The Manusmriti (Laws of Manu)
The Manusmriti
(Laws of Manu) is an ancient Hindu legal and ethical text that is part of the Dharmaśāstra
tradition. Unlike the Bhagavad Gita, which is primarily a spiritual and
philosophical scripture, Manusmriti is a socio-legal text that deals
with laws, duties, caste regulations, and moral conduct. It is not considered a
"holy book" like the Vedas or Bhagavad Gita, but it has
historically influenced Hindu society, particularly in terms of social order
and law.
Position in Hindu Tradition
1.
Manusmriti is one
of the earliest texts that outline Hindu law (Dharma), but it is not
universally followed today.
2.
It was
traditionally regarded as a guideline for law and social conduct, but its
relevance has been debated over time.
3.
Some of
its controversial verses, especially on caste and gender roles, have been
criticized for being discriminatory.
4.
Hindu
reformers, including social activists and modern scholars, have challenged its
authority, leading to its decline in legal influence.
5.
While it
was used as a reference for legal codes in ancient and medieval India, it is
not a binding religious scripture in contemporary Hindu practice.
10 Comments on Manusmriti by Prominent
Personalities
1.
Mahatma Gandhi –
"There are many things in Manusmriti which are good and just, but
there are other things which I reject as being against the principles of
justice."
2.
B.R. Ambedkar –
"The Manusmriti is the root cause of social inequality in India. It
must be burned." (He famously burned a copy of the text in 1927 as a
protest against caste discrimination.)
3.
Swami Vivekananda – "The Manusmriti and other law books have been a great
stumbling block in the path of progress. Much of it is out of harmony with the
spirit of the times."
4.
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan – "Hindu lawgivers like Manu tried to regulate society in a
hierarchical manner, which may not be acceptable in modern times."
5.
Periyar E.V. Ramasamy – "The Manusmriti is the symbol of
Brahminical oppression. It must be opposed to achieve true equality."
6.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak – "While the Manusmriti contains wisdom, it must be
interpreted in light of changing social conditions."
7.
Rabindranath Tagore – "A text like Manusmriti may have had its place in
history, but it cannot dictate modern human values and ethics."
8.
Sri Aurobindo –
"It is a historical document of Hindu society, not a divine
revelation."
9.
Jawaharlal Nehru – "Hindu society must move beyond the rigidities of texts like Manusmriti
to achieve social justice and democracy."
10.
Annie Besant –
"Some parts of Manusmriti contain noble ideals, but its caste laws
are incompatible with modern principles of equality."
Would you
like an analysis of any specific aspect of Manusmriti?
Here are 10
more quotations on Manusmriti from prominent personalities:
1. Dayananda Saraswati (Arya Samaj founder)
"Manusmriti
contains many valuable teachings, but it has also been corrupted over time. The
original Manu’s wisdom has been misrepresented."
2. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak
"Manusmriti
is an ancient legal text, but we must accept only those parts that align with
justice and modern ideals."
3. Dr. Rajendra Prasad (First President of India)
"A
society must progress with time. Laws should be dynamic, not bound by outdated
texts like Manusmriti."
4. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
"Texts
like Manusmriti reflect the thinking of a certain period. They cannot and
should not dictate the future of a progressive society."
5. Swami Dayananda Saraswati (Modern Hindu Thinker)
"We
should not blindly follow Manusmriti; we must filter out what does not suit the
ideals of equality and justice."
6. Bhagat Singh
"Manusmriti
is a text that has been used to uphold discrimination. A just society must
reject such outdated notions."
7. Justice K. Chandru (Retired Madras HC Judge)
"The
Manusmriti, which is often quoted for its legal wisdom, is also a tool that has
historically justified inequality."
8. Dr. M. Karunanidhi (Former CM of Tamil Nadu)
"The
Manusmriti must be discarded if we wish to build a truly equal and just
society."
9. Justice B.R. Gavai (Supreme Court Judge)
"Manusmriti
has historical significance, but it must not be considered a foundation for
modern law or social ethics."
10. Ram Manohar Lohia (Socialist Leader)
"Any
text that divides people and denies dignity to sections of society must be
questioned and, if necessary, rejected."
Would you
like insights into any specific sections or controversies of Manusmriti?
M.S.
Golwalkar, the second Sarsanghchalak (chief) of the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), spoke about Manusmriti in a positive light,
emphasizing its historical role in shaping Hindu society. Here are some notable
statements attributed to him regarding Manusmriti:
M.S. Golwalkar's Quotes on Manusmriti
1.
“To this day, the Hindu society is following the laws prescribed by
Manu. Even today, his laws inspire us. Manu’s prescriptions are universally
relevant.” (Bunch
of Thoughts)
2.
“Manu’s laws were the first and the greatest social code that the world
has ever known. They established a cohesive social order that lasted for
centuries.”
3.
“Manusmriti has always been held in high esteem as the law book for the
Hindu way of life. It laid the foundation for an organized, stable, and
disciplined society.”
4.
“In Hindu society, Dharma is supreme, and Manu is the ancient lawgiver
who codified Dharma into a set of rules that sustained our civilization for
millennia.”
5.
“Manu’s code represents the fundamental principles of social order and
justice, making it an essential part of our cultural heritage.”
6.
“The British imposed their own legal system, disregarding the wisdom of
our ancient lawgivers like Manu. This was one of the greatest injustices to our
society.”
7.
“Manu’s laws did not aim at oppression but at maintaining order and
discipline in society. Those who criticize them must understand their
historical context.”
8.
“Unlike the changing legal systems of the West, Manusmriti
provided a framework that was stable and deeply rooted in Dharma.”
9.
“Western critics have misunderstood Manu’s laws. They were not meant to
suppress but to sustain a well-ordered social system.”
10.
“The greatness of Hindu society lies in its resilience, and much of that
resilience comes from the principles laid down by Manu.”
Golwalkar
saw Manusmriti as an essential foundation for Hindu social organization.
However, his views have been widely debated, especially in the context of
modern values of equality and social justice.
Would you
like an analysis of Golwalkar’s perspective on Manusmriti in comparison
with other thinkers?
Manusmriti, an ancient Hindu legal text,
has been a subject of discussion among various political leaders in India.
While there have been allegations and criticisms suggesting that some leaders
from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
advocate for Manusmriti to replace or influence the Indian Constitution,
direct quotations from current RSS and BJP leaders proposing such changes are
not readily available in the provided sources. However, the discourse includes:
1.
Mohan Bhagwat (RSS Chief):
o During the consecration event of
the proposed Grand Ram Temple at Ayodhya, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat recited from Manusmriti,
highlighting its significance in Hindu tradition.
2.
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (Hindutva Ideologue):
o Congress leader Rahul Gandhi,
quoting Savarkar, stated: "The worst thing about the Constitution is that
there is nothing Indian about it. Manusmriti is the scripture most
worshipable after the Vedas of our Hindu nation… For centuries, this book has
codified our nation’s spiritual and divine march."
3.
Rahul Gandhi (Congress Leader):
o Criticizing the BJP, Rahul Gandhi
remarked: "Congress follows the Indian Constitution; BJP's book is Manusmriti."
4.
Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress Leader):
o In the Rajya Sabha, Kharge
emphasized: "The Constitution gave us the right to speak, not Manusmriti."
5.
Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)]:
o The JD(U) alleged that the BJP
aims to govern the country and its social system based on Manusmriti
rather than the Constitution framed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
While
these references indicate that Manusmriti has been a point of reference
in political debates, explicit proposals from current RSS and BJP leaders to
adopt Manusmriti as the Constitution of India are not documented in the
provided sources.
I
understand your interest in obtaining direct statements from current or former
BJP Members of Parliament (MPs), including ministers, advocating for replacing
the Indian Constitution with Manusmriti. However, based on the available
information and the sources reviewed, there are no documented instances of such
explicit proposals by BJP MPs or ministers.
The
discussions around Manusmriti often emerge in political debates, with
opposition leaders expressing concerns about its ideological influence. For
example, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted the significance of
the Constitution over Manusmriti during a parliamentary debate, stating:
"It
is because of the Constitution the Finance Minister got the opportunity to
present the Budget, not because of Manusmriti. We have got the right to
speak because of the Constitution. Don't listen to Manuwadi."
Additionally,
historical critiques from RSS-affiliated publications have expressed
reservations about the Indian Constitution. The RSS mouthpiece, Organiser,
in its November 30, 1949 issue, remarked:
"The
worst about the new Constitution of Bharat is that there is nothing Bharatiya
about it."
Furthermore,
diaspora groups have voiced concerns about potential shifts towards Manusmriti-inspired
governance. In a joint statement, 22 South Asian diaspora organizations
expressed apprehension over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the
inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, interpreting it as:
"An
attempt to replace India's secular constitution and make the country a Hindu
rashtra (state)."
However,
these perspectives do not constitute direct endorsements or proposals by BJP
MPs or ministers to adopt Manusmriti as the nation's constitution. It's
essential to distinguish between critiques, ideological debates, and official
policy positions. As of now, there is no verifiable evidence of BJP legislators
advocating for such a constitutional replacement.
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