In the Indian tradition, the most ancient Smriti has been created by Prajapati Manu. It is the oldest and authentic text of Human Theology. Many directives of the Manu Smriti can be seen in the great epic Mahabharat also compilation of which began in the Dwapar Yuga. Manu Smriti contains about 2600 shlokas in the 12 chapters.

The main contents of the 12 chapters speak about the different ways in which a human can get happiness.
The contents are-
1) The genesis of the universe.
2) Procedures of performing ceremonies, the methods of fulfilling vows.
3) Holy baths, sexual life, performing marriages, Mahayagya (religious sacrifices), method of pacifying deceased ancestors etc.
4) Regular ablutions and routines, Sutak Vrata.
5) Edible and non-edible things, cleanliness, impurity, the duty of the wife.
6) Vanaprastha, liberation, Dettachment.
7) The duty of Royal people.
8) The relegation of duty.
9) The duty of women and men, the duty of departments, the annihilation of the wicked,etc.
10) The narrow, parochial castes, the duty in emergency.
11)Repentance.

The objective of the universe, actions, the merits and defects coveted to deeds, place and castes, the duty of the clan and liberation.

This Smriti which is said to be created in the Satya Yuga, speaks about the genesis of the universe and humans, the four Ashrams (attainments) and the duties assigned to everyone, politics, public administration and the penal code. The constitution of the witnesses is also discussed. The duty and the protection of women, the significance of repentance and the fruits of various actions are the other topics discussed.

Manu Smriti is the first legal text of human civilization which till date has the ability to guide and direct the society. Maharshi Manu has said that every statement of the Smriti is like a statement of the Vedas.

Meaning: All the duties mentioned by Manu can be found in the Vedas as it is embellished by all forms of knowledge.

The Manu Smriti discusses the genesis and evolution of human civilization from the Vedic age, the cultural foundation, the allegiance which was all influenced by the place, time and situation.

The Manu Smriti is the religious text of the Satya Yuga. On the persuasion of the Maharashis (sages), the brain child of Brahma, Prajapati Manu created this text. The first chapter of this text speaks about the creation of water due to the divine powers of God and subsequently the creation of such energy from which the earth took birth. After this the gods, the Yakshas, Gandharvas and humans took birth.

1. 
   
   
   
     (19/39)
   
   
   

   
   
   

2. 
   
   
   AETADDESHPRASUTASYA SAKARHAASAGRAJANMANAHA ||
   SWAM SWAM CHARITRAM VIKSHERAN PRITHIVYAAM SARNAMANAAVAAHAA ||

   Meaning: All should imbibe the values of life and the instructions for sublime living from the Brahmin staying in his company. This statement of Vedas is adhered to by the people till date. Although people from other communities also have entered in the teaching profession, but for proper sublime education, people still approach a good Brahmin, as they did in the Satyayuga.

3. THE DUTIES DELEGATED TO THE DIFFERENT CASTES
   
   The Smriti says-
   
   ADHYAAPANAMADHYAYANAM YAJANAM YAAJANAM TATHAA ||
   DAANAM PRATIGRAHAN CHAIVA BRAHMANAANAM AKAL PAYATA ||    (1/88)

   Meaning: The duties of the Brahmins are learning and teaching, performing religious sacrifices and getting them performed, taking and giving donations etc.
   
   Brahmins follow this instruction of Manu till date. It is worth stating that with the advent of the fourth era considerable changes have taken place in the society in the purview of the work due to which people are also doing work they are not eligible for.
   
   a )  THE DUTIES OF KSHATRIYAS-
   
   PRAJAANAM RAKSHANAM DAANAM ||
   IJYA ADHYAYAN MEVA CHA ||
   VISHAYESHVA PRASAKTISHCHA KSHATRIYASYA SAMADI SHATAHA ||

   (1/89)

   Meaning:The duties assigned to Kshatriyas are protection of the common men, to donate, to perform religious sacrifices, to recite the Vedas, to abstain from all forms of addiction etc. This code of conduct is followed till date but with a few exceptions by those who are inferior and disinclined.
   
   b ) THE DUTIES ASSINGED TO THE VAISHYAS-
   
   PASHUNAM RAKSHANAM DAANAM ||
   IJYA ADHYAYANA MEVA CHA ||
   VINAKAPATHAM KUSHIDANCHA VAISHYASYA KRISHIMEVA CHA||    (11/90)
   
   
   Meaning- The duties assigned to Vaishya are protection of animals, donation, religious sacrifices, study, business, trade, money lending and agriculture.
   The Vaishya caste now takes care of maximum duties assigned in the Satyayuga in the Kaliyuga itself. With the advent of new era, slight changes in the patterns of lifestyle and duties have taken place.
   
   c ) THE DUTIES ASSINGED TO THE SHUDRAS-
   
   EKMEVA TU SHUDRASYA PRABHU KARMMA SAMAADISHATA ||
   AETESHAAMEVA VARNAANAAM SUSHRUSHA MANASUYAYAA ||  (1/91)
   
   Meaning: The duties assigned to Shudras are -to serve others with benevolence and good will.
   
   
   
   According to Manu, the seven ways in which one can scrupulously earn money are: inheritence of wealth from ancestors, wealth from a treasury, agriculture and trade, lending money, giving donations and by winning. The ten avocations, which are useful to life, are teaching, service, employment, agriculture, sculpture, salaried job, contention, taking care of cows, money lending and begging.
   
   Although money got from donation, religious sacrifices and teaching ultimately leads to hell. But the Brahmin can engage in these things as the Brahmin is pure as water and Agni (fire).
   
   The sins begotten from religious sacrifices and teaching are eliminated by name recitation and Homa. The sin begotten by receiving donation can be washed away by renunciation of the thing received and penance.
   
   
   
   PRATIGRAHACHCHILAHA SHREYANSTATO APYUNCHAHA PRASHASYA TE ||
     (10/112)
   It is preferable to collect the produce from the harvested field or to collect the remaining grains from the harvested field than to accept donations.
   
   Without Dakshina, no Yagya is complete, that is why in every ceremony a Dakshina (a fee) is given. Only a pure donation is worth accepting.
   
   In this light Acharya Manu has also discussed related concepts of sin and virtue. According to him, the highest form of duty is to adhere to the commandments of the Smritis and Shrutis as this is the thing that shall lead to the well being of one and all.
   
   
4. THE QUADRUPED DHARMA
   
   Mahamuni Manu says that initially the religion had four legs, which eloped one by one because of it being subjected to natural changes and limitations of human beings.
   
   TAPAHA PARAM KRITYUGE TRETAYAAMA GYANACHYUTE ||
   DWAPARE YAGYAMEVAAHUURDANAMEKAM KALAO YUGE ||    (1/86)
   
   Meaning: The things predominant in the Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga and Kali Yuga are penance, the significance and the glory of knowledge, the religious sacrifice (yagya) and donation respectively.
   
   Dharma is the quintessence of human birth. It is only by this that a human can engage in enjoying material things. It is only Dharma that can help us to cross the ocean of material things. Even though situations and society has undergone tremendous change and vicissitudes, the significance of Smriti remains undiminished.
   
   Unlike other Smritis, the Manu Smriti does not only speak about celibacy, Panchyagya, untouchability but also seeks its practical and utilitarian uses for social welfare.
   
   DONATION: Rishiraj Manu opines that donation of anything is good and auspicious but donation of knowledge is the noblest. He has clearly stated that donations should be given and taken by the right person on the transgression of which is harmful and dangerous.
   
   SUPAATRE DAANAM KURYAATA ||
   
   We should possibly stay away from accepting donations as it attenuates divinity. Moreover that Brahmin ends up at the Isles of nothing who is devoid of penance and contemplation along with the donor. It is worth noticing that the donation is worth observing as a religious deed. It is the duty of humans to benevolently donate and the duty of the recipient is to engage in enjoying the things donated with a pure heart.
   
   
5. DEEDS AND DUTIES OF HUMANS:
   
   The human body is of great importance as it facilitates a human to engage in good deeds and as a result of which he attains Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, the highest attainments of human life.
   
   NARATVAM DURLADHAM LOKE VIDYAA TATRA SUDURLABHAHAA ||
   
   Meaning: It is difficult to attain a human body on earth, but it is all the more difficult to acquire knowledge. Hence the ultimate duty of human beings is to attain god-hood.
   
   BHUTAANAAM PRAANINAHA SHRESHTHAHAA PRANINAM BUDDHIJIVINAHA ||
   BUDHIMATSU NARAHA SHRESHTHAHAA NARESHU BRAHMANA SMRITAHA ||
   
   Meaning: Amongst all the living beings, humans are the most superior and amongst all humans the knowledgeable and intelligent ones are the most superior.
   
   
6. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CONDUCT
   
   The righteous conduct holds tremendous importance for humans. Manu tells Brahmins that they should never transgress the righteous conduct.
   
   AACHAARADWICHYUTO VIPRO NA VEDA PHALA MASHNUTE ||
   AACHAREENA TU SAMYUKTAHA SAMPURNA PHALA PHAGBHAVETA ||   (1/109)
   
   Meaning: A Brahmin who is disinclined from righteous conduct does not beget fruits of the Vedic deeds. On the contrary, he who performs his daily work regularly begets all the fruits.
   
   AEVAM AACHAARATO DRISHTVAA DHARMASYA MUNAYO GATIM ||
   SARVASYA TAPASO MULAM AACHARAM JAGRUHU PARAM ||
   
   Meaning: Seeing the state of Dharma in accordance with the conduct of the sages, it can be inferred that the foundation of all penance is conduct.
   
   ANYE KRITYUGE DHARMASTRETAAYAAMA DWAPARE APARE ||
   ANYE KALIYUGE NRINAAMA YUGA HRAASANURUPATAHA || (1/85)
   
   Meaning: The Satya Yuga, the Treta, the Dwapar and Kali Yuga are embellished by the other Dharma, the different Dharma, second Dharma and separate Dharma respectively. To put in a paraphrase with the change in society and decadence of era, the Dharma or duties of human also decay.
   
   Manu here hints towards natural changes. At different times humans are gifted different duties and Dharmas. To maintain the cycle of life at a set pace is the ultimate duty of a superior Brahmin.
   
   Today?s Brahmins are busy in their respective duties according to one?s mental and physical capabilities and are engaged in maintaining the piety amongst the other castes (varnas). The Smritis warn us that one era proceeds the other, at the end of an era, annihilation and re-instate or genesis follow.
   
   MANVANTARANYAA ASANKHYAANI SARGAHA SAMHAR ||
   AEVA CHA ||
   KRIDANNVAITATA KURUTE PARAMESHTHI PUNAHA PUNAHA ||
   
   Meaning: The Manvantara (61 eras of God), the universe and dissolution are countless. The supreme God repeats His play all the time. Even the Srimad Geeta says-
   
   YADAA YADAA HI DHARMASYA GLANIR BHAATI BHAARATAHA ||
   ABHYUTHAANAM ADHARMASYA TADATMANAM SRIJAMYAHAM ||
   
   Meaning: O Arjuna! Whenever Dharma (righteousness) shall attenuate and Adharma (evil) shall increase at that time I shall incarnate.
   
   PARITRAANAAYA SAADHUMAAMA VINAASHAA YASHCHA DUCHKRITAM ||
   DHARMA SANSTHAPANARTHYAAYA SAMBHAVAAMI YUGE YUGE ||
   
   For the protection of the good, for the annihilation of the wicked and for the re-instatement of righteousness I shall incarnate in every era.
   Manu thus instructs that rise in unrighteousness final accrues in final dissolution and the human society is responsible for the same. Manu Smriti speaks the following thing about the attenuation of righteousness.
   
   CHATUSHPATSKALO DHARMAHA SATYAM CHAIVA KRITE YUGE ||
   NA ADHARMENAAGAMAHA KASHCHINA MANUSHYANPRATI VARTATE ||
   
   Meaning: All the four legs of Dharma were present during the Krita Yuga. Truth always prevaled at that time. No human acted unrighteous against anyone.
   
   Manu thus says- ITERESHVAGAMA ADHARMAHA PAADA-SH-STVAROPITA CHAORIKANRITAMAAYAABHI DHARMACHAAPAITI PAADASHAHA ||   (1/81).
   
   Meaning: Dharma is attenuated by unscrupulously earning wealth and knowledge in all the eras other than Satya Yuga. One leg of righteousness ceases to exist due to bad deeds such as larceny, lying and cheating.
   
   AAROGAAHAA SARVA SIDDHARTHAAHA CHATURVARSHA SHATAAYUSHAHA ||
   KRITE TRETAADISHU HYESHAAM AAYURHAHRASATI PADADHAHA ||
   
   Meaning: In the Satya Yuga, people would engage in pious and religious activities and good conduct. As a result a human being would beget all his desires fulfilled and would live up to four hundred years. Due to subsequent attenuation of righteousness, one leg of Dharma ceased to exist and nearly a hundred years of life expectancy reduced.
   
   A Karma Yogi should utilize every moment of his life in selfless actions and abstain from frustration. He should remember the past and should incept work in the present in order to make the future brighter. We should audaciously face all the hurdles and obstacles of life fearlessly.
   
   Even Lord Shri Krishna has told people to engage in good deeds-
   
   KARMANYEVADHIKAR ASTE MAA PHALESHU KADAACHANA ||    (GITA)
   
   ?O Partha!- you have right to action only so take up action and not attach yourself to the fruits?.
   
   It is on the basis of this education that humans have been treading on the path of Karma since the times immemorial. Manu has instructed people to be conscious aboout their actions and deeds. Humans should selflessly engage in deeds without thinking of happiness.
   
   Humans engage in enjoying on the basis of destiny and perseverance. All humans desire happiness and progress. So according to the instructions of the Manu Smriti human should continually engage in good deeds. The path of evil will fetch misery and eternal sorrow.

The second chapter discusses the procedure and methods of observing vows and performing ceremonies. The existence of life depends on these two things. Ceremonies make a human pure while vows make them prosperous. Success of life depends on purity and religious prosperity.

1. CEREMONIES
   
   All those religious deeds, which are executed under the supervision and guidance of scholars are ceremonies. Such scholars, however, should be devoid of desires and hostility. All humans right from the Himalayas to the western costs have been protecting their culture and civilization on the basis of these ceremonies.
   
   
   
   
      (12/11)
   
   
   
   According to Manu, during gestation period, performance of ceremonies such as Havan (religious sacrifice), the defects of the foetus can be eliminated. The human body can be purified with ceremonies like Jatakarma, Chudakarma and Upanayana.
   
   Manu has instructed the people that it is important to carry out Jatakarma of the new-borne baby before cutting the umbilical cord. After that the child is given honey, ghee amidst Vedic mantras.
   
   The naming ceremony should be carried out on the tenth or the twelfth day, according to the auspicious time.
   
   Acharya Manu has suggested that the girl child should be given a name easy to pronounce, beautiful and denoter of blessings.
   
   Four months after the birth, the Nishkramana ceremony takes place when the child is brought out of the house into open environment. Feeding of the child with cooked food begins with the Annaprashana ceremony.
   
   According to Manu the ?Mundan? ceremony of the child should be performed in the first year or the third year. Manu?s statement for Upanayana Sanskara (thread ceremony) is as follows-
   
   GARBHASHTAMEY ABDEY KUREET BRAHMANOPANAYANAM ||
   GARBHADEKAADASHETY RAGYO GARBHATTU DWADASHE VISHAHA ||   (2/36)
   
   Meaning: The thread ceremony of the Brahmins, Kshatriya and Vaishya boys should be executed by the 8th and 11th year respectively. Rishi Manu has determined the minimum and maximum age limit for execution of thread ceremony of the Brahmin boy desirous of radiance of Brahma, of the Kshatriya boy desirous of strength and of the Vaishya boy desirous of wealth as 5th, 6th and 8th years respectively.
   
   The Smritis give a bit of leniency with regard to the age at which the thread ceremony can be performed. Manu has fixed the maximum age limit for execution of thread ceremony as 16th, 20th, 24th years for the Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya boy respectively. During the thread ceeremony, they should be hence given the Savitri Mantra for recitation. Manu has set strict provisions that those Brahmins, whose thread ceremony is not performed with the stipulated time frame, should be expelled from community and that they should not be entertained even in the state of emergency .
   
   
2. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MATRU BHIKSHA
   
   Manu has stated a number of methods and procedures for observing vows. There is a custom of begging for alms in the period of practicing celibacy. Manu has stated that begging for alms should begin from home so that one doesn?t initially face insult and contempt and that the path in the future may be peaceful and devoid of impediments.
   
   MAATAARAM VA SWASAARAM VAA MATURVA BHAGINIM NIJAAMA ||
   BHIKSHETA BHIKSHAAMA PRATHAMAM YAA CHAINAM NAAVAMANAYETA ||  (2/50)
   
   Meaning: So as not to be insulted initially we should beg for alms from the mother, the aunt or from sister. All these ceremonies are executed till date in our society. Custom of expelling a person just because he has not undergone his thread ceremony, has weakened over time. But in our society, even till date, the thread ceremony is an essential condition for marriage. In some communities, execution of thread ceremony is allowed even after marriage. With the elimination of Gurukul system, custom of begging for alms by the Brahmachari has also been eliminated.
   
   
3. THE METHOD OF PARTAKING FOOD
   
   All people first thank goddess Bhagwati, Saraswati and then happily partake food. During meals all worries are kept aside and other miscellaneous topics are discussed. Manu instructs that we should offer the food we get first to the gods and then partake it.
   
   PUJITAM HYASHANAM NITYAM BALAMURJAM CHA YACHCHATI ||
   APUJITAM TU TADBHUKTAM UBHAYAM NASHAYEDIDAM ||
   
   Meaning: Food must be respected because it is a bestower of radiance and strength. But when disrespect is shown towards food it destroys both. Food taken with happiness helps one to resist diseases and ailments.
   
   
4. PROHIBITION TO TAKE LEFTOVER FOOD
   
   Acharya Manu was a rationalist. He has instructed all never to partake leftover food.
   
   
   NA UCHISHTAM KASYA CHID DADYANNA DYACCHAIVA TATHAANTARA ||
   
   Meaning- Do not give anyone leftover and defiled food and do not partake anyone?s leftover and defiled food.
   
   Partaking leftover food reduces and attenuates one?s moral growth. If the person who leaves food is not that pious and if we partake the leftover food, his unrighteousness seeps into us. Again if he is ailing there is a danger of contacting his ailment through his leftover food. In nay case, the person is burdened with sins who partakes or gives leftover food.
   
   But this custom is not applicable for the wife. By partaking her husband?s food, the religious strength of the husband enters the wife and helps her in maintaining fidelity towards her husband. By having such a faithful wife, the husband also is bestowed with good health, piety and a healthy mind.
   
   Women can also partake their children?s leftover food. Sometimes two or three women eat from one plate. It is also absolutely wrong and inappropriate practice.
   
   
5. PLACES OF PILGRIMAGE ON HAND
   
   
   
   ANGUSHTAMULASYA TALEY BRAHMAM TIRTHAM PRACHAS SHATEE ||
   KAYAM ANGULIMULEY AGREY DAIVAM PRITRAYM TAYORDHAHA ||   (2/58)
   
   Meaning- Just below the base of the thumb and below the base of the small finger lies the Brahma Tirtha and Prajapati Tirtha respectively. In the first phalange of the fingers and near the thumb and in between the thumb and index finger lies the Deva Tirtha and Pitar Tirth respectively.
   
   
6. VEDIC CEREMONY FOR WOMEN
   
   Acharya Manu has clearly stated the Vedic ceremony to be executed for women-
   
   VAIVAAHIKO VIDHIHI STRINAAMA SANSKAARO VAIDIKAHA SMRITAHA ||
   PATISEVA GURAO VAASO GRIHARTHO AGNI PARIKRIYA ||  (2/67)
   
   Meaning- Marriage is the Vedic ceremony to be executed for a woman. The service towards husband is like the company of a Guru and cooking food is like the daily religious sacrifice performed. Even today, women adhere to this dictate and put their heart and soul to serve their husband and family. Today many a woman are inclined towards study of Vedas but they do so only after completing their household chores.
   
   
7. THE INCEPTION OF THE LEARNING OF VEDAS
   
   Manu believes that the thread ceremony speaks of the good virtues accumulated by the Dwijas. It also evinces the action to be performed in the present birth. That is why Manu has instructed the principal teachers to teach all the students coming to the Gurukul things related to cleanliness, conduct, religious sacrifice, Sandhya, Upasana etc.
   
   Manu has instructed all the celibate people to touch the feet of the Guru before and after recitation of the Vedic mantras. The disciple should shun all laziness and should be alert whilst studying in the company of the Guru. Name recitation is very helpful in improving concentration power. Manu has considered name recitation more beneficial than mere rituals.
   
   
8. CONTROL OF SENSES:
   
   Manu has instructed to control all the sense organs i.e. eyes, nose, skin, tongue and ears, the motor organs i.e. rectum, penis, hands, legs and speech and the mindthe driver of all the other organs. Desire breeds desire just as ghee activates the fire. So one should learn to subdue desire by contention.
   
   By controlling all senses, the person gets free from all the worries. By surrendering to the senses the body becomes enslaved and the mind also is initiated. That is why in order to attain the four attainments (Purshastra) one should seek recourse to Yoga Sadhana.
   
   
9. IMPORTANCE OF SANDHYA
   
   Manu Muni opines that regular recitation of Vedic Mantras, religious sacrifice, recitation of names of God can be done at other time as it is not appropriate to overlook or neglect Nitya karma. Overlooking Nitya karma (ablutions) is like Brahmayata in which the Vedadhyaya is the oblation offered.
   
   By performing Sandhya in the morning, a person can wash away sins performed at night and by performing Sandhya in the evening a person can wash away all sins performed in the morning. Sandhya Vandan. This ceremony is practiced by many people till date.
   
   
10. STATEMENT DENOTING GREETINGS
    
    Manu states that by serving the elderly people one can beget a long life, good health, success and strength.
    
    We should also learn to respect aged people. When elderly people come before us, we should greet them and stand up in their respect. There is a scientific rationale for this. When elderly people come before us, the slight trepidation i.e. the prana Vayu (vital breath) becomes straight and comes back to its original position.
    
    
    
    
    
    VITTAM BANDHURVAYAHA KARMA ||
    VIDYA BHAVATI PANCHAMI ||
    AEETAANI MAANYASTHAANAANI GARIYO YADYAT UTTARAM ||  (2/136)
    
    Meaning: The five things are- wealth, friends, age, deeds and knowledge. Amongst these things the first one is inferior to the second subsequently. According to Manu, that person who possesses the maximum number of merits amongst the aforesaid ones is the most respectable and honourable.
    
    But in the present scenario, it is in the best interest of the people not to have pride on their qualities and neither should the common people have any malevolence against others.