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Book : (Political Science)
Book Name – Indian Political Thought (OP Gauba)
What’s Inside the Chapter? (After Subscription)
1. General Introduction
2. Foundations of Social Organisation
3. Jurisprudence and the Science of Polity
3.1. Sources of Law
3.2. Science of Polity
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Manu: The Exponent of Dharmashastra
Chapter – 2
General Introduction
In ancient Indian tradition, there are references to three important figures named Manu.
These include:
Manu of the Deluge
Manu Vaivasvata
Manu, the Law-giver
The first two figures, Manu of the Deluge and Manu Vaivasvata, are considered mythological characters.
The story of Manu of the Deluge is described in the Shatapatha Brahmana.
According to the legend, he was the only person who survived the Great Deluge.
After surviving the flood, he became the founder of the present human race.
Manu Vaivasvata is regarded as the first king of human beings and the founder of the institution of kingship.
According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, people suffering from anarchy elected Manu Vaivasvata as their king.
This situation is described through the principle of Maatsya Nyaya (law of the fish), where the strong devour the weak, similar to a big fish swallowing a small fish.
To escape such disorder and insecurity, the people collectively chose Manu Vaivasvata as the ruler.
Manu, the Law-giver, is regarded as the author of Manusmriti, also known as the Code of Manu.
In mythology, he is described as one of the seven great sages (Saptarishis) created by Brahma, the creator of the universe.
However, since Manusmriti is a literary and legal text created through human effort, Manu the Law-giver may be considered a historical figure.
There is no definite agreement among scholars regarding the exact date of Manu.
According to Hopkins in the Cambridge History of India (Vol. I):
Manu lived around the beginning of the Christian era or even earlier.
Other authors of Smritis (codes of Hindu law) appeared later:
Vishnu Smriti in the third century A.D.
Yajnavalkya Smriti in the fourth century A.D.
Narada Smriti in the fifth century A.D.
Because of the ancient sanctity and authority of its contents, Manusmriti is regarded as a very ancient text.
Among all Smritis (Hindu legal codes), Manusmriti is considered the most important and authoritative.
It is believed to embody the essence of the Vedas, which are the most ancient and sacred scriptures of Hinduism.
Any Smriti text that contradicted Manusmriti was generally not accepted or approved within the Hindu legal and religious tradition.