The Manusmriti Chapter 9, Verse 225 , serves as a directive for maintaining public order by identifying and expelling individuals perceived as socially disruptive or "shady." The Verse (Translation)
"Gamblers, actors, cruel men, men belonging to heretical sects, those addicted to forbidden occupations, and liquor-vendors—all these the King shall immediately banish from his town." Context & Review
This verse appears in the section of Chapter 9 dealing with Civil and Criminal Law (specifically the suppression of public nuisances).
Public Morality: The list targets professions and behaviors that the text's authors viewed as corrosive to the social fabric. It groups "gamblers" and "liquor-vendors" with "cruel men" and "heretics," reflecting a legal philosophy that prioritizes religious and moral homogeneity.
Preventative Governance: The instruction for the King to "immediately banish" these individuals suggests that the mere presence of these groups was considered a risk to the stability of a city.
Cultural Nuance: Different commentators offer variations on the identities of these groups. For example, some interpret "cruel men" (kruran) as those with "crooked behavior," while others identify "actors" (kusilavan) as individuals sharp enough to entrap others. Modern Perspective
In a contemporary context, this verse is often cited in discussions regarding the rigid and exclusionary nature of the Manusmriti. While it historically aimed to create a "purified" urban environment, its broad categorization of "heretics" and "actors" as criminals clashes with modern values of religious freedom and professional liberty. The Manusmriti: The Laws of Manu - Amazon.in
Manusmriti 9.225 is a window into a pre-modern, patriarchal social mechanism designed to solve the problem of heirlessness within a rigid patrilineal system. While it reflects the historical legal reasoning of its time, it is not applicable, ethical, or legal in contemporary society. Modern Hindu law and social ethics have long abandoned this practice in favor of more humane and equitable alternatives like adoption and widow remarriage. Quoting this verse today as a prescription for conduct would be a profound anachronism and a violation of women's dignity and legal rights.
The Manusmriti is a foundational legal text in ancient Indian history, and Chapter 9, Verse 225
offers a striking look into how ancient societies viewed public order and social disruption. The Verse: Manusmriti 9.225 Sanskrit Text:
kitavān kuśīlavān krūrān pāṣaṇḍasthāṃśca mānavān |vikarmasthān śauṇḍikāṃśca kṣipraṃ nirvāsayet purāt || 225 || English Translation:
"Gamblers, dancers, 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." Blog Post: The Ancient "Public Nuisance" Law Title: Banishment and the City: Decoding Manusmriti 9.225
In the modern world, we use fines and community service to manage "disorderly conduct." But thousands of years ago, the solution was much simpler and far more final: instant banishment.
Manusmriti 9.225 outlines a specific list of individuals the King was expected to expel from his city immediately. At first glance, it looks like a random list of "bad guys," but looking closer reveals a deliberate strategy for social stability. 1. The Usual Suspects: Gamblers and Wine Dealers
Gambling (kitavān) and wine-selling (śauṇḍikān) were viewed as gateway vices. The text later explains that these people are like "hidden thieves" (pracchannataskarāḥ) who trouble honest citizens through their "forbidden occupations." By removing them, the King was essentially trying to stop crime before it started. 2. The Surprise Entries: Dancers and Singers
Why were dancers (kuśīlavān) grouped with "cruel men"? In ancient legal contexts, itinerant performers were often viewed with suspicion because they were mobile, difficult to tax, and sometimes associated with the "frivolous" side of life that distracted people from their duties (dharma). 3. The "Heretical" Outsider manusmriti chapter 9 verse 225
The mention of pāṣaṇḍa (those following heretical sects) highlights the importance of religious homogeneity for social order in that era. Anyone who strayed too far from the established Vedic path was seen as a potential source of rebellion or social friction. The Verdict
This verse shows that the ancient "State" didn't just care about violent crime—it cared about the character of the city. Banishment wasn't just a punishment; it was a way of "cleaning" the urban environment to ensure that the "good citizens" could thrive without temptation or disruption. Manusmriti Verse 9.225
The Manusmriti, Chapter 9, Verse 225, is a legal and social directive concerning the maintenance of public order within a kingdom. It prescribes the immediate expulsion of various "antisocial" elements to protect the law-abiding citizenry. The Verse (Sanskrit & Transliteration)
कितवान् कुशीलवान् क्रूरान् पाषण्डस्थांश्च मानवान् ।विकर्मस्थान् शौण्डिकांश्च क्षिप्रं निर्वासयेत् पुरात् ॥ २२५ ॥
kitavān kuśīlavān krūrān pāṣaṇḍasthāṃśca mānavān |vikarmasthān śauṇḍikāṃśca kṣipram nirvāsayet purāt || English Translation
"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." Breakdown of Categories
Traditional commentaries, such as those by Ganganath Jha and Medhātithi, provide specific definitions for the groups mentioned: Kitavān: Fraudulent or habitual gamblers.
Kuśīlavān: 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.
Pāṣaṇḍasthān: Members of heretical sects who do not follow Vedic traditions (sometimes identified specifically as Kṣapaṇakas in historical commentaries).
Vikarmasthān: Individuals who have abandoned their prescribed duties to follow forbidden occupations.
Śauṇḍikān: Vendors of spirituous liquor or habitual drunkards. Legal Justification (Verse 226)
The verse immediately following (9.226) explains the reasoning for such harsh measures: these individuals are considered "hidden thieves" (pracchanna-taskarāḥ) who constantly harass and disturb honest subjects (bhadrikāḥ prajāḥ) through their illicit activities. By banishing them, the King ensures the safety and moral integrity of the state. Manusmriti Verse 9.225
16 Feb 2018 — Verse 9.225 * Medhātithi's commentary (manubhāṣya): (verses 9.220-227) (No Bāṣhya) * Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha. 'Krūrān'. Wisdom Library Where is this verse about pakhandis found?
The King’s Purge: Understanding Manusmriti 9.225 Manusmriti
, an ancient and influential Sanskrit legal text dated between the 2nd century BCE and 2nd century CE, offers a complex blueprint for societal conduct ( The Manusmriti Chapter 9, Verse 225 , serves
). Within Chapter 9, which primarily focuses on the duties of kings and family laws, stands out as
a directive for preserving the moral and social order of a kingdom through the immediate removal of specific "undesirable" elements The Sanskrit Text and Translation
The verse, as translated by scholars like Ganganath Jha and G. Bühler, reads:
कितवान् कुशीलवान् क्रूरान् पाषण्डस्थांश्च मानवान् ।
विकर्मस्थान् शौण्डिकांश्च क्षिप्रं निर्वासयेत् पुरात् ॥ २२५ ॥
"Gamblers, dancers, cruel men, men belonging to heretical sects, men addicted to evil deeds, dealers in wine—these the King shall instantly banish from his town." Key Groups Subject to Banishment
The verse lists six specific categories of individuals whom the king is advised to exile "instantly" from the city ( Gamblers (
Those who engage in games of chance, viewed as a source of social instability and personal ruin. Dancers/Actors ( Kuśīlavān
Performers and those associated with public entertainment, which the text often links to distraction from duty or loose morality. Cruel Men (
Individuals who display persistent malevolence or violent tendencies toward others. Heretical Sects ( Pāṣaṇḍas
Traditionally interpreted as followers of non-Vedic religions (such as early Buddhists or Jains) who did not adhere to the Brahminical social order. Doers of Evil Deeds ( Vikarmasthān Those who abandon their prescribed duties ( ) to engage in forbidden or unethical occupations. Dealers in Wine ( Śauṇḍikāṃśca Sellers of intoxicants, which the Manusmriti
generally condemns as a major source of sin and social disorder. The Role of the King In the context of the Manusmriti
, the king’s primary duty is to protect his subjects and uphold
. Verse 225 functions as a preemptive legal measure. By banishing these groups, the king is thought to be "pruning" the city of influences that could lead to the moral decay of the population. Historical and Modern Context
Historically, this verse reflects the rigid social structures and moral codes of ancient Brahminical society. In modern times, verses like 9.225 are often analyzed by scholars to understand ancient perspectives on social exclusion, religious pluralism (or the lack thereof), and the state's role in enforcing private morality. or punishments for other crimes? Manusmriti Verse 9.2 Legally void: In modern India (and other secular
To understand verse 225, one must read it within the broader framework of Chapter 9 of the Manusmriti. Chapter 9 deals primarily with:
Verses immediately surrounding 225 (223–226):
In preceding verses, Manu discusses the concept of a husband’s power over his wife and sons. In ancient law, a husband had the right to "sell" or "abandon" his wife and children only under extreme duress—such as famine or threat of death—and even then, only as a last resort.
Verse 225 is the penal provision attached to this power. It establishes two distinct categories of crime:
This verse describes an ancient, rarely practiced custom known as Niyoga (levirate). This was not an endorsement of adultery or promiscuity. It was a highly regulated, last-resort mechanism in ancient Hindu law to ensure:
Key conditions of Niyoga (derived from surrounding verses):
The Manusmriti (The Laws of Manu) is one of the most ancient and debated legal texts in the history of the Indian subcontinent. Composed roughly between the 2nd century BCE and the 3rd century CE, it is a Dharmaśāstra—a treatise on righteous living, social duties, and legal procedures. For centuries, it served as a reference point for Hindu jurisprudence, particularly concerning the varna (caste) system and the roles of women.
However, in the modern era, the Manusmriti is a focal point of intense ideological conflict. To some, it is an invaluable historical record of ancient social evolution. To others, it is a patriarchal and casteist document whose verses justify systemic oppression. No verse exemplifies this tension more starkly than Chapter 9, Verse 225.
In this article, we will dissect this controversial verse: its literal translation, its contextual meaning within ancient law, its intended legal function, and why it remains a lightning rod in contemporary social discourse.
This is the most puzzling part of the verse for modern readers. Today, "usurer" implies an exploitative moneylender. But in ancient Hindu legal texts, usury (charging interest on loans) was not entirely forbidden; it was regulated but considered a morally inferior profession.
Punishing the buyer "like a usurer" likely meant:
Why the distinction?
Manu’s logic appears to be one of intentionality and necessity:
"Having become a learned Brahmana (śrotriya) and married off (his daughter), the best of twice-born should give his daughter to that man who possesses superior qualities."
(Alternate reading / interpretation by some scholars):
"Having married a person who is well-vers in the Vedas, and having become himself a high-ranking twice-born, he should give his daughter to that man who is most eminent in virtues."
Scholars point out that other verses in the same text offer a more complex picture:
Thus, 9.225 does not advocate cruelty or neglect. Instead, it argues for a hierarchical system of guardianship without physical abuse, which was considered progressive for its time compared to some other ancient cultures.
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