hu’MANU’ we ignored

Mathrudevobhava,

pitrudevobhava,

Aacharayadevobhava.

“janani janma bhoomischa swargadapi gariyasi”- Lord Rama, on footsteps of him, I owe to do something for my country and dharma that I born in.

I am honored and privileged to start this translation series of columns on ‘Manu dharma Sastra’ written by ‘MVR Sastry’ who served as editor for 23 years for Andhrabhoomi(Telugu paper), and famous for his works like Edi charitra, Idi Charitra, 1857, Alluri sitarama raaju, Andhrula Charitra, Kashmir katha in Telugu, on eve of vilambinama samvatsara Yugadi. Please do ignore my mistakes as it is my first work.

“Manu belongs to no single nation or race; he belongs to the whole world. His teachings are not addressed to an isolated group , caste or sect , but to humanity. They transcend time and address themselves to the eternal in man .There is need for a fresh statement , in the light of modern knowledge and experience , of the fundamental teachings of Manu.”

These words are neither spoken by a bramhin, who has his roots deepen into caste system with great pride of his own community, nor by an half knowledge d crook who supports bhramhanism by ignoring the other castes. These words are exactly taken from the thesis for PhD from one of well known University in America 60 years back by Dr. Kewal Motwani a well known socialist, this was later(in 1958) published as book called ” Manu Dharma Sastra .. A Sociological And Historical Study ” which got humongous applause from many wise people from different countries.

Many acquainted scholars around you would consider it a sin when you take out name of Manu. Because these so called sagacious people consider him as originator of the caste system which tried to lift up seeds of bhramhanism and suppress the lower castes(mainly Dalits) and feminism. Many of these fellows also believe that Manus writings ‘MANU SMRITHI’ or ‘MANU DHARMA SASTRA’ is the main reason for havoc of bramhin upper hand in caste system, and masculinity that is prevailed in today’s india. Not only that but also many believe that his writings are the reason why crores downtrodden Dalits in India are treated in barbaric and In-human way.

Then why on this earth is this Motwani did certify and glorify this brutish, cruel and draconian MANU as ‘Patriarch and pride of Human Race’ ?

Before coming to a conclusion that Motwani is Manu follower, or a guy who cheer-up bramhanism, or he is bone headed learner, let’s once look deeper into his thesis.

“Fundamentally, dharma sastra contains a statement of principles of social life of man applicable at all times and in all climes, and therefore it has universal significance, it’s teachings are aimed at homo sapiens, the human race, as a whole, and they emphasize the element of the permanent, the eternal in life of man and society”

[ Manu Dharma Sastra , Kewal Motwani , p. xi ]

“We came across Manu’s name in India, Iran, Sumeria, Egypt, Crete and later in Babylon, Assriya, Hatti, Antolia, Palastine and more later in Greece and Rome, In eastern and southeastren countries Manu is a highly honored name. Burma, Siam, Malaya, Indonesia, Indo-China, Bali, Phillipine islands, and Ceylon still keep alive Manus memory and make use of his dharma sastra even today, since their legal systems and and social organisations are based on his teachings”
[ Manu Dharma Sastra , Kewal Motwani , P5-6 ]

Not only just giving the names of those countries but also Motwani mentioned about the historical relation of those countries with Manu.

Apart from Motwani, British encyclopedia, American encyclopedia of social sciences and Cambridge history of India has recognized Manu as human patriarch, first law provider and a principal socialist. Many writers from West like A.A. Macdonnel, A.B. Keith , P.Thomas, Louis Renoy considers laws from Manu smrithi are highly acceptable and will do good to human race. Stepping ahead a Germany scholar named Frederich Neitsche said that this book is more valuable to human race than that of Bible.

It has been historically proven that in many places like Bali, Burma, Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal and srilanka they strictly followed ‘Varna system’ proposed by Manu based on their avocation. There are also evidences found that many kings of different countries used to consider Dharma sutras of Manu for judgement purpose, these evidences are even available today. To show that they followed Manu dharma they even wrote many verses of it on their stone carvings. Many kings felt rewarded that they follow the rules laid by Manu.

For example: Raja jayendra Verma of Champa(Vietnam) established that he is adherent follower of Manu. Not only him kings like udyan Verma and raaja jayavanna etched in stone that Manu’s writings consists many moral values for human society.

Please have a look at below picture:

This is the picture of great Manu statue that is installed behind the president’s seat in national assembly hall and also made inscription below it saying ‘Manu, the first ,the greatest , and the wisest lawgiver of mankind’ . Till today no scholar or so called socialists from their country neither contradicted nor opposed installation of this statue of a guy from Hindu country who written some dharma sastra thousands of years back.

But where as in his own country Manu has never got the respect what he is really deserves.

See this picture below:

This statute was installed at high court of Jaipur by the lawyers association in 1989, but so called humanist leaders, and some organizations who deliberately oppose Manu and his writings by their continues efforts emphasized to remove it. The same court orders to remove it at one stage, but by a plea from one of Aarya samaj guys stopped it, the same case is still.held at court from 25 years. Recently notices went to state government to remove it from that place.

Factor of bewilderment comes when we see that other parts of world claims Manu’s writings high, but he is hated in his own country as a Sinister and also when many learnt intellectuals strongly believe Manu and his dharma sastra are the sole reason for social inequality prevailed in the modern Indian society among the different castes and women.

What is the reason for this strange conflict?, Did people mistaken Manu or do they have mis-conception on his dharma? Or the error is with the thinking approach sect of people who don’t like Manu’s teachings? How much is he responsible for the accusations claimed on him by modern intellectuals?, Is writings of Manu completely error landed? Or do it still have something that is useful for modern world??

Let us see it in next parts