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The Law Code of Manu Laws of Manu also called the Manava Dharma Shastra is traditionally accepted as one of the supplementary arms of the Vedas. It is one of the standard books in the Hindu canon and a basic text upon which teachers base their teachings. This 'revealed scripture' comprises verses, divided into twelve chapters presenting the norms of domestic, social, and religious life in India circa BC under the Brahmin influence, and it is fundamental to the understanding of ancient Indian society. Known as 'sutras,' these manuals were highly revered by the Brahmins and memorized by each Brahmin student. The most common of these were the 'Grihya-sutras,' dealing with domestic ceremonies; and the 'Dharma-sutras,' treating the sacred customs and laws. The extremely complicated bulk of ancient rules and regulations, customs, laws, and rites were gradually enlarged in scope, transformed into aphoristic prose, and set to musical cadence, then systematically arranged to constitute the 'Dharma-Shastras. It is believed that Manu, the ancient teacher of sacred rites and laws, is the author of Manava Dharma-Shastra. The initial canto of the work narrates how ten great sages appealed to Manu to recite the sacred laws to them and how Manu fulfilled their wishes by asking The Law Code of Manu learned sage Bhrigu, who had been carefully taught the metrical tenets of the sacred law, to deliver his teachings. However, equally popular is the belief that Manu had learned the laws from Lord Brahmathe Creator—and so the authorship is said to be divine. Sir William Jones assigned the work to the period BCE, but more recent developments The Law Code of Manu that the work in its extant form dates back to the first or second century CE or perhaps even older. Scholars agree that the work The Law Code of Manu a modern versified rendition of a BCE 'Dharma-sutra,' which no longer exists. The first chapter deals with the creation of the world by the deitiesthe divine origin of the book itself, and the objective of studying it. Chapters 2 through 6 recounts the proper conduct of the members of the upper castes, their initiation into the Brahmin religion by a sacred thread or sin-removing ceremony, the period of disciplined studentship devoted to the study of the Vedas under a Brahmin teacher, the chief duties of the householder. This includes the choice of a wife, marriage, protection of the sacred hearth-fire, hospitality, sacrifices to the gods, feasts to his departed relatives, along with the numerous restrictions—and finally, the duties of old age. The Law Code of Manu seventh chapter talks about manifold duties and responsibilities of kings. The ninth and the tenth chapters relate the customs and laws regarding inheritance and property, divorce, The Law Code of Manu the lawful occupations for each caste. Chapter eleven expresses the various kinds of penance for misdeeds. The final chapter expounds the doctrine of karmarebirths, and salvation. Present-day scholars have criticized the work significantly, judging the rigidity of the caste system and The Law Code of Manu contemptible attitude toward women as unacceptable for today's standards. The almost divine reverence shown to the Brahmin caste and the despicable attitude towards the 'Sudras' the lowest caste is objectionable to many. The Sudras were forbidden to participate in the Brahmin rituals and were subjected to severe punishments, whereas the Brahmins were exempted from any kind of reprimand for crimes. The The Law Code of Manu of medicine was prohibited to the upper caste. Equally repugnant to modern scholars is the attitude toward women in the Laws of Manu. Women were considered inept, inconsistent, and sensual and were restrained from learning the Vedic texts or participating in meaningful social functions. Women were kept in abject subjugation all their lives. Share Flipboard Email. Subhamoy Das. Updated January 02, Learn Religions uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. By using Learn Religions, you accept our. Manusmriti - Wikipedia

The Laws of Manu — date of publication uncertain but believed to be about BC - was a hybrid moral-religious-law code and one of the first written The Law Code of Manu codes of Asia. In spite of its age, it has sustained paramountcy in the Hindu culture. It The Law Code of Manu also the code of conduct for inter-caste relationships in India. This ancient Hindu law code of India, collectively called "Smirtu", was unique in many ways but two stand out. Experts are unable to agree as to the date that the Laws of Manu were published but BC seems to The Law Code of Manu the most common date given. Ironically, though T he Laws of Manu gives India standing as having one of the oldest written legal codes, the legal tradition it is issue from avoided written law as long as possible so as 1 to accommodate adaptability in the law and 2 to not limit the discretion to be exercised by the uppermost class, the high priests and judges of the Hindu religion, otherwise known as the Brahmins. The opening verses there are 2, in total of the Manu read like Genesis, describing how the The Law Code of Manu and man was formed. The context is of a mythical Adam-like deity called Manu who was implored by "the great seers Manu had a divine companion animal, a bull, called Dherma, a genius of abstract justice. So revered was the Laws of Manu that one Hindu legal theorist Vyasa remarked that: "the code of Menu First born, according to the chronology presented in Manu, was: " Brahma, the grand parent of all the worlds" the similarity to the Biblical Adam has always fascinated historians. The first Brahma, The Law Code of Manu "Vdea", the parable goes, then went on, apparently, to create the lower castes in order : Brahmins, Ksatriya also Ksatra or Kashatriya, warriors and the royal familyVaicya or Vaishya, the farmers and the lowest caste of all, the Cudra or Shudra. There was even a totally disentitled subgroup: the Dasyu, who were below the Shudra and included thieves, condemned murderers, other criminals and servants. The first part of the Laws of Manu continues with detailed rules related to hygiene and the like, leading William Jones, in his book, to appropriately preface his edition with the legal proverb: "Laws are of no avail without manners. This feature of the Laws of Manu caused the British Privy Council, in a case, to remark that lawyers ought to exercise: " An extract: "Having slept and sneezed and having eaten and spit, and having told lies, The Laws of Manu assured the continued existence of the inherent unfairness of the caste system and an even worse fate for women:. In her youth, of her husband. Her husband being dead, of her sons. A woman The Law Code of Manu never enjoy her own will. According to the Laws of Manuthere are several recognized forms of marriage:. It is only after eliminating any "threat" from women, and favouring the higher castes, that the Laws of Manu delves into traditional law. The king must not be made to serve as witness Much of the Laws of Manu speak of purging even serious crimes by some act such as murmuring a certain saying a prescribed number of times at dawn. Other penalties, which ought to attract the attention of defence counsel everywhere, are stated to be promised to the offender - not in this life but in the next! But although no longer the only Hindu law code, Manu is recognized as being paramount in the event of conflict between it and any other Smirtu. Current Section: Duhaime. BC - Laws of Manu

Manu-smriti is the popular name of the work, which is officially known as Manava-dharma-shastra. It is attributed to the legendary first man and lawgiver, Manu. The received text dates from circa ce. The Manu-smriti prescribes to Hindus their dharma —i. It contains 12 chapters of stanzas, which total 2, It deals with cosmogony; the definition of the dharma; the sacraments samskara s ; initiation upanayana and the study of the Vedas The Law Code of Manu sacred texts of Hinduism ; marriage, hospitality, funeral rites, dietary restrictions, pollution, and means of purification; the conduct of women and wives; and the law of kings. The last leads to a consideration of matters of juridical interest, divided under 18 headings, after which the text returns to religious topics such as The Law Code of Manu, rites of reparation, the doctrine of karmathe souland hell. The The Law Code of Manu makes no categorical distinction between religious law and practices and secular law. Its influence on all aspects of Hindu thought, particularly the justification of the caste system, has been profound. Manu-smriti Article Additional Info. Print Cite. Facebook Twitter. Give Feedback External Websites. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article requires login. External Websites. Indianetzone - Manu Smriti. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree See Article History. This article was most recently revised and updated by Matt StefonAssistant Editor. Learn More in these related Britannica articles:. Versions of the Manu-smriti were taken to Southeast Asia and were translated and adapted to indigenous cultures until they lost The Law Code of Manu of their original content. It deals with topics such as cosmogony, the definition of dharma, the sacraments, initiation and Vedic study, the eight forms of marriage, hospitality and funerary rites, dietary laws, pollution and purification,…. Hinduismmajor world religion originating on the Indian subcontinent and comprising several and varied The Law Code of Manu of philosophy, belief, and ritual. Although the name Hinduism is relatively new, having been coined by British writers in the first decades of the 19th century, it refers to a rich cumulative tradition of texts…. History at your fingertips. Sign up here to see what happened On This Dayevery day in your inbox! Email address. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox.