Sharma:

"Smritis (e.g. the Manusmriti) generally present a biased and misleading socio-religious view expounded by a number of ancients. Some people still tend to wrongly assume them as being an important part or source of information on Hinduism."

Hinduism, does not have a highly organized ordained hierarchy of clergy (there is no centralized religious figure, though there are many Acharya-s, Baba-s and Guru-s with limited following). A counter-criticism from this website condemns the British colonialists to have made the world to regard the Manu Smriti as the supreme law book of the Hindus, so that they could ridicule the Hindu dharma and denigrate those of Indian origin.

Prominent hindu figures such as Swami Dayananda Saraswati (founder of Arya Samaj) and Srila Prabhupada (founder of ISKCON) however hold the scripture to be authentic and authoritative, though the interpretations vary to that of the western scholars.

References

• Sacred Books of the East, The Laws of Manu, translation by G. Buhler, vol. xxv, Oxford (1886)
• Light of Truth (Satyarth Prakash) by Swami Dayananda Saraswati

External links

• The Laws of Manu translation by G. Buhler, vol. xxv, Oxford (1886)
• Light of Truth by Swami Dayananda Saraswati