“TEACHINGS OF MANU”

 

Manu was a great sage and seer.  He was considered as Progenitor of Mankind.  Historically, he belongs to the second Millenium B.C.  His monumental work is Manu-smruthi.  It is a voluminous Code of Civil, Criminal and Religious Laws and Traditions pertaining to the people of BharatVarsha or India.  It is respected as great and orginal Dharma-Saastram.  Some important points dealt in this great works are following:-

1. The force of desire

न जातु कामः कामान् उपभोगेन शाम्यति । हविषा कृष्णवर्त्मेव भूय एवाभिवर्धते ॥           (2-94)

Na Jaathu Kaamah kaamaan Upabuogena saamyathi l

Havishaa krushna-varthmeva Bhooya Evaabhivardhathe ll

Desire can never be quenched by the enjoyment of desired objects.  It grows more and more by enjoyment like fire by the offerings of ghee.

Desire can be quenched only by controlling senses, but not by enjoying sensual objects.  Enjoyment leads to greed and distress.

2. The five respectable things in society

वित्तं बन्धुः वयः कर्म विद्या भवति पञ्चमी ।एतानि मान्यस्थानानि गरीयो यद्यदुत्तरम् ॥          2-136

Wealth, Relation, Age, Profession, and learning-these five are respectable things - the latter one being more respectable than the former in the sequence.

These factors (Wealth etc.) command respect naturally.  But when a clash arises between them the latter one in the sequence must be accepted as more respectable.  So Knowledge or Learning is the most respectable among all the factors.

3. The Nature of “Dharma”

धृतिः क्षमा दमः अस्तेयं शौचम् इन्द्रिय-निग्रहः। धीर्विद्या सत्यम् अक्रोधः दशकं धर्मलक्षणम् ॥    6-92

        Dhruthih kshamaa dhamah astheyam saucham indhriya-nigrahaha l

          Dheer vidhyaa sathyam akrodhaha Dasakam Dharma-lakshanam ll

Firmness, Tolerance, Self-restraint, Non-stealing, Cleanliness, Control of senses, Good understanding, High learning, Truth and Not havaing anger - these ten constitute Dharma (Righteousness).

Dharma is not an abstract idea.  It is realised through the observation of these virtues.

4. Contentment is the root cause of Happiness.

सन्तोषं परमास्थाय सुखार्थी संयतो भवेत् । सन्तोषमूलं हि सुखं दुःखमूलं विपर्ययः॥            4-12

Santhosham param aasthaaya  sukhaarthee samyatho bhaveth  l

Santhoshamoolam hi sukham Dhuhkhamoolam viparyayaha  ll

One must possess contentment along with Self-control, it he wishes to have real happiness, because contentment produces happiness and disappointment leads to distress.

Happiness and distress are nothing but contentment and discontentment respectively.