The Social Philosophy of Manu: A Critical Study

The present work entitled : ‘The Social Philosophy of Manu : A Critical Study’ is the result of intensive study on some important aspects of the social philosophy of Manu as embedded in his pioneering work- ‘Manvadharmasastra’. An effort has been made to raise some problems in connection with various social affairs like the status of woman in the society, the philosophical implication of the caste system (Varnavyavastha), the status of a ruler, the importance of the penal code in our society, other social disease etc. A systematic study is undertaken to highlight all of them to have a glimpse of these social aspects along with some controversial remarks on woman and other social policies. I have tried to defend Manu’s position following the commentaries of Medhatithi and Kulluka. These remarks are not always to be taken in a literal sense. Some of the remarks on woman and other social evils leveled as derogatory—can go in favour of the honour of the ladies and other evils if proper interpretation of them is given carefully the line of different commentators and my independent reasoning.