The Manusmriti (Sanskrit मनुस्मृति), translated smriti of Manu is regarded as an important work of Hindu law and ancient Indian society. It is one of the eighteen Smritis of the Dharmasastra; and is a part of the Smriti literature. It contains laws, rules and codes of conduct to be applied by individuals, communities and nations. Some of these laws codify the Hindu caste system and discuss the "stages of life for a twice-born man". It explains itself as a discourse given by Sage Manu to rishis having begged him to enlighten them on the topic.
The Manusmriti is held with high esteem by traditional orthodox Hindus. At first glance, it appears to be a copy of various Dharma Shastra verses. Yet there is much new and original material not found in any other sanskrit text that gives it a place of importance.
The book is ascribed to Manu, according to the Hindu mythology, the forefather of all humans. The text as preserved is generally dated to ca. the 1st century CE[1]
It is one of the most controversial works of Hindu literature owing to its alleged discrimination of women and shudras (based upon western translations). Hindu scholars have however argued that the revelance or awareness of the scripture was not considerable until the British brought it into the limelight as an important Hindu scripture. It is however agreed upon that the scripture doesn't sanction support for outcastes such as Harijans or Chandaals, but bears caste discrimination of Shudras.
There are 2,031 verses (laws) of Manusmrti.
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