Kalyana-Kalpataru: Volume 45, October 1999, No. 1 (An Old and Rare Book: Only 1 Quantity Available)

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Manusmrti is a treatise on Dharma. It is the first Law book of its type in the world. As the word 'Law' was defined as common sense codified' so can Dharma be defined as "commonly accepted and practised norms of social conduct". Smrtis deal with only this aspect of Dharma. Even though Manusmrti deals with all the four Purusarthas besides the process of creation etc., yet the main object of Manu is centred around the smooth running of social life leaving little room for social unrest. Manu seems to be of opinion that even Moksa is possible only in a calm and peaceful society what to talk of the secular advancement.

Among innumerable characteristic aspects of Dharma, only Upasana and Acara the two are of social importance and the rest are only indirectly related to society. This is why, by Dharma Sastra, we mean only Smrtis supported by and based on the Vedas. According to Manu, Dharma is-

वेदोऽखिलो धर्ममूलं स्मृतिशीले च तद्विदाम् ।

आचारश्चैव साधूनामात्मनस्तुष्टिरेव च॥

(Manusmrti II. 6)

The Vedas, the Vedic Smrtis, the qualities of the knowers of Vedas, the conduct of pious ones and lastly the self-satisfaction-these are the sources from which Dharma emanates.

धृतिः क्षमा दमोऽस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः ।

धीर्विद्या सत्यमक्रोधो दशकं धर्मलक्षणम् ॥

As a matter of fact this verse may be taken as an explanatory note of the word 'शील' appearing in (Manusmrti II. 6). As is quite apparent, these 10 are not Dharma in themselves but are distinguishing features or characteristic marks of a religious person.

In any organised religion such as Hindu, Moslim etc., there are certain rules and norms which are to be followed by all without exception. Then above and apart from these, certain individuals according to their talent and capability undergo special disciplining. We may term it as general and individual discipline. It is just like sub-sects within the frame work of a cult or creed.

Basically all humans of the world are one and the same.

Their body, mind and thinking pattern-all are alike. Dividing factors are (1) Colour (2) Country (3) Language and (4) The Religion. But for these every human is a human just as every cow is a cow and every animal is an animal. To try to hold this unity, is the biggest Dharma the universal Dharma. Then again just like every man is a man and animal is animal, similarly every living being is a life and as such, at the end of our vertical journey we find an absolute oneness at the root of this apparent diversity. And Dharma will cease to be Dharma if it fails to teach how to realize this ultimate unit which unites the whole universe and even beyond it.

Manusmrti is as a matter of truth not only Dharma Sastra but Purusartha Sastra as it deals with Arth, Kama and Moksa also. But since it regards Dharma as a stepping stone for realizing the other three and with the result it discusses Dharma in a greater detail it is called and in fact it is, Dharma Sastra. As such, it prescribes ways for earning money strictly through right means; for utilizing money in a rightful manner and enjoying married life and procreating progeny and finally attaining Moksa.

Is Manusmrti only a Hindu Sastra? No, it covers a universal range and arena as mostly it deals with the human nature, human relations, human needs and human requirements. It recognizes human shortcomings with the utmost sympathy. Only a broad-minded Manu could preach-

प्रवृत्तिरेषा भूतानां निवृत्तिस्तु महाफला ।।

(V. 56) Even Gita is more rigid and strong when the Lord says-

सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि ।

प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति ॥

(Gita III. 33)

Manu and Gita both recognize the fact what is natural cannot be wrong eventhough curbing or subduing or sublimating natural instincts may be beneficiary and it is not altogether impossible. More often than not such verdicts of universal nature, we find in Manusmrti. In connection with selecting a bride or a groom, what Manu says, is not just Hindu ways. Of course the religious sacraments given by Manu are different from those adopted by other creeds. In that way Manusmrti can be termed as Hindu Dharma Sastra.

**Contents and Sample Pages**