Manusmriti

Introduction

In this article

We will discuss the history of the controversial Indian text Manusmriti We will also look at the specific verses that are the main reasons for controversy It is alleged that this book was created by extracting verses from ancient texts called Kalasutras Some believe that this book suppresses human rights

History

The title of the earliest author of Manusmriti is given to Bharuchi According to historians, he composed this text in the late 10th century and early 11th century However, foreign author Alivel believes the text was composed between 600 and 800 AD

Several versions of Manusmriti have been published, such as Manutika composed in the 11th century and others like Manavartha Muktavali More than fifty manuscripts related to Manusmriti have been found since the 18th century Interestingly these manuscripts do not directly correspond to Manusmriti but contain verses used in it

Naming

The title Manusmriti is a modern word derived from Sanskrit Originally there was no such division The book is mainly divided into four parts- 1 Creation of the world 2 Source of Dharma 3 Dharma of the four social classes and 4 Rules of karma reincarnation and final liberation

These manuscripts define it as a code of conduct Manusmriti is also known as a human dharma scripture After the Vedas it is an important text in Hinduism

The main text is composed in verses and presents a dialogue where a disciple questions his guru Manu himself The first 58 verses are dedicated to Manu and the rest to his disciple Bhrigu

Significant Verses 

1. All Shudras originate from Dharma and their new varna is based on karma Hence all are called twice-born Dvijas
2. Dharma has ten qualities like patience forgiveness self-control not stealing cleanliness controlling senses intelligence knowledge truth and not getting angry
3. Do not feed anyone stale food or eat stale food do not overeat and always wash hands and face after eating before moving around
4. Only those who study Dharma and Vedic scriptures with reasoning and contemplation understand the true nature of Dharma

Controversial Verses of Manusmriti

1. Chapter 9 Verse 3- Women should never have freedom in childhood they are controlled by their father in youth by their husband and in old age by their sons
2. Chapter 10 Verse 122- Shudras should be given others leftover food torn old clothes to wear and broken mats or straw to sit on
3. Chapter 8 Verse 270 If a lower-caste person intentionally harms or speaks harshly to an upper-caste person they should be severely punished including tongue cutting whereas the punishment for upper castes is lighter
4. Chapter 8 Verse 271 If a Shudra insults an upper caste person by name and caste arrogantly a red-hot iron nail of 10 fingers length should be driven into their mouth
5. Chapter 8 Verse 272 If a Shudra arrogantly preaches Dharma to upper castes the king should pour boiling oil into their ears and mouth
6. Chapter 8 Verse 279 If a lower caste person harms an upper caste persons body part the king should amputate the same part
7. Chapter 8 Verse 268 If an upper caste person insults a lower caste person or gives them punishments the king should impose only minor fines or exile them by shaving their head
8. Chapter 8 Verses 379/380 No matter how serious a crime a Brahmin commits they should never receive the death penalty or physical punishment like mutilation; only exile or tonsure is allowed

Friends, perhaps due to such reasons and discrimination B.R. Ambedkar burnt the Manusmriti and gave the Constitution the status of the supreme book History has many such texts promoting discrimination, which need to change over time

We believe that nature created us all and will also erase us in time Nature protects all living beings Hence no human can be very big or very small

Thus, most of the beliefs in this text are wrong To follow Dharma, being human is essential Some people cannot create arbitrary rules to run a religion. It is important to understand that these texts were written by humans who naturally included their own thoughts in them