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Description
A Critical Edition and Translation of the Manava-Dharmasastra Manu's Code of Law, which dates back to about the second century CE, has long been considered the most authoritative work on Hindu law, religion, and social mores. In this volume is contained the first critical edition of the Code, as well as an accurate and elegantly worded translation.
The Code has often been the subject of criticism as it is believed to propagate a negative and unjust attitude towards women and persons of low caste. The editor points out that it is important to understand the authentic material and words of the original before taking any position about its social value.
In a substantive introduction Patrick Olivelle explains the sources, structure, and sociopolitical background of the treatise. He goes on to examine its nature and purpose, as also the contradictions within it. In a major contribution to debate and study in the field, Olivelle discusses in detail his conclusion that the subtle, yet clear, structure of Manu's Code shows that it is the work of a single author. Further, on the basis of his finding that the self-references in the text, the colophons at the end of each chapter, and at the very end of the work, all speak of the treatise as 'sastra', he has used the Sanskrit title Manava-Dharmasastra, rather than the more usual Manu Smrti.
This major scholarly work is based on a painstaking and systematic search of original manuscripts. The final outcome is the result of the collation of 53 manuscripts and citations by 12 authors, the study of 38 other manuscripts, and a close reading of 9 commentaries.
This volume is essential reading as well as reference material for scholars and students of Hinduism, Legal History, Ancient Indian Society, Hindu and Comparative Law, Sanskrit, and Indian Philosophy.
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Contents
Introduction
I. Authorship and Composition
II. Sources of Manu: The Traditions of dharma and artha
III. The Work of Redactors
IV. Nature and Purpose of the Treatise
V. Manu and the later dharma Tradition
Note on the Translation
    Translation
    Editor's Outline
    Chapter 1
    Chapter 2
    Chapter 3
    Chapter 4
    Chapter 5
    Chapter 6
    Chapter 7
    Chapter 8
    Chapter 9
    Chapter 10
    Chapter 11
    Chapter 12
Notes to the Translation
    Critical Edition
    Introduction to the Critical Edition
    I. Editorial History and the Need for a Critical Edition
    II. Sources for the Critical Edition
    III. Genealogy of Manuscripts
    IV. Constitution of the Texts
Note on the Critical Edition
    Chapter 1
    Chapter 2
    Chapter 3
    Chapter 4
    Chapter 5
    Chapter 6
    Chapter 7
    Chapter 8
    Chapter 9
    Chapter 10
    Chapter 11
    Chapter 12
Notes to the Critical Edition
Appendices
    Appendix I: Fauna and Flora
    Appendix II: Names of Gods, People, and Places
    Appendix HI: Ritual Vocabulary
    Appendix IV: Weights, Measures, and Currency
Bibliography
Dharmasastric Parallels
Pada Index
Index to the Translation
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Author Details
Patrick Olivelle is Alma Cowden Madden Centennial Professor in Liberal Arts and Professor of Sanskrit and Indian Religions, University of Texas at Austin. He is also US delegate for non-western religions.
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