Cosmology and Laws of Manu

The laws of Manu were mythically written by "Manu" (the father of man) 30 million years ago. It is currently believed that around 200 BC, the Brahmin compiled them into a single text, in response to the onset of Buddhism. They hold in their teachings, an explanation of the creation of existence, complete nature and structure of all things in it as well as how they interact, and the "laws" (responsibilities) and punishments of all of those things.

The particular text I chose is Chapter 1 Verses 1-57. This is the Hinduism equivalent of the Genesis Story of the Bible and I found it fascinating how similar they both are.

This text, to certain extent does reflect the apparent beliefs of the people (viewable through their actions), however in some respects it does not.

In regard to teachings that do reflect the current beliefs, an example from this particular text is the reference to lots of deities "above, within and before" man (the many gods of Hinduism) as stated in verse 22 ("He, the Lord, also created the class of the gods, who are endowed with life, and whose nature is action; and the class of the Sadhyas, and the eternal sacrifice"). Another example of teaching in this text that is in alignment with currently held beliefs are the concepts of karma and samsara (reincarnation, regeneration), as shown in verses 54 - 57 ("When they are absorbed all at once in that great soul, then he who is the soul of all beings sweetly slumbers, free from all care and occupation. When this (soul) has entered darkness, it remains for a long time united with the organs (of sensation), but performs not its functions; it then leaves the corporeal frame. When, being clothed with minute particles (only), it enters into vegetable or animal seed, it then assumes, united (with the fine body), a (new) corporeal frame. Thus he, the imperishable one, by (alternately) waking and slumbering, incessantly revivifies and destroys this whole movable and immovable (creation)").

With regard to teaching in the text that does not seem to be reflected in current Hindu practices is the caste/class system. In the text it speaks of different parts of a whole body, and man being born into different parts but that no part is any more or less important than the other part. Verse 31 ("But for the sake of the prosperity of the worlds he caused the Brahmana, the Kshatriya, the Vaisya, and the Sudra to proceed from his mouth, his arms, his thighs, and his feet") clearly connects each caste/class to PARTS of a SINGULAR WHOLE BODY, implying each having equal yet unique importance and dignity, yet is well known