Social and Legal Principles According to Manu-saṁhitā
The Manu-saṁhitā is considered the original lawbook for mankind within Vedic civilization. Śrīla Prabhupāda refers to Manu as the lawgiver and the author of civic codes and religious principles. In his teachings, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that human society must follow these standard laws to maintain order, peace, and spiritual direction. The codes of Manu cover a vast array of social interactions, including the specific duties of women, the responsibilities of kings, the administration of justice, and the severe karmic consequences of sinful activities like animal killing.
Protection and Dependence of Women
Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently highlights that according to the Vedic system outlined by Manu, women require lifelong protection. He explains that the prescription against "independence" is not a suppression of rights, but a safeguard against exploitation. A woman is to be sheltered by her father, husband, or sons to ensure the purity of family life and society.
- According to Manu-samhita, a woman is never independent. She must remain the property of the father while she is not married, and she must remain the property of the husband until she is elderly and has grown-up children of her own.
- According to Manu-samhita, a woman needs a great deal of protection in order to remain pure and chaste so that her children can be fully engaged for the benefit of human society.
- According to Vedic system, there is no independent life of woman. Na stri svatantryam arhati. Manu-samhita, that "Stri" - stri means woman - "should not be allowed independence." They should be given all protection. That's a very nice system.
- A woman is supposed to be always dependent - in her childhood she is dependent on her father, in youth on her husband, and in old age on her elderly sons. According to Manu-samhita, she is never independent. Independence for a woman means miserable life.
Crime and Capital Punishment
In discussing justice, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains the metaphysical benefits of the state's punishment. According to Manu's law, when a murderer is executed by the king or government, he is absolved of the sinful reaction in his next life. Therefore, capital punishment is viewed as an act of mercy that prevents the soul from suffering in the future.
- According to Manu's law, when a person commits murder, punishment is beneficial for him because if he is not killed he might commit more and more murders and therefore be entangled in his future lives for having killed so many persons.
- The weight of a murderer's sin is very great, and therefore according to Manu-samhita a murderer must be killed.
- According to the rulings of Manu, an aggressor, even though he be a brahmana (and what to speak of an unworthy son of a brahmana), is to be killed.
Laws Regarding Animal Killing
Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that the Manu-saṁhitā defines a murderer not only as one who kills a human but also as one who kills an animal. He details the specific karmic entanglement involved in meat-eating, where eight different individuals—from the slaughterer to the consumer—are all held responsible for the violence.
- According to Manu, the author of civic codes and religious principles, even the killer of an animal is to be considered a murderer because animal food is never meant for the civilized man, whose prime duty is to prepare himself for going back to Godhead.
- According to Manu-samhita, when an animal is killed, eight persons become condemned with murdering charges.
Governance and Leadership
A legitimate government must rule according to divine law. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that any administration that deviates from the principles of Manu will ultimately fail. He also highlights specific rules of conduct for leaders, such as the prohibition against attacking innocent citizens during war and the sanctity of property belonging to a brāhmaṇa.
- If the king or dictator individually, or the members of the government collectively, cannot maintain the state or kingdom according to the rules of Manu-samhita, certainly their government will not endure.
- In the time of Maharaja Nabhi, a monarch was supposed to govern strictly according to Vedic principles under the guidance of learned brahmanas, who could advise Him according to the standard Vedic scriptures like Manu-smrti and similar sastras.
- We find in modern warfare that attacks are made upon innocent citizens who are without fault. According to the law of Manu, such warfare is a most sinful activity.
- A brahmana's property is called brahma-sva, and according to Manu's law it cannot be acquired even by the government. Both brahmanas, however, insisted that the cow was theirs and could not be taken back under any condition.
Sanctity of Marriage
The modern concept of divorce is rejected in the Vedic social structure. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that according to Manu, marriage is an indissoluble bond, and one must remain committed through both happiness and distress, ensuring that families remain intact.
- Either in distress or in happiness, there is no question of separation. Now our modern politicians, they have introduced this divorce law. Otherwise, according to Hindu, Manu-samhita, there is no divorce law.
- According to Manu-smrti, one should never desert his wife and children.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda presents the Manu-saṁhitā not merely as an ancient text, but as the practical manual for a civilized human society. Whether addressing the protection of women, the administration of justice, or the ethics of diet, the laws of Manu are designed to elevate human consciousness. Deviation from these principles leads to social chaos and spiritual entanglement, while adherence ensures protection and gradual elevation for all members of society.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category According to Manu-samhita. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.