Manu

Manu (c 1200 BC) was an Indian King and poet. He was a legendary Sanskrit poet and law-giver. Some people believe that he was possibly a legendary figure as mentioned in various Indian mythological texts, while others believe that he was actually a king around 2000 BC. In some sacred Hindu scriptures, he is mentioned as the father of humankind and the first king in others.

From sacred Hindu scriptures we gather that in the beginning of an epoch (the period between creation and dissolution of the universe) a Manu is given charge to lead the humanity. A total of 14 Manus are mentioned in the scriptures and the era in which we are living is called the era of Vaivasvat Manu.

In the Srimad Bhagvadgita, Lord Krishna says to Arjun that he is giving the knowledge to him which was first given by him to sun-god in the beginning which he gave to Manu, and Manu proclaimed it to Ikshvaku. If we go with the mythology, the date of existence of Manu would be 'the time immemorial'.

Despite various opinions, this much is historically true that many widely read texts in Sanskrit are attributed to him including Manusmriti and Manvasrautasutra.

Manusmriti, the Code of Manu, is said to have finally written down around 200 BC.

Wisdom & Quotes

• Justice, being destroyed, will destroy; being preserved, will preserve; it is must never, therefore, be violated.
• Iniquity, committed in this world, produces not fruit immediately, but, like the earth, in due season, and advancing by little and little, it eradicates the man who committed it.
• When the world was without a king

and dispersed in fear in all directions,
the Lord created a king
for the protection of all.
He made him of eternal particles
Of Indra and the Wind,
Yama, the Sun and Fire,
Varuna, the Moon, and the Lord of Wealth.
And, because he has been formed
of fragmants of all those gods,
the king surpasses
all other beings in splendour.
Even an infant king must not be despised,
as though a mere mortal,
for he is a great god
in human form.

• If the king did not inflict punishment

untiringly on evil-doers
the stronger would roast the weaker,
like fish upon a spit...
The whole world is controlled by punishment,
for a guiltless man is hard to find...
Where dark and red-eyed Punishment
walks the land, destroying sinners,
the people are not harrassed,
if he who inflicts it is discerning.

• He should not wish to die,

nor hope to live,
but await the time appointed,
as a servant awaits his wages....
He must show no anger
to one who is angry.
He must bless the man who curses him...
He must not utter false speech.
Rejoining in the things of the spirit, calm,
caring for nothing, abstaining from sensual pleasure,
himself his only helper,
he may live on in the world, in the hope of eternal bliss.
-On old age and Sanyasi

Ipu-wer