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Manu Introduction

Manu was considered the first Hindu political philosopher and king in ancient India. He codified laws and created a new Hindu social and political order in his masterpiece, the Manusmriti, one of the most influential Hindu law books. According to Hindu mythology, all dynasties in India trace their origin back to Manu. He established dharma, or moral law and order, and guided humanity for over 12,000 years through his teachings in the Manusmriti.

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Seema Das
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2K views2 pages

Manu Introduction

Manu was considered the first Hindu political philosopher and king in ancient India. He codified laws and created a new Hindu social and political order in his masterpiece, the Manusmriti, one of the most influential Hindu law books. According to Hindu mythology, all dynasties in India trace their origin back to Manu. He established dharma, or moral law and order, and guided humanity for over 12,000 years through his teachings in the Manusmriti.

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Seema Das
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MANU

➢ Manu was considered the first Hindu Political philosopher who laid the foundation
of India's political tradition in Ancient India. According to Hindu mythology , all the
dynasties that ruled India owed their origin to the primeval King Manu
➢ Manu was not only the first king of ancient India he was also the first philosopher
who codified the laws and created a new Hindu Social and Political Order.
➢ His original and brilliant masterpiece , the Manusmriti is the most influential Hindu
Law book which still determines the social and political orientations of many Indians .
➢ The Study of Manu has become more relevant with the emergence of Hindu
revivalism in Modern India.

Who is Manu?
➢ Manu in its literal implication stands for Wisdom and compassion
➢ He was also considered to be the symbol of an institution or office of the kingship
➢ It is said Manu was the first progeny of the creator Brahma .
➢ Braham in his plan of creation implanted the human race which started from Manu.
➢ According to it Manu created himself and exhibited his power of kingship in
different periods
➢ He led the creation in different phases of History and become the source of
knowledge , power and Authority .
➢ Some Scholars appreciated that Manu was the symbol of office of the kingship.
some other view him to be the real king who exited in different periods and guided
human generation through his ruling.
➢ Chapter one - hymn 61-62 of their Manusmrit it is mentioned - there were seven
Manus who exited in different periods. those were-
➢ Svayambhubu Manu
➢ Swarachisa Manu
➢ Outtami Manu
➢ Tamasha Manu
➢ Raibata Manu
➢ Chhakshsusa Manu
➢ Mahatejasvi Vaivasvta Manu
➢ But the Agni Purana mentioned about fourteen Manus
➢ Besides the Seven Manu mentioned above eight Manu was the Son of Aditya ( the
Sun) who created him out of his shadow and his name was Savarni
➢ But about other Manus Agni Puran left their prigin to different assumptions. thus
the contemporary literatures vary in their views on Manu.
➢ But one common agreement was their Manu was the creator the philosopher and he
was the first Hindu King in ancient India.
➢ The term of office of King Manu continue for twelve thousand years as per the
Vedic calculation .
➢ Sir William Jones traced Manu to 1200 BC. Bhandarker talks of the origin of Manu
between the Middle of the Second Century AD and the end of Fifth Century AD.
According to Hopkins Manu lived in the Beginning of or even before the Christian
era.

The Mamusmriti

➢ The Manusmrit is the most unique and scholarly work of the Manu. The
Manusmrit has an extraordinary significance as a socio- religious work for the
Hindus in all times. It is the most important treaties on socio -religion and
State-Craft. The manusmriti is like the other Smritis which was its origins in
the Vadas.
➢ Hence it is treated as the most authoritative work. It is the first work which
considered the Law in ancient India and the first time create the political
theory of a social order of government Danda , Law and Justice.

Manusmirti Consists of Twelve Chapters

➢ The First chapter consisting of 119 hymns deals with the origin of the
Universe .
➢ Second chapter consisting of 249 hymns deals with the different parts and
duties of life such as hereditary occupation process of purification ,
Bramacharya (celibacy) and Devotion to the Guru ( the teacher)
➢ Third chapter consisting of 286 hymns deals with household's life, the system
of marriage , rules regarding happy marriages
➢ Fourth Chapter consisting of 260 hymns deals with the rules of Grahastha life
and Varna order.
➢ The fifth Chapter consisting of 169 hymns deals with pure and impure food,
ceremonial purifications and duties of Wife
➢ Sixth Chapter mentions about Vanaprastha and Sanyasa in 97 hymns .
➢ The Seven Chapter consisting of 226 hymns explaining about the kings duties
, the court and the payment of the tax.
➢ Eight chapter includes 420 hymns laying down the procedure of civil and
criminal laws
➢ Ninth chapter consisting of 336 hymns deals with the system of divorce and
distribution of property. in this chapter also discussed about civil laws.
➢ The tenth Chapter dealing with the creation , occupation and duties of
different castes covers 131 hymns.
➢ The eleventh chapter covering 265 verses speaks about the system of Penance
through performances .
➢ The last chapter deals with the rules of Social life , Moksha, self- knowledge,
self examination , duties towards the Society and the states

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