The Laws of Manu (SBE Vol. 25): Translated by Various Oriental Scholars

Manu is considered to be the founder of social and moral order, inventor of sacrificial rites, and the author of legal maxims. In the present work, The Laws of Manu, as found in the famous Manusmrti, have been fully translated. These laws state good and bad qualities of human actions, according to Aryan norms, and lay down immemorial rules of conduct to be followed by the four castes. It includes the precepts for the duties of kings and the administration of justice, which form the basis of Hindu law.

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About the Author(s)

Friedrich Max Muller was a great linguist and scholar born in Germany. He began his study of Sanskrit under Prof. Brockhaus and soon chose it as his special pursuit. The East India Company commisioned him to edit the Rigveda, which resulted in the publication of six giant volumes on the subject. His publications include a Sanskrit translation of Kalidasa’s Meghaduta, History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, and Introduction to the Science of Religion. Before his death in 1900 at Oxford, he was crowned with most honours and awards a scholar could aspire for.