Manusmrti

Book Specification

Book Description

About the Book

In the Indian tradition, the most ancient Smrti has been created by Prajapati Manu. It is the oldest and most authentic text of Human Theology. Many directives of the Manu Smrti can be seen in the great epic Mahabharata also compilation of which began in the Dvapara Yuga. Manu Smrti contains about 2600 slokas in the 12 chapters. The main contents of the 12 chapters speak about the different ways in which a human can get happiness. The main topics are : the genesis of the universe, procedures of performing ceremonies, the methods of fulfilling vows, holy baths, performing marriages, Mahayajaya (religious sacrifices), method of pacifying deceased ancestors etc., regular ablutions and routines, Sutaka Vrata, edible and non-edible things, cleanliness, impurity, the duty of the wife, Yanaprastha, liberation, detachment, the duty of Royal people, the relegation of duty, the duty of women and men, the narrow, parochial castes, the duty in emergency, repentance, transmigration, Supreme bliss, the objective of the universe, actions, the merits, and defects coveted to deeds, place and castes, the duty of the clan and liberation.

In the present Kali Yuga also, prestige of Manu-smrti has been maintained. Even today, the pages of this great scripture are turned over whenever religious ways are sought in social conduct. Religious and flourishing existence of human being in the modern era can be regarded as a result of the policy outlined in Manu-smrti.

The present translation of Manu-Smrti by G.Buhler is an authentic English Translation with extracts from seven available commentaries on Manu-Smrti. The editor of the present book has further enhanced the English translation by replacing older usages of English words with the corresponding modern equivalents. He has done a considerable labour to put Sanskrit text and English translation side by side. The text has been corrected at various places for an improved edition of Manu-Smrti.

Introduction

In the Indian tradition, the most ancient Smrti has been created by Prajapati Manu. It is the oldest and authentic text of Human Theology. Many directives of the Manu Smrti can be seen in the great epic Mahabhdrata also compilation of which began in the Dvapara Yuga. Manu Smrti contains about 2600 slokas in the 12 chapters.