The Laws of Manu: Translated with Extracts from Seven Commentaries

I. The Origin of the Manu-smṛti according to the Hindus: Discusses the traditional account of Manu as lawgiver and the mythic framework through which the text presents its authority. The Manu-smṛti based on a Dharma-sūtra of the Mānavas: Examines the hypothesis that the metrical text derives from an older Dharma-sūtra associated with the Mānava school. II. The Mānava Dharma-sūtra and the Manu-smṛti: Discusses the critical investigation of the text’s historical formation, its relationship to a possible special school of lawyers, and the reasons for conversion into a metrical Smṛti. The old and new parts of the work: Distinguishes earlier legal-religious material from later textual expansion or redaction. The sources of the additions made by the editor of the metrical version: Considers the textual and doctrinal sources behind expansions in the received text. The position of Bhṛgu’s Saṃhitā among the various metrical recensions: Discusses Bhṛgu’s role in the transmission and redaction of the text. The probable date of Bhṛgu’s Saṃhitā: Reviews the problem of dating the received recension. III. The Commentaries of Manu and Principles of Translation: Explains the role of the commentarial tradition and the translation method adopted by Bühler. The Laws of Manu: Includes sections on creation, sources of law, sacraments, initiation, studentship, householdership, marriage, daily rites, śrāddhas, livelihood, snātaka rules, lawful and forbidden food, impurity, purification, women, forest hermits, ascetics, kingship, civil and criminal law, inheritance, gambling, caste mixture, distress, gifts, sacrifices, penances, transmigration, supreme bliss, doubtful points of law, and conclusion.