Manusmriti

Origin of the World and the Dharma

सृष्ट्युत्पत्तिः

Creation of the universe, the four ages, and the source of dharma; Manu addresses the sages.

119 verses

Sources of Dharma, the Student

धर्ममूलं ब्रह्मचर्यं च

The Veda, smriti, sadachara, and conscience as sources of dharma; rules for the brahmacharin.

249 verses

The Householder — Marriage and Shraddha

गृहस्थधर्मः विवाहश्राद्धादिः

Marriage, the eight forms of wedding, daily duties, and the shraddha rite for ancestors.

285 verses

Means of Subsistence; Vows and Penances

वृत्तिविधानं व्रतादीनि

The householder's livelihood, lawful and unlawful gain, and the vows that purify daily life.

259 verses

Lawful and Forbidden Food; Purification; Women

भक्ष्याभक्ष्यं शौचं स्त्रीधर्माः

Foods permitted and forbidden, the rules of impurity and purification, and the conduct of women.

169 verses

The Forest-Dweller and the Sannyasin

वानप्रस्थयतिधर्माः

The third and fourth ashramas — the forest hermit and the renunciate.

97 verses

Duties of the King

राजधर्माः

The origin and duties of the king, taxation, war, fortification, and ministerial counsel.

226 verses

Civil and Criminal Law

व्यवहारपदानि

The eighteen titles of law — debt, deposit, sale, partnership, theft, assault, defamation, etc.

418 verses

Law of Husband and Wife; Inheritance; Mixed Castes

स्त्रीपुंसयोर्धर्मः रिक्थभागः व्यवस्थापदम्

Duties of husband and wife, succession and partition of inheritance, and the mixed castes.

336 verses

Occupations in Times of Distress

आपद्धर्माः

The varna occupations and what is permitted in times of distress (apaddharma).

131 verses

Penance and Expiation

प्रायश्चित्तानि

The gravity of sins, public and private expiations, and the recovery of ritual purity.

265 verses

The Three Gunas, Karma, and Final Liberation

त्रिगुणकर्मफलं मोक्षश्च

The three qualities of sattva, rajas, tamas; the fruit of action; transmigration; and the path to liberation.

126 verses