Manu's Code of Law A Critical Edition and Translation of the Manava-Dharmasastra

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Manu's Code of Law, which dates back to about the second century CE, has long been considered the most authoritative work on Hindu law, religion, and social mores. In this volume is contained the first critical edition of the Code, as well as an accurate and elegantly worded translation.

The Code has often been the subject of criticism as it is believed to propagate a negative and unjust attitude towards women and persons of low caste. The editor points out that it is important to understand the authentic material and words of the original before taking any position about its social value.

In a substantive introduction Patrick Olivelle explains the sources, structure, and socio-political background of the treatise. He goes on to examine its nature and purpose, as also the contradictions within it. In a major contribution to debate any study in the field, Olivelle discusses in detail his conclusion that the subtle, yet clear, structure of Manu's Code shows that it is the work of a single author. Further, on the basis of his finding that the self-references in the text, the colophons at the end of each chapter, and at very end of the work, all speak of the treatise as 'sastra', he has used the Sanskrit title Manava-Dharmasastra, rather than the more usual Manu Smrti.

This major scholarly work is based on a painstaking and systematic search of original manuscripts. The final outcome is the result of the collation of 53 manuscripts and citations by 12 authors, the study of 38 other manuscripts, and a close reading of 9 commentaries.

This volume is essential reading as well as reference material for scholars and students of Hinduism, Legal History, Ancient Indian Society. Hindu and Comparative Law, Sanskrit, and Indian philosophy.

About the Author:

Patrick Olivelle is Alma Cowden Madden Centennial Professor in Liberal Arts and Professor of Sanskrit and Indian Religions, University of Texas at Austrin. He is also US delegate for non-western religions.