The Laws of Manu  (English, Paperback, unknown)

The Laws of Manu is the English translation of the Manusmriti, ancient edicts of Hindu society, by Wendy Doniger.

Summary of the Book

Long ago, the Lawmaker Manu, the first king of the earth, set down several laws for society to function properly. He was considered to be a wise and knowing man, endowed with wisdom. Popular tradition has it that all mankind are his descendants, and that is why the Sanskrit word for men is Manava, “those who have come from Manu”. These laws are considered to be the guidelines for human society, meant to help men understand how the gods want them to behave. In one thousand chapters on law, polity, and pleasure, Manu laid down the wisdom he received from Brahma, the Creator. He taught these laws to his students, and among them was one of the Brahma Rishis, Bhrigu. And Bhrigu put down these laws in the form of the ancient body of texts called the Manusmriti. In this book one can find sections on everything from the creation to how men must behave according to their caste. It lays down the rules for each class of human being, and lays the foundation of what has now come to be called the Hindu Caste System. In these chapters, Manu gives guidance on how kings must act towards their subordinates, and what are the responsibilities of the civilians towards their rulers. The book is a must read for all who wish to understand how Hindu society evolved and the rules which have shaped its framework.

About Wendy Doniger

Wendy Doniger O'Flaherty is an American Indologist and writer. Some of her major works are: Hindu Myths: A Sourcebook, The Origins of Evil in Hindu Mythology, The Rig Veda: An Anthology, 108 Hymns Translated from the Sanskrit and Harsha’s Priyadarsika and Ratnavali.

A graduate of Oxford University, where she obtained her D.Phil, she currently holds the Mircea Eliade Distinguished Service Professor Chair in History of Religions at the University of Chicago.