Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

by Ganganatha Jha | 1920 | 1,381,940 words | ISBN-10: 8120811550 | ISBN-13: 9788120811553

This is the English translation of the Manusmriti, which is a collection of Sanskrit verses dealing with ‘Dharma’, a collective name for human purpose, their duties and the law. Various topics will be dealt with, but this volume of the series includes 12 discourses (adhyaya). The commentary on this text by Medhatithi elaborately explains various t...

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

वेदाभ्यासस्तपो ज्ञानमिन्द्रियाणां च संयमः ।
अहिंसा गुरुसेवा च निःश्रेयसकरं परम् ॥ ८३ ॥

vedābhyāsastapo jñānamindriyāṇāṃ ca saṃyamaḥ |
ahiṃsā gurusevā ca niḥśreyasakaraṃ param || 83 ||

Vedic Study, Austerity, Knowledge, Control of the Senses, Harmlessness, Service of Elders,—are the best means of attaining the Highest Good.—(83)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

The term ‘highest good’ stands, not for the accomplishment of one’s personal ends, but for the sure continuity of happiness.

‘Vedic Study’ and other things, already described before, have been repeated here, for the purpose of eulogising the Knowledge of Self.

Knowledge’—of what is contained in the Veda.

The terms have been already explained.—(83)

 

Comparative notes by various authors

[See XXXI above.]

Yājñavalkya (3.190).—‘Expounding of the Veda, performing of sacrifices, Celibacy, Austerity, Self-control, Faith, Fasting and Independence are the means of acquiring the knowledge of the Self.’

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