Select Langauge
Topic – Manu (Notes)
Subject – Political Science
(Indian Political Thought)
Table of Contents
- In the history of ancient Indian political philosophy, Manu, the author of the Manusmriti, is regarded as the first teacher who revealed the essence of humanity.
- He is considered the first legislator who laid down the norms of social life and politics.
- His writings reflected a balance of pragmatic visualization and idealization of life, primarily centered on Dharma, which goes beyond the western notions of religion, duty, law, rights, and justice.
- Over time, however, Manu’s system was reduced into a rigid dogma, which was misused by certain groups to promote vested interests and social injustice.
- During contemporary times, Buddhism and Jainism posed challenges to the fundamental assumptions of the Vedas.
- The Manusmriti became central as a priestly response to the crisis that threatened traditional Aryan culture.
- K.P. Jayaswal argued that the theory of the divinity of kingship was advanced in the Manusmriti to strengthen the Brahman empire of Pushyamitra and to counter the Buddhist theory of the social contract origin of the state.
- The text holds immense value as a historical document that created and synthesized a cultural paradigm.
- In this regard, it can be seen as a complement to the Bhagavad Gita and the great epics – Mahabharata and Ramayana, which pursued similar objectives.
- Hindu texts are broadly divided into Shruti and Smriti.
- The Vedas are considered Shruti scriptures, believed to be directly heard by Rishis in tapasya from Parameshwara, making them authorless and eternal.
- Smriti refers to what is remembered or based on human memory and intellect.
- Major Smriti scriptures include Vedanga, Upaveda, Dharmashastra, and the popular Smritis of Manu, Yajnavalkya, Narad, among others.
- Manu is often seen as the mythological ancestor of humanity, the Indian counterpart of Adam.
Indian Political Thought Membership Required
You must be a Indian Political Thought member to access this content.
Already a member? Log in here