(Recovered and Reloaded)
Manusmrithi
- the age - old Constitution
Vanam
Jwala Narasimha Rao
Metro
India Daily (25-05-2016)
It has
become a fashion these days to ridicule and speak badly about Brahmins,
Manusmrithi, Manu Dharma Sastra, Brahmanism, Hindu religion and the connected
beliefs. A popular political sociologist after describing Brahmins as lazy lots
had to withdraw his comments after protests by a group of Brahmin society
representatives. He however, though retreated from his comments, said that, he
is only against Brahmanism but not against Brahmins! It is strange how
Brahmanism has originated without Brahmins? In other words he unequivocally
professes hatred towards ancient dharma, thousands years old Hindu religion,
Manu dharma etc. This is an attempt to make it clear to such critics about
Brahmanism, ancient dharma, human dharma which they criticize day in and day
out hoping that they would set themselves right.
These
same people resort to conduct seminars and symposia with a subject on Anti
Brahmanism and “upper caste domination” and liberally use a word “spiritual
democracy”. In fact in each and every word of Manusmrithi it is crystal clear
that the so called spiritual democracy is reflected. These people also indulge
in criticizing on one side the Hindu religion and praising the other side the
Buddhism, Islam and Christianity! If, according to them, these three religions
are spiritual fragrances, then even the Hinduism is equally and to that matter
more a spiritual fragrance. From one side they profess casteless society and
from the other side they divide Brahmins and Dalits and speak of them
differently. It is a known fact that the same Brahmins whom these people are
criticizing, have been in forefront, in almost all revolutionary movements, and
the names of such persons need not be mentioned as they are very popular. Any
reform in the society anywhere in the country Brahmins played their role. Why
criticize then?
If anyone
feels that he or she knows everything and no one need tell them anything then
they should be treated as stupid according to Late Pullella Srirama Chandrudu,
an Indian scholar of Vedanta, Vyakarana and Alankara Sastra and a prolific
writer of Sanskrit and Telugu literature. Writing introduction to a book on
“Manusmrithi” in Telugu authored by 93 year old Komaragiri Yoganananda
Laxminarasimha Rao popularly known as KYL, Late Pullella mentioned that if
anyone desires to know about justice, injustice, virtue, sin, heaven, hell,
life and death, god, relationship etc one has to look at Vedas. He said that
this is the belief of all Hindus and even all Indians. Among several books
written by KYL Manusmrithi needs special mention.
Manusmrithi
or Manu Dharma Sastra whose basis is Vedas is an all time great book. Author
KYL in his introduction and as well as in subsequent chapters enunciated
several aspects with appropriate examples and said that for all types of
Justice-dharma the foundation is laid in Vedas. Manusmrithi is nothing but an
extension of Vedas philosophy and principles. For the entire Hindu community it
is a constitution like book. In fact based on this, India’s first Governor
General Warren Hastings brought out a comprehensive legal code. Taking cue from
him, William Jones who was Supreme Court Judge while Hastings was Governor
General got it translated and printed in English. For this work British
Government honored Jones with “Sir” title. The then British Government always
respected Indian and Hindu literature and also the ancient culture, tradition
and religious beliefs and with a view to enrich the British officers about the
legal procedures they got Manusmrithi translated in to English. While this was
so, it is unfortunate that some of our Indians indulge in criticism and
ridicule them.
Manu Code
is a fundamental encyclopedia and applicable for all times. It has included in
it a variety of ancient codes on dharma and thus evolved itself as the best
available code of dharma and influenced for centuries the Hindu and Indian
society which is similar to a perennial river or a great river that after its
origination takes into its fold several rivulets and during the course of its
flow converts the land as fertile before it joins the ocean. In fact it has
even influenced the world society too in different ways. Manu Code is nothing
but a Human Code of dharma and several extraordinary human beings or may be
humans with supernatural powers might have compiled it after years of hard
work. As long as we protect this, it protects us….and if we attempt to destroy
it, in turn it might destroy us. On the name of Brahmanism and unnecessary
opposition to it as well as opposing the Hinduism let us not attempt to
denigrate Manu dharma.
Manusmrithi
professes all virtues only…it speaks of welfare of society and variety of
procedures everyone has to adopt in life. It has never belittled women…it only
mentioned about proper protection to women like the “Nirbhaya” Act or to that
matter the SHE Teams. It is crystal clear in the Shloka “Yatra naaryastu
poojyamte…phalaa kriyah” meaning where woman is respected there we find gods
and goddesses. In the society visualized by Manu woman has a respectable place.
It has in it 2684 Shlokas.
Only when
you read it with open mind one will be able to understand it. One has to
understand the inner meaning in it. Whatever is mentioned in it may not be
applicable for all the times to come and in some areas it might require
amendments like we do for our constitution. However the basic structure of
Manusmrithi shall remain intact. At least let us take the best part of it and apply
in our life.
‘Hinduism’, whether a
religion or not, but, is as a way of life and questioning it is nothing but
questioning the way of life of millions of people who followed it for
centuries. Indian culture and Hindu culture is one of the best cultures in the
whole world. It has come to stay despite umpteen social revolutions and
continue to stay as a live way of life for more and more centuries to come. The
reason for this its roots are in Vedas. End
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