Traditionally viewed with suspicion in ancient legal texts, often associated with nomadic lifestyles or moral laxity.
The original Sanskrit text and its transliteration are as follows:
Manusmriti Chapter 9 Verse 225 has faced criticism and controversy over the years, particularly with regard to its perceived treatment of women. Some have argued that the verse:
Refers specifically to fraudulent gamblers or those who use games of chance to deceive others. Dancers/Actors ( Kuśīlavān manusmriti chapter 9 verse 225
Ganganatha Jha’s translation states: 3. Key Subjects for Banishment The verse targets specific groups deemed social disruptors:
This verse identifies several categories of people deemed detrimental to a well-ordered society, requiring swift action by the sovereign:
Most modern readers view Dharma (duty/law) through a judicial lens—a system of rewards and punishments. However, Verse 225 reveals a deeper, almost ontological function of the social order: Traditionally viewed with suspicion in ancient legal texts,
The term Pashanda refers to those who denied Vedic authority—primarily targeting early Buddhist, Jain, or Ajivika ascetics during periods of religious competition. From the perspective of the Manusmriti, the king’s primary duty is to uphold Sanatana Dharma . Therefore, groups that actively preached against Vedic rituals were viewed as ideological dissidents who could destabilize the religious framework supporting the crown. 4. Economic Discipline ( Vikarmastha )
Verse (transliteration, common scholarly rendering): yady api kṛtaṃ śīlam tady ātmanā veditavyam | yad dānaṃ ca yad yajñaś ca tad eva hi dharmaḥ smṛtaḥ ||9.225||
: Those who manufacture and distribute intoxicating substances, creating lawlessness and domestic chaos within town limits. Philosophical and Legal Context 1. "Disguised Thieves" ( Pracchanna-Taskara ) From the perspective of the Manusmriti, the king’s
कितवान् कुशीलवान् क्रूरान्पाषण्डस्थांश्च मानवान् । विकर्मस्थान् शौण्डिकांश्च क्षिप्रं निर्वासयेत्पुरात् ॥ २२५ ॥
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 ).
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To grasp the full force of Verse 9.225, it must be seen within the larger framework of Chapter 9. While the chapter begins with the husband's duty to "carefully guard his wife, in order to keep his offspring pure", its ultimate concern is the purity and order of society itself. This duty falls squarely on the king. The Manusmriti posits that the king was divinely appointed to protect the social order of the varna system, ensuring everyone adhered to their prescribed duties. Banishment was a severe penalty, treating these individuals as internal threats whose mere presence, according to the following verse (9.226), could "constantly harass the well-behaved people".
Ancient societies faced constant threats from raids, bandits, and warfare. The verse frames male guardianship as a form of protection, not merely subjugation.