Manusmriti Chapter 9 Verse 225 Jun 2026

The verse targets specific groups that were believed to cause instability or moral decay within a city. Commentators like Medhātithi

“Na strī svātantryam arhati” – “A woman does not deserve independence.”

The King’s Decree: Maintaining Order in the Ancient City (Manusmriti 9.225)

“The purchaser, who buys a woman or child from a person not authorized to sell, shall be punished like a thief; but if he buys from one who has the authority, he shall be punished like a usurer.” manusmriti chapter 9 verse 225

Violent individuals and those acting against Dharma .

The Manusmriti , or the Laws of Manu, is an ancient legal and ethical treatise that outlines social, moral, and legal codes for different stages of life, focusing heavily on social order, dharma, and the duties of a king. Chapter 9, titled "Duties of a King", deals extensively with legal issues, governance, inheritance, and social stability. fits into this framework by providing specific directives on identifying and removing elements that undermine the stability and moral fabric of society. Translation of Manusmriti 9.225

The primary ambiguity around 9.225 stems from a verse-numbering inconsistency. A well-known scholarly edition of the text (often cited as the "Medhātithi" commentary) splits what other translations treat as a single, longer verse into two separate verses (9.224 and 9.225). This creates two distinct readings for 9.225. The verse targets specific groups that were believed

Verse 9.225 is best studied as a historical artifact, not a living law. Its literal meaning is rejected by modern legal systems, Hindu reform movements, and mainstream ethics.

The verse dictates that the King must instantly exile individuals such as gamblers, actors, violent persons, heretics, those engaging in forbidden acts, and liquor dealers to maintain public order. Key Categories of Persons Mentioned

"The preceptor, the father, the mother and the elder brother should not be treated with disrespect, especially by a Brāhmaṇa,—even though he be distressed—(225)" Chapter 9, titled "Duties of a King", deals

From a contemporary standpoint, 9.225 is widely rejected:

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.

To understand this verse, one must consider the social realities of ancient India (c. 200 BCE – 200 CE):