The Manusmrti remains one of the finest embodiments of Classical Hindu law and of fundamental importance in any study on law in India. Buhler designates Manusmrti as 'Bhrigu's version of the Institutes of Sacred law proclaimed by Manu".14 Its opening verses describe how Manu, the descendent of the self¬ existent Brahmana was approached by the great sages to explain the sacred law. Buhler further explains that if the versions given by commentators like Govihdraja, Narayana and Raghavananda as well as the Kashmir copy and others MSS are accepted, “we have therefore, a triple exordium instead of a double one and Manusmrti does not contain the original words of Bhrigu but a rescension of his rescension such as it had been handed down among his
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Mm P.V. Kane was convinced that the text did not undergo any changes since the second or third century of the Christian era. However, there is some evidence of changes in its form and content before the 3rd century A.D. in the commentaries on Manusmrti and other smrti texts too. Prof. Kane believes that most authors of Dharmashastras starting with the second century A.D. gave credence to Manu's views, the Manusmrti hence, must have existed by that time.16 Most of the scholars have placed the text between 200 B.C. A.D. 200. …show more content…
Aiyangar quotes D.S. Sharma, who has made good study of Hindu scriptures as stating that rules of Dharmasastra are obsolete and "our trying to follow the laws of Manu now would be as ridiculous as if a modern Englishman tries to follow the Laws of Alfred.'26 Quite truly, several, infact the major portion of the text has no practical use for our times except that it throws a beacon light on our legal heritage. In the modern context, blind reverence been replaced by a questioning attitude. In 1927, Ambedkar ceremoniously cremated the text at Mahad in
Mm P.V. Kane was convinced that the text did not undergo any changes since the second or third century of the Christian era. However, there is some evidence of changes in its form and content before the 3rd century A.D. in the commentaries on Manusmrti and other smrti texts too. Prof. Kane believes that most authors of Dharmashastras starting with the second century A.D. gave credence to Manu's views, the Manusmrti hence, must have existed by that time.16 Most of the scholars have placed the text between 200 B.C. A.D. 200. …show more content…
Aiyangar quotes D.S. Sharma, who has made good study of Hindu scriptures as stating that rules of Dharmasastra are obsolete and "our trying to follow the laws of Manu now would be as ridiculous as if a modern Englishman tries to follow the Laws of Alfred.'26 Quite truly, several, infact the major portion of the text has no practical use for our times except that it throws a beacon light on our legal heritage. In the modern context, blind reverence been replaced by a questioning attitude. In 1927, Ambedkar ceremoniously cremated the text at Mahad in