The Laws of Manu speak about the four great aims of human life, the four-fold order of society (caste system), and the four stages of life. There are still many important matters discussed in the Laws of Manu, but these three are the most important. However, special mention is made about women.
The Four Goals of Life
The first goal of life according to the Laws of Manu is Artha. Artha is concerned with material wealth, which includes fame and power. According to some scholars, artha should not be understood in the negative sense as in the selfish accumulation of wealth. Rather, it could mean the accumulation of material things for the satisfaction of the person’s basic needs. As humans, we need to eat, drink, clothe, and put roof over our head.
The second goal is Kama. Kama is concerned with enjoyment or pleasure. Again, just as in artha, kama should be understood in the negative sense. Enjoyment and pleasure are parts of being human; hence, humans aim to satisfy these needs.
The third goal is Dharma. Dharma here is understood as righteous. As humans, we need to be righteous. We may need material wealth and sensual pleasure, but they must be done from the vantage point of dharma or righteous.
The fourth goal is Moksha. Moksha is understood as spiritual liberation. As we can see, moksha is the highest goal of life according to the Ancient Indian thinkers.
The Fourfold Social Order
In the Laws of Manu, four social classes are mentioned, namely:
1) Brahmin, which are composed of priests and teachers,
2) Ksatriya, which are composed of kings, princes and warriors,
3) Vaisya, which are composed of tradesmen, and
4) Sudra, which are composed of workers or laborers.
It must be noted that there are other group of people in ancient India that cannot be categorized as a class. They are simply the untouchables. They are outside of the four classes of the caste system.
The caste system is governed by ten-fold laws which are responsible for its order. They are:
1) Contentment,
2) Forgiveness,
3) Self-control,
4) Abstention from unrighteousness,
5) Obedience to the rules of purification,
6) Coercion of the organs or control of the senses,
7) Wisdom,
8) Knowledge (of the Supreme Self),
9) Truthfulness, and
10) Abstention from anger.
The Four Stages of Life
There are four stages of life according to the Laws of Manu, namely:
1) the student stage,
2) the householder stage,
3) the forest-dweller stage, and
4) the wandering ascetic.
The Student Stage. According to the Laws of Manu, in the eighth year after conception, one should perform the initiation of a brahmin, in the eleventh year after conception that of a ksatriya, in the twelfth that of a vaisya.
The Householder Stage. The householder stage is declared to be superior of all for he (the householder) supports the other three. A student who has studied in due order the three Vedas, or two, or only one, without breaking the rules of studentship, shall enter the order of householder. In other words, after the student has fulfilled his obligations as “a student”, then he may now marry.
The Forest-dweller. Verse 1: A twice-born snataka (one who has completed his studentship) who has thus lived according to the law in the order of householder, may, taking a firm resolution and keeping his organs in subjection, dwell in the forest, duly observing the rules given below.
Verse 2: When a householder sees his skin wrinkled, and his hair white, and sons of his sons, then he may resort to the forest.
Verse 3: Abandoning all food raised by cultivation, and all his belongings, he may depart into the forest, either committing his wife to his sons, or accompanied by her.
There in the forest, the forest-dweller observes the rules assigned to his nature.
The Wandering Ascetic Stage. This is the last stage. A wandering ascetic totally abandons worldly attachment. Verse 3: …having thus passed the third of man’s natural term of life in the forest, he may live as an ascetic during the fourth part of his existence, after abandoning all attachment to worldly objects.
Verse 4: He who after passing from order to order, after offering sacrifices and subduing his senses, becomes tired with giving alms and offerings of food, an ascetic gains bliss after death.