: The verse identifies six groups deemed disruptive:
Verse 225 of Chapter 9 specifically targets social stability. It outlines the king's duty to banish specific categories of disruptive individuals from the city to protect virtuous citizens.
The power of this directive is captured in its original Sanskrit and unequivocal English translation:
Individuals who display persistent malevolence or violent tendencies toward others. Heretical Sects ( Pāṣaṇḍas manusmriti chapter 9 verse 225
In the 21st century, this verse is frequently cited by critics of the Manusmriti as "proof" that Hinduism sanctions the sale of women. Social reformers like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar—who publicly burned the Manusmriti in 1927—pointed to verses like 9.225 as emblematic of a system that treated women as property.
Manusmriti Chapter 9, Verse 225, is a legal injunction concerning the maintenance of social order within a kingdom. It prescribes the immediate banishment of individuals who engage in activities deemed subversive or morally corrupting to the "town" or state Wisdom Library Sanskrit Text & Translation
1. The Ideal of a Harmonious State ( Ramrajya / Dharmic State ) : The verse identifies six groups deemed disruptive:
kitavān kuśīlavān krūrān pāṣaṇḍasthāṃśca mānavān |vikarmasthān śauṇḍिकाṃśca kṣipraṃ nirvāsayet purāt || 225 ||
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This verse focuses on maintaining hierarchical respect within the family and social structure. Medhātithi's commentary further clarifies that while no one should be treated with disrespect, transgressions against these specific individuals invite a "heavier expiation" and that "treating with disrespect" includes any form of insult or omission of due honor. Heretical Sects ( Pāṣaṇḍas In the 21st century,
Would you like to know more about the context or significance of this verse?
कितवान् कुशीलवान् क्रूरान् पाषण्डस्थांश्च मानवान् ।विकर्मस्थान् शौण्डिकांश्च क्षिप्रं निर्वासयेत् पुरात् ॥ २२५ ॥ Transliteration (IAST):
To fully grasp what Manu intends in this verse, it is helpful to break down the specific categories of people targeted for banishment:
The inclusion of vikarmasthān (those neglecting duties) reflects the text's strict adherence to social order. In a system built on interdependent duties, an individual abandoning their responsibilities to pursue illegal or chaotic livelihoods threatened the survival of the community. Conclusion
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