Manusmriti Chapter 9 Verse 225 [new] -
The overarching goal of Verse 225 is (governance) and Kantaka-shodhana (removal of thorns). The text argues that these individuals act as "hidden thieves" who do not contribute to the spiritual or material stability of the kingdom but instead actively undermine it. By banishing them, the king ensures that the "righteous" citizens are not corrupted or harassed. Modern Perspective
In the eyes of Manu, a city or kingdom is an ecosystem. Just as a disease spreads if left unchecked, certain behaviors and professions are viewed as inherently destabilizing. The verse explicitly commands the king to ( kṣipraṃ nirvāsayet ) these elements from the city ( purāt ).
Refers to those who belong to sects outside the Vedic fold, such as the Kṣapaṇaka Men Addicted to Evil Deeds ( Vikarmasthān
"The King should instantly banish from his town gamblers, actors, cruel men, men belonging to heretical sects, those who do improper work, and sellers of spirituous liquor."— Translation based on the Medhatithi commentary Context and Interpretation
"Gamblers, dancers and singers, cruel men, men belonging to heretical sects, men addicted to evil deeds, and dealers in wine—these the King shall instantly banish from his town." manusmriti chapter 9 verse 225
: kitavān kuśīlavān krūrān pāṣaṇḍasthāṃśca mānavān | vikarmasthān śauṇḍikāṃśca kṣipraṃ nirvāsayet purāt || 225 ||
"Yeṣāṃ hi nāsty aṅgakṛtaḥ sadācāro na parāṅmukhaḥ | Tāṃś ca yatnād gopayet tāsāṃ rakṣāṇāṃ hi mūlam idam ||"
"For a woman, her husband is the lord; her well-wishers are her father and her brother; when she has no husband, her son is her lord; when she has no son, her relative (or brother) is her lord; when she has no relative, her king is her lord; in the absence of a king, the learned (or a good) Brahmana is her lord; if there is no learned Brahmana, she should strive to be virtuous."
Individuals belonging to sects that reject the authority of the Vedas. Vikarmasthān (Wrongdoers): The overarching goal of Verse 225 is (governance)
: Members of heretical sects who do not follow Vedic traditions (sometimes identified specifically as Kṣapaṇakas in historical commentaries).
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
If you are looking for information on inheritance, you may want to look at Manusmriti Chapter 9, Verses 104-107 (Jha), which discuss the division of property among brothers. If you are studying the laws regarding women, Manusmriti 9.59 and 9.3 provide context on the "protection" and legal status of women, according to Jha's translations. Manu Smriti , Adhyaya - 9 - Gyaandweep
The categories listed here are:
"Gamblers, actors (or bards), cruel men, men belonging to heretical sects, those who follow forbidden occupations, and sellers of spirituous liquor—all these the king should instantly banish from his town." Key Terms and Their Linguistic Breakdown
Its legacy is complex. For centuries, it was cited in legal digests ( nibandhas ) that guided Hindu law, and it gained immense, arguably outsized, influence under British colonial rule, who elevated it as a primary source for codifying Hindu law. This elevation cemented its authority but also made it a central target for social reformers.
: Those who entrap others (often associated with certain types of public entertainers like actors or singers in this legal context). Krūrān : Men of cruel or crooked behaviour.
कितवान् कुशीलवान् क्रूरान् पाषण्डस्थांश्च मानवान् । Modern Perspective In the eyes of Manu, a
To fully grasp what Manu intends in this verse, it is helpful to break down the specific categories of people targeted for banishment: