What is written for women in Manusmriti, on which there is controversy

Manusmriti Controversy about Women: Many times a war of debate and controversy has started on Manusmriti regarding the rights of women and caste. Manusmriti was burnt by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Because it talked about taking away the rights of Dalits and the underprivileged along with women.

There are many questions regarding the controversies on Manusmriti. But the real question is that what is Manusmriti or Manuvad and what is written in it regarding women, about which there is controversy. Let’s know about it-

What is Manusmriti?

Whenever we hear the word Manusmriti, a question arises in our mind that what is Manusmriti, on which controversies keep arising. Manusmriti is an ancient theology of Hinduism. This is the first of many scriptures written in Sanskrit, which was translated into English in 1776. There are total 12 chapters and 2684 verses in Manusmriti. However, in some versions the number of shlokas is said to be 2964.

Maharishi Manu is considered the first spokesperson of the human constitution and the original ruler. Because of being the children of Manu, humans were called Manav or Manush. That is, all human beings are the children of Manu and among all the creatures of the universe, man is the only creature who has the power of thought. The arrangements that Manu has given in Manusmriti for running the society are called Manuwad. On the basis of Manusmriti, Maharishi Yajnavalkya later created the theology, which is called Yajnavalkya Smriti.

What is written about women in Manusmriti

“A girl must always be under the protection of her father, after marriage she must be protected by her husband, after the death of her husband she must be at the mercy of her children. But in no case can a woman be free.”

This thing has been written in the 148th verse of the fifth chapter of Manusmriti. Apart from this, there are many such verses about Dalits and women in Manusmriti, which often give rise to controversies.

Controversy over what things are written for women in Manusmriti?

• ‘Women’s fondness for men, women’s changeable mind and natural heartlessness can make them unfaithful to their husbands. In such a situation, they should be kept very carefully or under a lot of supervision. (15th rule of Manusmriti)
• It is the nature of women to excite and seduce men. In such a situation, sensible people remain careful around women and at the same time work with their senses. (2nd chapter of Manusmriti)
• ‘When Brahmins are eating, they should not even look at any pig, chicken, dog or eunuch or a woman who is in Rajaswala (periods).’ (Chapter 3)
• One should not marry a woman whose hair and eyes are red, who has extra organs, whose health is often bad, who has no or less hair. Along with constellation, tree, river, mountain, bird, snake, slave or terror-filled name of a woman whose name is indicative of its meaning or a woman who is of low caste. (Chapter 3)
• A wise man should not marry a girl who has no brother or whose father is not known, i.e. no one knows whose girl she is, fearing the daughter’s religion. (eleventh verse)

support of manuvad

• On the one hand, there is opposition and controversy regarding this. At the same time, there are many people who support Manuvad.
• Sanatan Sanstha supports Manusmriti.
• Historian Narhar Kurundkar also supports Manusmriti.
• Shankaracharya and other religious leaders have also talked about giving respect to Manusmriti like other Vedas.
• On the other hand, its modern supporters say that, if some parts of it are left out, then Manusmriti only talks about the welfare of the society.
• There is also a statue of him in the High Court of Rajasthan, which was installed by the Jaipur Bar Association.

What is there in the 12th chapter of Manusmriti?

• First Chapter: Topics like creation of nature, four yugas, four varnas, their profession and greatness of Brahmins etc. are included.
• lesson Two: It is based on celibacy and service to the master.
• Third Chapter: Types of dispute, customs and Shradh are described.
• Chapter Four: There is mention of 21 types of hell including the duties of householder religion, rules of eating and not eating.
• Fifth Chapter: There is mention about the duty of women, purity and impurity etc.
• Sixth Chapter: A saint has been told.
• Seventh Chapter: The duties of the king have been told.
• Eighth Chapter: Crime, justice, promise and political matters etc. have been told.
• Ninth Chapter: Ancestral property has been described.
• Tenth Chapter: Talks about a mixture of characters.
• Eleventh Chapter: It has been told about sinful deeds.
• Chapter XII: Contains praise of the three qualities and the Vedas.

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