Manusmriti Chapter 9 Verse 225 «PREMIUM»
In the verses directly preceding 225 (Manusmriti 9.220-224), the text explicitly labels gambling ( dyūta ) and betting ( samāhvaya ) as open theft. Classical commentators like Medhātithi argue that unregulated gamblers run parallel economic systems that evade state taxes, foster local gang violence, and lead citizens to financial ruin. The code demands immediate removal before these syndicates corrupt the royal courts. 2. Kuśīlavān (The Dancers and Actors)
The (Sanskrit: मनुस्मृति), or "Laws of Manu," is one of the most influential and controversial legal texts from ancient India. Composed between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd or 3rd century CE, this Dharmaśāstra (a treatise on duty, law, and ethics) has been the cornerstone of social and religious law in Hindu society for centuries, shaping the foundations of individual conduct, state governance, and societal norms in the subcontinent.
While the Manusmriti presents an idealized, Brahminical view of law, historical records show that ancient Indian governance was highly pragmatic. For example, Kautilya’s Arthashastra (a treatise on statecraft) takes a different approach to elements like gambling and liquor. Instead of outright banishment, the Arthashastra suggests that the state should regulate, tax, and monitor gamblers and taverns to generate revenue and gather intelligence.
The Manusmriti, or Laws of Manu , is one of the most debated legal and ethical treatises of ancient India. Composed in Sanskrit verse, it traditionally outlines the duties, laws, and codes of conduct ( dharma ) for individuals and society. Within this text, Chapter 9 primarily addresses the duties of husbands and wives, inheritance laws, civil and criminal codes, and the obligations of a king to maintain public order.
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kitavān kuśīlavān krūrān pāṣaṇḍasthāṃśca mānavān | vikarmasthān śauṇḍikāṃśca kṣipraṃ nirvāsayet purāt || 225 || Verse Translation and Breakdown
To comprehend why these specific six categories of individuals merited the ultimate non-corporeal state punishment—exile ( nirvāsana )—one must parse the ancient legal definitions and the perceived state-level threat of each vocation.
To understand the verse, we look at its traditional transliteration and standard English translation from scholars like Georg Bühler:
: Individuals who manipulate games of chance to defraud citizens of their wealth, causing financial destabilization. In the verses directly preceding 225 (Manusmriti 9
The 9th-century commentator Medhātithi explains that these individuals are banished to prevent them from spreading vice and to maintain social order.
: kitavān kuśīlavān krūrān pāṣaṇḍasthāṃśca mānavān | vikarmasthān śauṇḍikāṃśca kṣipraṃ nirvāsayet purāt || 225 ||
Compare this verse to the
Situated in the "Duties of the King" ( Rajadharma ) section, this command aims to prevent the "vitiation" or harassment of citizens by those with "unclean conduct". While the Manusmriti presents an idealized, Brahminical view
Here is the deep breakdown of this feature:
The power of this directive is captured in its original Sanskrit and unequivocal English translation:
focuses on the king's duty to purge the city of specific anti-social elements that pose a threat to the ethical and economic stability of the realm. 1. The Verse and Translation (9.225)
