Questions tagged [manu-smriti]
The Law of Manu- Manusmriti also known as Manav Dharam Shastra, is the earliest metrical work on Brahminical Dharma in Hinduism.
178
questions
18
votes
4
answers
6k
views
What does our scripture say about marriage? Why should we marry?
I heard from Parama Pujya Morari Bapu's Rama Katha that starting from our birth we have parents supporting us in every situation until they become old. And we have our friends and family members also ...
12
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Which smṛtis (dharma śāstras) are to be followed in Kali-yuga?
Which smṛti or smṛtis (Manu, Parāśara, Yājñavalkya etc.) are to be followed in Kali-yuga§?
The Parāśara smṛti supposedly mentions that it is meant for Kali-yuga. Do we have similar statements in ...
12
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Manu Smriti as a source of controversy
Many contemporary groups (fundamentalist Christians and Muslims; secular liberals; Marxists) have denounced the "Manu Smriti" text as a source of discrimination against the "lesser castes" as well as ...
12
votes
0
answers
689
views
What are the meal timings according to Smritis?
While there is Intermittent Fasting and Time Restricted Feeding buzz going on in the fitness community, I want to know what is the take of Smritis regarding
Time of Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Of ...
11
votes
1
answer
877
views
Where is this verse from in the Vedas about the Manusmriti?
This verse is said to exist in the Vedas:
yad vai manuravadat tad bheṣajam
‘Whatever Manu has said is medicine.’
11
votes
2
answers
429
views
Who is Manu of Manu Smriti?
The Manu of Manu Smriti is same as Manus of Manvantar or he is any rishi?
Also, which Manu he is if he is Manu of Manvantar?
11
votes
2
answers
543
views
How to reconcile prāyaścitta (expiation) involving death with suicide (itself a big sin)?
A twice-born person, having, through folly, drunk wine, shall drink wine red-hot; he becomes freed from his guilt, when his body has been completely burnt by it. — (90)
(Manusmriti verse 11....
10
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Is the Manusmriti written to favor a particular Varṇa?
Critics say the Manusmriti is pro-Brahmin, and written by casteist Brahmins by favoring a particular section of society and thereby oppressing Shudras, women, and other lower castes.
Edit Note: While ...
10
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Who was the author of the Manusmriti?
Who was the author of the Manusmriti?
Now many of you might say "Manu", but it's actually not quite clear from the text itself.
First of all, the word "Manusmriti" means "recollection of Manu", ...
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can a Sudra attain higher caste according to Manusmriti?
Manusmriti Verse 9.335 says:
शुचिरुत्कृष्टशुश्रूषुर्मृदुवागनहङ्कृतः ।
ब्राह्मणाद्याश्रयो नित्यमुत्कृष्टां जातिमश्नुते ॥ ३३५ ॥
śucirutkṛṣṭaśuśrūṣurmṛduvāganahaṅkṛtaḥ |
...
10
votes
1
answer
360
views
Is there any rule in Shastras for women to be kanyas even after marriage
Manu Smriti Says
Sixteen (days and) nights (in each month), including four days which differ from the rest and are censured by the virtuous, (are called) the natural season of women.
3.46
...
9
votes
3
answers
5k
views
How do we decide what is dharma and adharma?
In real life there are circumstances where we are in dwanda (indecisive state of mind) and we cannot make a clear decision on what is dharma and what is adharma. For example:
When someone with the ...
9
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What is the criteria for being a dvija? Is anyone who has undergone upanayana a dvija?
Nowadays only the Brahmin caste undergoes upanayana.
For example, we are Kshatriya Varna (by birth) but we have not undergone upnayana.
Question- Is anyone who has not undergone the upanayana ...
9
votes
2
answers
837
views
How can killing a Human being and killing an Animal be on the same level?
Why does Manu Smriti say that by killing certain Animals one should perform the same penance that must be done for killing a Sudra?
Manu 11.131 - Having killed a cat, an ichneumon, a blue jay, a frog,...
9
votes
1
answer
238
views
What is prayopavesa?
I would like to know what our scriptures say about prayopavesa. If deciding to end one’s life is wrong, why is it prescribed in our scriptures?
9
votes
1
answer
549
views
Are some verses of Manu Smṛitī added later?
A former IPS officer Dr. Dalbir Bharti writes in his book the constitution and criminal justice administration in the page 16 that
...in a research it has found that out of 2685 verses in the ...
9
votes
3
answers
664
views
Was Manusmriti the constitution of Ram Rajya?
In Sarga 18 of the Kishkindha Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana, Rama explains to a dying Vali as to why He attacked him behind his back. Rama categorically explains all the questions put by Vali in the ...
8
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Mentions of intercaste marriage in ManuSmriti or Manu Dharma
Trying to study ManuSmriti.
1) What does Manusmriti say about inter-caste marriages?
2) Are there any punishments given for inter-caste marriages?
3) Are there any mentions of inter-caste marriages ...
8
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Is it permissible to deny the authority of Manusmriti?
Is it permissible to deny the authority of Manusmriti considering that all the four major schools of Hinduism(Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism and Smarta tradition) only consider Vedas and Upanishads ...
8
votes
4
answers
704
views
Manu 2.14 - Any examples of conflicts in Vedic texts? Is Manusmṛti itself a Vedic text?
Manusmṛti 2.14 says:
श्रुतिद्वैधं तु यत्र स्यात् तत्र धर्मावुभौ स्मृतौ ।
उभावपि हि तौ धर्मौ सम्यगुक्तौ मनीषिभिः ॥ १४ ॥
śrutidvaidhaṃ tu yatra syāt tatra dharmāvubhau smṛtau |
ubhāvapi hi ...
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What is the real meaning of "Kanyadhana"
I have read at a Hinduism website (Website Link) that the word "Kanyadhaana" is misinterpreted into meaning "Donating the bride"
According to the web article:
It's not "Kanya-...
8
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Where can I find Manu Smriti with Sanskrit & Hindi translation?
I want Manu Smriti with Sanskrit slokas and their Hindi translation. Where can I find it?
7
votes
2
answers
4k
views
What is Hinduism's view on gender-equality and feminism?
Hinduism has been generally regarded by many western scholars to be supporting male dominance because of texts such as Manusmriti. However, such texts have been found in various versions with some ...
7
votes
2
answers
764
views
What is the Dharma of outcaste people?
Hinduism is based on principle of dharma (unlike Buddhism and Jainism which are based on principle of Karma).
And all varnas have different duties(dharma) to discharge.
So, what is the dharma ...
7
votes
2
answers
220
views
If my father doesn't study the Veda, does this make me ineligible to learn Vedas?
Manusmriti 2.168
योऽनधीत्य द्विजो वेदमन्यत्र कुरुते श्रमम् ।
स जीवन्नेव शूद्रत्वमाशु गच्छति सान्वयः ॥
The twice-born man, who, not having learnt the Veda, labors over other
things, soon ...
7
votes
1
answer
861
views
Is there any verse or historical evidence suggesting that manusmriti is more authoritative than other smritis?
1) Among Dharmasmritis(Manusmriti, Naradasmriti , Parashara Smriti,Yajnavalkya Smrti ... etc) , is there any verse or historical evidence which suggests that manusmriti is more authoritative/followed ...
7
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Is Hinduism a bit partial to Kshatriyas?
As we go through various sections of the Mahabharata, we can see that:
Although it's not encouraged, a Kshatriya can force sex upon a woman and marry her as explained in this answer (Does Hinduism ...
7
votes
7
answers
926
views
Can the lower borns enter varna system?
Ambaṣṭha, Niṣāda, Pārośora, Ugra, Sūta, Māgadha, Vaideha, Āyogava, Kṣattṛ, Caṇḍāla, Āvṛta, Ābhīra, Dhigvaṇa, Pukkasa, Kukkaṭaka, Śvapāka, Veṇa
Manusmriti (10.5) onwards gives names of mixed varna ...
7
votes
1
answer
352
views
in which sect of hinduism manusmriti is canonical text?
Vedanta canonical text is prasthantrayi consisting of Upanishads,Gita , Brahma Sutra
Sri vidya authoritative/canonical scriptures are Jyanarnava Tantra, Vamakeswara Tantram, Sri Krama, Dkashinamurty ...
7
votes
2
answers
301
views
Why did Arjuna marry his cousin sister Subhadra going against the Smriti?
Arjuna married Subhadra. Even Dharmaraja Yudhisthira did not oppose the cousin marriage. Krishna actively supported it.
However, Dharmashastras do not support cousin marriage for North Indians Cross-...
7
votes
1
answer
284
views
Are the Punishments in Manu Smriti and other Shastras literal?
Few verses of Manu Smriti like Manu 8.279-282 seem so offensive and against basic Compassion. Are they literal Punishments or just warnings not to commit bad acts???Even Shankaracharya quotes a verse ...
7
votes
1
answer
110
views
What is Virahatya (Killing of a hero)?
Here is what the Manusmriti 11.41 says:
If a Brāhmaṇa who has set up the fires neglects them wilfully, he
shall perform the ‘Cāndrāyaṇa’ penance for a month; as his offence is
equal to the ...
7
votes
1
answer
209
views
Does Medhatithi contradict Manu Smriti while writing Bhasya? Does this verse of Manu allow a Bramhana to commit all bad acts and escape punishment?
Manu Smriti verse 9.319 says : Similarly even though they betake themselves to all sorts of undesirable acts, yet Brāhmaṇas should be honoured in every way; for they are the greatest divinity.
But ...
7
votes
1
answer
234
views
What are the impure substances from which prohibited food grows
Manu RIshi talks about prohibited food items in Manu Smriti verse 5.5, the original verse is
लशुनं गृञ्जनं चैव पलाण्डुं कवकानि च ।
अभक्ष्याणि द्विजातीनाममेध्यप्रभवानि च ॥ ५ ॥
Garlic, leeks ...
7
votes
1
answer
406
views
What are the canonical texts in Hinduism for morality and ethics?
There are several texts in Hinduism which flirts with the idea of morality and ethics. Itihiasa texts like Mahabharata and Ramayana gives a subjective aura around the subject of morality, notably the ...
7
votes
2
answers
391
views
Where is the injunction to do Sandhyavandanam found in the Vedas?
I know the injunction for Dvijas to do Sandhyavandanam is found in the Manusmriti, but where is this injunction found in the Vedas?
The Gayatri mantra is found in the Vedas, but where is the ...
7
votes
1
answer
195
views
Which verses in the Vedas describe humans as the same as Pashus?
I remember seeing some Vedic verses related to this (either in Rig or Atharva Veda)
and they were either talking about all animals and in that humans were too there or like that only but thinking (...
7
votes
0
answers
322
views
Why do Brahmacharis who break the vow of celibacy need to sacrifice a donkey as atonement?
From Apastamba Dharma Sutras 1.9.26.8:
A [student] who has broken the vow of chastity, shall offer to Nirṛiti
an ass, according to the manner of the Pāka-yajña-rites.
This same Prayaschitta is ...
7
votes
0
answers
840
views
Where can I read Manusmriti along with all its commentaries in English?
Manusmriti has more than six commentaries so far (Bhāruci, Medhātithi, Govindarāja, Kullūka, Nārāyana, Sarvajnanarayana, Nandana, Raghavananda, Ramacandra). Only Medhatithi's commentary which has been ...
6
votes
2
answers
623
views
Is there any punishment mentioned in Dharmashastras for the vilification of Vedas?
I was wondering whether criticizing the Vedas is a condemnable offence. In other religions, usually condemning the scripture can have a severe consequence. What about Hinduism?
6
votes
2
answers
497
views
Do Smriti Shastras have any provision that allows changes with time?
Smriti Shastras dictates rules to govern society. However, with time society changes. What were relevant thousand years back may not be relevant today. Have Smriti Shastras have any such option to ...
6
votes
1
answer
551
views
What is the punishment of lesbian sex, according to Smritis?
Manu declared that if a man does it to another man, he has to perform the Santapana penance (11.174*). What if a woman does it to another woman?
*Reference -
Manu's Code of Law - a critical Edition by ...
6
votes
2
answers
370
views
What is the source of the Sanskrit śloka that lists the four corner-stones of dharma?
Vedah Smritah Sadaachaarah Svasyacha priyamaatmanah,
Etad chaturvidham praahuh saakshaat Dharmasya lakshanam
The four corner-stones of Dharma are Veda, Smriti, Sadaachaara and above all,
...
6
votes
1
answer
360
views
Where has it said in the authentic scriptures, that a year in the Yuga schematic of Manu is actually a Daiva year?
The one of the early mentions of Yuga theory of Satya, Treta, Dwapara and Kali occurs in Manu Smriti.
There the Yuga is acutally only 12000 years with
Kali Yuga - 1200 years
Dwapara Yuga - 2400 ...
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Why do some scriptures say men should not marry a girl who has no brother?
In various scriptures it is mentioned that we should not marry a woman who has no brother.
Manusmriti 3:11.
yasyāstu na bhaved bhrātā na vijñāyeta vā pitā | naupayaccheta tāṃ
prājñaḥ putrikā'...
6
votes
1
answer
654
views
Rigveda verse after nocturnal emission in manusmriti
It is mentioned in Manusmriti in the 181th line that "A twice-born student, who has involuntarily wasted his manly strength during sleep, must bathe, worship the sun, and afterwards thrice mutter the ...
6
votes
0
answers
63
views
What is the status of offspring born from same gotra marriage?
Same gotra marriage is censured . But if such marriage happens , what is the status of the offspring born from such a marriage ?
6
votes
0
answers
250
views
Why is food smelt by a cow impure when cow's dung and urine is used for purification rites?
Manu-smṛti 5.123:
पक्षिजग्धं गवा घ्रातमवधूतमवक्षुतम् ।
दूषितं केशकीटैश्च मृत्प्रक्षेपेण शुध्यति ॥ १२३ ॥
pakṣijagdhaṃ gavā ghrātamavadhūtamavakṣutam |
dūṣitaṃ keśakīṭaiśca ...
6
votes
1
answer
257
views
Were the harsher punishments laid out in smṛtis actually carried out or they merely served as a deterrent?
Were some of the harsher punishments laid out in smṛtis like the Manu actually carried out (any real examples?) or they merely served as a deterrent?
From Manusmṛti:
On abusing a Brāhmaṇa the ...
5
votes
3
answers
348
views
On verses, from major Hindu texts, similar in purport to those found in the Bhagawat Gita
The Mahabharatha, which is one of the two "Itihasa" texts among Hindu Scriptures,is a work by Sri Vyasa.
It also contains the "Bhagawat Gita"(BG), the discourse given by Lord Krishna to Arjuna during ...