Ayurvedic Laws of Manu

When considering the right of Ancient India, the Laws of Manu are the first thing they pay attention to. This collection is the most famous and accessible to the public a monument of ancient Indian legal culture. He enjoyed authority both in antiquity and in the Middle Ages. According to the traditions of the Hindus, its author is the ancestor of people - Manu.

History of creation

Actually, the Laws of Manu are not so ancient. Throughout 6-5 centuries BC in India, there were all new large states with a slave system. The powers developed, changes occurred both in ideology and in tribal institutions. And the usual oral law, which existed before, could no longer correspond to the level of development of states, could not satisfy their needs. Then there were Dharmasutras - collections of written rules that were based on the Vedas. The first mention of Dharmasutra Manu dates back to the 9th century BC. Modern researchers came to the conclusion that the Laws of Manu, such as they came to us, were formed in the 2nd century BC. Moreover, according to the prominent Sanskritologist G. Buhler, a certain dharmasutra i, which was the basis of the collection, has not survived to our time.

Ayurvedic Laws of Manu

The text of the Laws of Manu is twelve chapters. The collection consists of 2685 articles, which represent a couplet. Only chapters VIII and IX contain directly legal norms, while others explain the caste system of Ancient India. She is here in the foreground. According to the Laws of Manu, in Ancient India there was a socially-divided division of society. People are divided into brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaishas, sudras and untouchables.

Laws Manu have a certain logic of presentation of the material, but the division of the right to the industry does not yet provide. Also, the norms of law in the collection are very closely intertwined with religious postulates.

In the Laws much attention is paid to the protection of ownership of movable property. So, here there are norms regulating the contract of donation, purchase and sale, loan and others. Guarantees for the performance of obligations are also provided - pledge and surety. The loan agreement has already been developed in detail, but still it is not legally literate. This fact indicates a high level and flourishing of usury.

The laws of Manu despise hired labor and support slavery. As for family relations, here the woman is in a subordinate position, polygamy is allowed and the mixture of varnas is forbidden.

Dharmasutra were, rather, a set of rules, teachings and recommendations, rather than the current legislation. In such a collection, as the Laws of Manu, there is a rather interesting basis and philosophical meaning. Many of the recommendations became the basic rules used in studying the tactics of warfare and in developing strategies. For example, the duties of the ruler, according to the Laws of Manu, included being brave in battle, always protecting their subjects, being ready for war every day. Also, the king had to hide his secrets, but be able to find out the weaknesses of enemies.