Manu smriti
Let’s first understand how Hinduism literature
is structured. Hinduism literature is divide in groups, where Shrutis, which include Vedas, Upanishads, are authoritative texts, which are binding as
it is. Smritis and Shastras are written by people for a purpose, which don’t need to be always
religious. For example, assume that a king decides to make new rules for his
subjects; he can do so by creating his own shastras, so that people can follow.
In short, shastras, smrutis are not always
religious in nature, these are written by some king or Acharya, as
was thought by them, as being best rules to follow. It was very common to have multiple Dharma Shastras active at the same time, in two different kingdoms. Additionally, these documents are expected
to be revised or changed with the changing times.
Coming back to Manava-Dharmashastra ( Manusmriti), it starts with it’s own version of how world was created and then
goes on listing rules for various actors in the society. This does not provide
any linkage to Shrutis, or any
reference to how these laws are derived, these are just statements, without any
religious backing.
We actually don’t know
who and why it was made, and it was a long forgotten, until it was given
prominence by Britishers. Britishers, once got hold of it, made it a primary
document to base laws on, as they wanted to “divide-and-rule” this country.
Please note, there is no proof that any major/minor
dynasties from ancient to medieval times ever used Manusmriti, to make laws or for anything else, before Britishers. It was a
minor shastra, long forgotten, which no-one cared.
We have what are called dharma shastras
and sutras... law codes...
Sutra is like a summary book which just lists
the different ideas...
Shastras are detailed...
There are 2 kinds...
1.One for performance of Vedic Sacrifices and
2.another for rules of society...
They describe dharma... when we say shastras, we generally refer to the second
type...
They have 3 parts...
1Achara --------------Social laws
2.Vyavahara ------------Laws of a person(household laws)
3.Prayaschitta ----------Penance for breaking the laws.
Manu is one Sage who gave the laws for Hindus of the time...
He did not make them as people think, he is not the creator of law... but he
described the laws of society...
There are many such dharma sutras and shastras... practiced by people belonging
to different gotras...
The dharmashastras themselves say that , the laws
are for the time period... and that they should be changed according to time ...
But who will change them... everybody will make their own in a time like
this... so no new dharma shastras are there for the present time...
Swami Vivekananda thought of writing a new one ... but I guess for this reason
he didn't ... because everybody will come up with their own...who will control
that...
One of notable examples of moving between Varna, is Satyakama Jabala, whose story is mentioned in “Chandogya
Upanishad”, one of the primary upanishad. Satyakama was born to a Prostitute,
and was raised outside the city limits. From very young age he was very
interested in spiritual knowledge, but given that he was a son of a prostitute,
no teacher was taking him as a student. One day he saw Gautam Rishi, so he
hurriedly went to the Him and put his head on Gautama Rishi’s feet and
requested him to take as a student. Gautam Rishi asked him about his family lineage.
In response to this the Satyakama told him that he is a son of a prostitute
Jabala, and beyond that he does not know anything. Seeing that Satyakama
decided to speak truth, one of the most important quality for being a Brahmin,
knowing from past experience that it would cost him being rejected, impressed
Rishi Gautama who accepts him as a student. Satyakama went on being a great
sage by himself, and has written Jabala Upanishad, and is credited with
creating Sanyasin as a ethical way of self realization. This way nothing
stopped Satyakama to become a Brahmin, and contribute into Upanishad
Literature.
In short, Vedic Varna system, unlike today’s caste, doesn’t
stamp on one’s forehead what he/she is capable of. It is
more like everyone is born as Shudra, and
depending on capabilities and efforts, one decides what path or Varna he/she wants to take. While it is natural for a person to follow their
parents’s path, but if someone wants to do something different they could do it. If one is inclined to study vedas, shastras and other literature and
teaching it others, they would be Brahmins. If someone wants to join the government and interested in governing, he/s
he would be Kshtriya. If someone is
inclined to start/run business, they would be Varishya. Everyone else, who helps these three do their job, would be
Shudras. With this Vedic definitions, 99% of today’s Brahmins (the ones which are born in Brahmin families)
are not doing the Job of Brahmin, so they don’t qualify to be called as Brahmins. Hinduism needs us not to be proud of born-Brahmin, Kshatriya or
anything else, instead, we are expected to be proud of our abilities, hard word
and decide the varna that suites us, and if needed switch between them, as we
make progress in life”.
