4. The Manusmriti Flashcards
1
Q
What is the manusmriti?
A
law book derived from God himself, on rta and dharma
2
Q
What are the 4 societal groups according to Manu?
A
- Varna
- Ashrama
- Gender
- Race (aryan or not)
Manu only cares about the Aryan society and therefore his rules only apply to them.
3
Q
What are some good view’s on varna from the Manusmriti?
A
- All varnas are from God (Purusasukta)
- Brahmanas are only there by virtue of the responsibility
- most modern civilisations answer to money or power, but Manu says knowledge (brahmanas).
- no soul is eternally a sudra or a lower caste…rotten brahmanas drop like flies and the pious sudras can rise like a phoenix
4
Q
What are some bad views on varna according to the Manusmriti?
A
- Sudras can go up the ladder and must wait for the next birth to be Brahmanas.
- Manu says you get your varna from birth
- higher varnas can atone sins easier, but a sudra must wait a lifetime.
- Only for Aryans
5
Q
What are Manu’s good views on women?
A
- no difference between the goddess of fortune and your wife.
- teacher<father<mother
- A wife is the source of her husband’s artha, kama and dharma - creates either hell or heaven
- when a woman is dishonoured, then destruction awaits.
6
Q
What are the bad views on women form the Manusmriti?
A
- father, brother, and son must always protect her
- if she serves her husband, then the attains heaven
- not fit for independence
- domestic roles define a woman
- must serve her husband like God
7
Q
What are the reasons for the contested status of the Manusmriti?
A
- no one turns to it, apart from for Hindu bashing
- more liberal dharma sastras such as the Daksha smriti and Vishnu smriti
- we are not the body, but the soul
4.
8
Q
What is the impact of the Manusmriti on Hindus today?
A
- VUED from the Purusasukta
- Racist
- Manu does insist on sadharna and sanatana dharma
9
Q
How should the Manusmriti be used?
A
- Manu says you must use with other sources of authority
- we are the atman, not the body
