Manusmrti (मनुस्मृतिः)

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Manusmrti (Samskrit: मनुस्मृतिः) is the name of the text written by Manu or Manavacharya known as the father of mankind that prescribes code of conduct with a view to establish a harmonious social life.[1]

Introduction to Manusmriti

परिचयः ॥ Introduction

Manu, Yajnavalkya and Parashara are some of the most celebrated law-givers of Bharata. Bharatiya society is founded on, and governed by, the laws made by these three great rishis. The granthas that enumerate these law codes are termed as Smrtis and many of them are named after their authors. Thus, we have texts like

  • Manusmrti or Manava Dharmashastra (Laws of Manu or the Institutes of Manu)
  • Yajnavalkya Smrti
  • Parashara Smrti, etc.

It is said that the laws of Manu were intended for the Satya Yuga, those of Yajnavalkya for the Treta Yuga, those of Sankha and Likhita for the Dvapara Yuga and those of Parashara for the Kali Yuga. All of them contain code of conduct for mankind. And among them, Manusmrti is noted as the ancient most. Yajnavalkya Smrti follows on similar lines as the Manusmrti and the two are accepted as authoritative works on law all over Bharata.[2]

महत्त्वं प्राचीनत्वं च ॥ Importance and Antiquity

It is said that by the term Smrti is denoted Dharmashastra.

श्रुतिस्तु वेदो विज्ञेयो धर्मशास्त्रं तु वै स्मृतिः । २.१० ।[3] śrutistu vedo vijñeyo dharmaśāstraṁ tu vai smr̥tiḥ । 2.10 ।

And there are as many as 71 smrtis enlisted in various smrti texts. Among them, the code of laws known as Manusmrti, ascribed to the first Manu named Svayambhuva Manu, is considered the foremost.[4] Infact, according to Brhaspati, the importance of Manusmrti is due to it collecting the essence of the Vedas. And hence, any smrti that goes tangential to Manusmrti is considered unpraiseworthy.

वेदार्थोपनिबद्धत्वात्प्राधान्यं हि मनोः स्मृतम् । मन्वर्थविपरीता तु या स्मृतिः सा न शस्यते ॥[5] vedārthopanibaddhatvātprādhānyaṁ hi manoḥ smr̥tam । manvarthaviparītā tu yā smr̥tiḥ sā na śasyate ॥

Moreover, the praise of Manu's tenets are obtained in the shrutis itself that are the basis for all smrtis.

मनुर्वै यत् किंचावदत्तद् भेषजं एवावदत्, तद् भेषजत्वायैव । 2.1.5 ।[6] manurvai yat kiṁcāvadattad bheṣajaṁ evāvadat, tad bheṣajatvāyaiva । 2.1.5 ।

Meaning: Whatever is proposed by Manu is to be taken like medicine. Similar saying on Manusmrti is also said to be found in the Mahabharata.

पुराणं मानवो धर्मः साङ्गो वेदश्चिकित्सितम् । आज्ञासिद्धानि चत्वारि न हन्तव्यानि हेतुभिः ॥[5] purāṇaṁ mānavo dharmaḥ sāṅgo vedaścikitsitam । ājñāsiddhāni catvāri na hantavyāni hetubhiḥ ॥

Also, the knowledge of dharma passed on by Manu and his shishya parampara is seen in the form of quotations in other smrti texts like the Parashara Smrti. In fact, the following two verses from the Manusmrti is found in the Valmiki Ramayana.

शासनाद्वा विमोक्षाद्वा स्तेनः स्तेयाद्विमुच्यते । अशासित्वा तु तं राजा स्तेनस्याप्नोति किल्बिषम् । । ८.३१६ । ।

राजभिः कृतदण्डास्तु कृत्वा पापानि मानवाः । निर्मलाः स्वर्गं आयान्ति सन्तः सुकृतिनो यथा । । ८.३१८ । ।[7]

śāsanādvā vimokṣādvā stenaḥ steyādvimucyate । aśāsitvā tu taṁ rājā stenasyāpnoti kilbiṣam । । 8.316 । ।

rājabhiḥ kr̥tadaṇḍāstu kr̥tvā pāpāni mānavāḥ । nirmalāḥ svargaṁ āyānti santaḥ sukr̥tino yathā । । 8.318 । ।

Meaning:

  • The thief becomes absolved from the theft either through punishment or through acquittal. By not punishing the thief, the ruler imbibes the guilt of the thief.
  • People who, having committed crimes, have been punished by rulers, become freed from guilt and go to svarga just like well-behaved good people.[8]

In the Kishkindhakanda of the Valmiki Ramayana, Rama quotes the above verses from the Manusmrti as those given by Manu as follows. He says,

श्रूयते मनुना गीतौ श्लोकौ चारित्र वत्सलौ ॥ गृहीतौ धर्म कुशलैः तथा तत् चरितम् मया ॥४.१८.३०॥

राजभिः धृत दण्डाः च कृत्वा पापानि मानवाः । निर्मलाः स्वर्गम् आयान्ति सन्तः सुकृतिनो यथा ॥४.१८.३१॥

शसनात् वा अपि मोक्षात् वा स्तेनः पापात् प्रमुच्यते । राजा तु अशासन् पापस्य तद् आप्नोति किल्बिषम् ॥४.१८.३२॥[9]

śrūyate manunā gītau ślokau cāritra vatsalau ॥ gr̥hītau dharma kuśalaiḥ tathā tat caritam mayā ॥4.18.30॥

rājabhiḥ dhr̥ta daṇḍāḥ ca kr̥tvā pāpāni mānavāḥ । nirmalāḥ svargam āyānti santaḥ sukr̥tino yathā ॥4.18.31॥

śasanāt vā api mokṣāt vā stenaḥ pāpāt pramucyate । rājā tu aśāsan pāpasya tad āpnoti kilbiṣam ॥4.18.32॥

Meaning:

  • We hear two verses that are given to the advocacy of good conventions, which the experts of rightness have also accepted, and which are said to be coined by Manu, and I too conducted myself only as detailed in those verses of law.
  • 'When rulers impose proper punishment on people who have committed crime, they become freed of the 'Papa' and enter svarga just as the pious people with good deeds do', says one verse of Manu.
  • Either by punishment or by mercy a thief will be absolved from 'papa' but the ruler who does not impose proper punishment will derive the blot of that 'papa', says the other verse of Manu.[9]

It is seen here that though some 'pathabheda' (change in text) has crept over the period of time, the meaning of these verses in Manusmrti and the Valmiki Ramayana is the same. This shows that Manusmrti was prevalent in the times of Valmiki. Thus, Manusmrti is an ancient Smrti shastra whose verses are found in the Valmiki Ramayana as well as other smrti texts.[10]

शास्त्रप्रचारः ॥ Propagation

The story of propogation of Manusmrti is mentioned in the Manusmrti itself. It is said that Maharshi Bhrgu learnt all the dharmas from Manu. And on his advice, he taught the same to other rshis for the benefit of all that became popular by the name Manusmrti. Infact, this is the reason that the line भृगुप्रोक्तायां संहितायां ॥ bhr̥guproktāyāṁ saṁhitāyāṁ is found at the end of all the adhyayas in Manusmrti.

इदं शास्त्रं तु कृत्वासौ मां एव स्वयं आदितः । विधिवद्ग्राहयां आस मरीच्यादींस्त्वहं मुनीन् । । १.५८ । ।

एतद्वोऽयं भृगुः शास्त्रं श्रावयिष्यत्यशेसतः । एतद्धि मत्तोऽधिजगे सर्वं एषोऽखिलं मुनिः । । १.५९ । ।

ततस्तथा स तेनोक्तो महर्षिमनुना भृगुः । तानब्रवीदृषीन्सर्वान्प्रीतात्मा श्रूयतां इति । । १.६० । ।[11]

idaṁ śāstraṁ tu kr̥tvāsau māṁ eva svayaṁ āditaḥ । vidhivadgrāhayāṁ āsa marīcyādīṁstvahaṁ munīn । । 1.58 । ।

etadvo'yaṁ bhr̥guḥ śāstraṁ śrāvayiṣyatyaśesataḥ । etaddhi matto'dhijage sarvaṁ eṣo'khilaṁ muniḥ । । 1.59 । ।

tatastathā sa tenokto maharṣimanunā bhr̥guḥ । tānabravīdr̥ṣīnsarvānprītātmā śrūyatāṁ iti । । 1.60 । ।

Also, over the period of time, there have been many commentaries on the Manusmrti out of which the ones by Medhatithi, Sarvajna Narayana, Govindaraja, Kulluka, Raghavananda, Nandana and Ramachandra are well-known.[10]

ग्रन्थरचना विषयाश्च ॥ Structure and Contents

Manusmrti contains twelve adhyayas or chapters. The contents of each of these chapters in brief along with the number of verses contained in each chapter are given below:

Adhyaya Contents[1] Number of Shlokas[10]
1 The first chapter deals with origin of the smrti and origin of the world. Infact, this is a special feature of Manusmrti to be noted as no other smrti begins in this manner. 119
2 The Second chapter deals with the Indriyas (sense organs) and stresses the importance of conquering and controlling them. It also describes the qualities of a brahmana. 249
3 The Third chapter contains the duties of a householder after his course of study of the Vedas. Eight different kinds of marriages are described in it. It further also deals with methods of giving protection to women and children. 286
4 The Fourth chapter includes duties of a brahmana, study of the Vedas and responsibilities of a Snataka, etc. 260
5 The Fifth chapter deals with pure and impure foods, concept of impurity and methods of purification, women and their responsibilities. 169
6 The Sixth Chapter contains duties of those who have entered the ashrama of vanaprastha and also of ascetics. 96
7 The Seventh chapter deals with duties of Rulers and ministers. 226
8 The Eighth chapter deals with law and justice. It contains laws for the proper conduct of justice and includes ways and means of settling disputes and handling cases of debts, sale without right, partnership, duels, theft, prostitution, boundary disputes and all such matters as are to be decided by a court of law. 420
9 The Ninth chapter deals with the duties of a husband and wife. It also contains matters relating to property rights, partition and the duties of a ruler with regard to these. 336
10 The Tenth chapter deals with duties of the different varnas, mixed varnas and the duties of one in times of danger. 131
11 The Eleventh chapter deals first with penance, observation of Vratas, Yagas, Yajnas and dakshina to the priests. It then deals with punishments of crimes, expiation for murder, prostitution etc. 266
12 The Twelfth chapter deals with the theory of births and describes how your deeds in the present life are directive of the nature of life of your next birth; What deeds would fetch you what life is also explained. It contains instructions on Atmajnana and the way to obtain moksha (absolute bliss). 126

विषयानुक्रमणिका ॥ Topic-wise Index[10]

The subject matter of Manusmrti may broadly be classified into 3 Kandas. Namely,

  1. आचारकाण्डः ॥ Achara Kanda including details on general code of conduct and behaviour.
  2. व्यवहारकाण्डः ॥ Vyavahara Kanda including details on the day to day social and financial dealings.
  3. प्रायश्चित्तकाण्डः ॥ Prayashchitta Kanda including details on the various paths of expiation.

In this section, the shlokas of Manusmrti have been indexed based on the various topics handled within the text of Manusmrti.

आचारकाण्डः ॥ Achara Kanda

Sr.no Topic Adhyaya Shlokas
1 Beginning 1 1-4
2 Gross and Subtle creation 1 5-57

61-84

87

3 Propogation of shastra 1 58-60

119

4 Praise of the shastra (Achara Mahatmya) 1 102-110
5 Subject matter of the Shastra 1 111-118
6 Entitlement to the shastra 2 16
7 Unauthoritative shastra 12 95-96
8 Base of Dharma (Dharma Pithika) 2 1-5
9 Dharma 2 6-15 (Proof in Dharma)
4 170-176

238-243

8 15-17
1 85-86
6 91-93 (10 lakshanas of Dharma)
10 63 (Sadharana Dharma), 97
10 Just assembly (Dharmika Sabha) 12 107-117

105-106 (Qualification as a Dharma shastra)

11 Code of Conduct (Achara) 4 155-158 (Dharma mula)
12 Places appropriate for Dharmika practices (Yajniya Desha) 2 17-25 (Desha Vibhaga)
13 Brahmana Varna 1 92-101
14 Activities of a Brahmana 1 88
10 74-76
15 Importance of a Brahmana 2 150-156
3 183-186
9 313-321
11 35
10 3
16 Brahmana Dharma 2 162-163

167

4 1-17

33-36

80-81

84-91

110-111

117

186-187 (Pratigraha Nishedha)

205-206 (Bhojana Nishedha)

247-252

10 109-114
11 24-25

38-43

17 Apaddharma of Brahmanas 4 223
10 81-93

101-104

11 16-17
18 Permitted and Forbidden food for Brahmanas (Bhakshya and Abhakshya) 4 207-222
11 96
19 Unfit Brahmana 2 103

118

168

11 36-37
20 Foolish Brahmana 2 157-158
3 132-133
4 188-191
21 Kshatriya Varna 1 89
10 77

79-80

117

22 Vaishya Varna 1 90
9 326-333
10 78

98

23 Shudra Varna 1 91
5 139-140
9 334-335
10 99-100

121-131

4 253-256
24 Brahmachari 2 69

109-116 (Teaching the deserving)

140-144

147-149

25 Dharma of a Brahmachari 2 70-87

101-108

159-161

164-166

169-223

3 1-3
4 95-127
5 88

159

26 Grhastha 3 77-80

63-66

6 87-90
10 1-2

115-116

11 28-30
27 Varna Dharma (Samskara) 2 26-68
28 Ahnika (Dinacharya) 3 67-76

81-121

4 45-52

92-94

201-203

5 132-139
29 Snataka Dharma and Grhastha Dharma 2 224-240
3 45-50
4 18-32

37-44

53-79

82-83

128-153

159-169

175-185

192-204

224-237

244-246

256-260

11 6-10
30 Respectful behaviour (Sammana) 2 117

119-139

145-146

4 154
31 Emergency 8 348-351
11 31-34
32 Vivaha 3 20-21

22-44

51-54

9 47
33 Dharma of the Groom 3 4-19
34 Dharma of the Bride 9 90-92
35 Rules of Vivaha 3 171-172
5 167-169
8 204-205

224-227

9 69-73

88-89

93-100

80-83

175-176

11 5
36 Appointing One's heir in the daughter's lineage (Putrika karana) 9 127-129

139-140

37 Stri 3 55-62
9 1-25

26-46

48-56

74-79

11 177-178
38 Stri Dharma 5 146-158

160-166

9 84-87
39 Dharma of Stri and Purusha 9 101-102
40 Niyoga 9 57-68
41 Putra 9 137-138

182-183

158-181

42 Varna and Life 10 4-62

64-73 (Bija and Kshetra)

43 Shraddha 3 122-286
44 Bhaksya and Abhakshya of Dvijatiyas 5 1-25
45 Prohibition of meat 5 26-56
46 Purification of things 5 110-131
47 Dharma Bhikshu 11 1-4

11-16

18-23

व्यवहारकाण्डः ॥ Vyavahara Kanda

Sr. no. Topic Adhyaya Shlokas
1 Importance of a Ruler 7 1-13
9 301-302
2 Raja Dharma 7 26-40

41-42

43-53

77-86

99-112

145-169

212-226

8 172-175

395

9 300

303-312

322-325

3 Constituents of the State (Rajya Prabandha) 7 54-76

141-144

113-126

8 27-41

386-387

9 294-299
4 State Taxation 7 127-140
8 394

404-409

10 118-120
5 Battle 7 87-98

170-211

6 Rna 8 1-14

18-26

42-112

140-171

176-178

7 113-123
7 Deposits (Nikshepa) 8 179-196
8 Fraudulent sale (Paradhana Vikraya) 8 197-203
9 Joint Concerns (Sambhuya Karmakari) 8 206-213
10 Non-payment of wages 8 214-217
11 Breach of Contract (Maryada Bhedana) 8 218-221
12 Rescission of Sale (Krita Paravartana) 8 222-223

228

13 Disputes between Owner and Keeper regarding cattle (Pashu Svamipala) 8 229-244
14 Disputes regarding boundaries 8 245-265
15 Verbal assault (Vak Parushya) 8 266-277
16 Assaults (Danda Parushya) 8 278-300
17 Theft 8 301-331

333-347

18 Dacoity 8 332
19 Adultery (Vyabhichara) 8 352-385
20 Importance and legislation of punishment 7 14-25
8 124-139

388-393

396-403

410-420

9 229-293
10 96
21 Share of the brother 9 103-117

119-126

204-216

218-219

22 Share of the son 9 134-136

141-142

145-147

184

23 Share of Ekayoniputra 9 148-157
24 Share of the sister 9 118
25 Non-entitlement to a share in Parental Property (Niramsha) 9 143-144

201-203

26 Inheritance in the absence of a son 9 130-133

185-191

217

27 Stridhana and its inheritance 9 192-200

प्रायश्चित्तकाण्डः ॥ Prayashchitta Kanda

Sr. no. Topic Adhyaya Shlokas
1 Preta Shuddhi 5 57-60

64-73

2 Vaideshika Pretashuddhi 5 74-78
3 Janma shuddhi 5 61-63
4 Janma Marana Shuddhi 5 79
5 Acharyadi Marana Shuddhi 5 80-82
6 Shuddhi Dina 5 83
7 Shuddhi Vishesha 5 84-88

91

8 Shaucha 5 93-99
9 Asapinda Pretashuddhi 5 100-104
10 Shuddhi Hetu 5 105
11 Artha shaucha 5 105
12 Nanavidha Shaucha 5 141-145
13 Expiation (Prayashchitta) 11 44-47
14 Mahapatakas 11 55-72
15 Expiation for Mahapatakas 11 73-131
16 Expiation for different kinds of violence committed 11 132-146
17 Expiation for partaking forbidden food 11 147-162
18 Expiation for theft 11 163-170
19 Expiation for Agamyagamana 11 171-176

179-180

20 Expiation for forbidden Samsarga 11 181-189
21 Other expiations 11 192-209
22 Gupta Prayashchitta 11 248-266
23 Prajapatya and other vratas 11 211-227
24 Repentence and austerity (Pashchatapa and Tapa) 11 228-247
25 The Effects of Papa 11 48-53
26 Kinds of Papa 11 54-81
27 Vanaprastha 6 1-32
28 Sannyasa 6 33-86

94-97

2 88-100
12 10-51

82-94

97-104

118-126

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Vettam Mani (1975), Puranic Encyclopaedia, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.
  2. Swami Sivananda (1999), All About Hinduism, Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.
  3. Manusmrti, Adhyaya 2
  4. Vaman Shivram Apte (1985), The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Manusmrti (Manvarthamuktavali Samvalita)
  6. Maitrayani Samhita, Kanda 2, Prapathaka 1
  7. Manusmrti, Adhyaya 8
  8. Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti (Volume 6), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 18
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Girija Prasad Dvivedi (1917), The Manusmriti, Lucknow: Newal Kishore Press.
  11. Manusmrti, Adhyaya 1