what is Manu-Smrti ?

Answer 1

Ancient law book of India written by Manu.

"No other ancient lawgiver proclaimed such noble ideals of fair play in battle as did MANU. In all her history of warfare Hindu India has few tales to tell of cities put to the sword or of the massacre of non-combatants. The ghastly sadism of the kings of Assyria, who flayed their captives alive, is completely without parallel in ancient India. To us the most striking feature of ancient Indian civilization is its humanity."

(source: The Wonder That Was India - By A L Basham p. 8 - 9).

"Whereas among other nations it is usual, in the contests of war, to ravage the soil and thus to reduce it to an uncultivated waste, among the Indians, on the contrary, by whom husbandmen are regarded as a class that is sacred and inviolable, the tillers of the soil, even when battle is raging in their neighborhood, are undisturbed by any sense of danger, for the combatants on either side in waging the conflict make carnage of each other, but allow those engaged in husbandry to remain quite unmolested. Besides, they never ravage an enemy's land with fire, nor cut down its trees."

source: A Brief History of India - By Alain Danielo

Manu devided Society in Four castes based on their perofession.
Although his idea of caste was not based on Birth, he is blamed for later currption of the system.

To be fair to Manu, He expected better code of conduct from higher castes.

If a Shudra Theif was punished with 10 coins, A vaish 20, a kshatrya 30 and Brahman 40 coin for the same crime.

That is : Higher the caste , Higher the Punishment.

Manu's idea was that they should no better.

There were many law books . Yagvalkya and Narad wrote smritis too. Manu Smriti is lost today. Whatever is known about it is by references in other books.

The books applied today are Narad Smriti in Bengal , while rest of India uses Mitakashra(1075) Written by Vgyaneshvar. Which is said to be a commentry on Yagyavalkya Smriti.
Note:

If one wants to understand the truth, the original purpose behind the caste system, one must go to antiquity to study the evolution of the caste system. The ancient culture of India was based upon a system of social diversification according to SPIRITUAL development, not by birth, but by his karma. This system became hereditary and over the course of many centuries degenerated as a result of exploitation by some priests, and other socio-economic elements of society.

However, as Alain Danielou, son of French aristocracy, author of numerous books on philosophy, religion, history and arts of India, says: "Caste system has enabled Hindu civilization to survive all invasions and to develop without revolutions or important changes, throughout more than four millennia, with a continuity that is unique in history.

I am not giving justification of the abuse of caste system. Caste system served a purpose, performed certain functions, and met the needs appropriate to the times in history. India's caste norms may once have had a rationale; but the norms are outlived today. Caste system is not stagnant and is undergoing changes under the impact of modernization. Caste system should undergo reforms in the social arena so that unjustified discrimination and abuse is eliminated.

Answer 2

Once there was a great flood on the earth, and a sage who saved a fish, was helped by the fish to save the world.

The sage later called Manu, made a boat, kept a pair of animals and some humans and for months fought the killer waves.

When new world was established, after the great destruction, Manu with his memory (smriti), wrote a book of guidelines to be followed by new generations.

The original script is burnt in Nalanda by muslim invaders, but there are numerous references

anti hindus normally quote Manu-smriti as basis of caste system, but Manu smriti tells about 4 types of humans, serving class, business class, warriors and preachers....later with the time, this system was linked to birth and caste system came into existence

Manu-smriti has many beautiful explanations about Tantra, Shakti, manifestation of God as universe etc...of which nobody speaks

Manu-smriti is not a religious book ..but a code of conduct for the society

Answer 3

officially Manava-dharma-shastra
Most authoritative of the books of the Hindu law code (Dharma-shastra).

It is attributed to the legendary first man and lawgiver, Manu. In its present form it dates from the 1st century BC. It prescribes the dharma of each Hindu, stating the obligations attached to his or her social class and stage of life. Making no distinction between religious and secular law, it deals with cosmogony, sacraments, and other religious topics as well as with marriage, hospitality, dietary restrictions, the conduct of women, and the law of kings.

Answer 4

its a sacerd book of hindus.
it contains lot about discipline.
the only flaw in the book which divides india for more than 2thousand years is the the caste system..
the caste system is based on this book

Answer 5

an ancient book on religion

Answer 6

It sounds like a "will" written document!