Manu's Viwes On State

MANU'S VIEWS ON STATE
➢ Manu as one of the law codifier of ancient India deals with the theory of the
Structure of the State ( Kingdom) , nature and functions of the government (king)
and present a system of the law deal with both the civil and criminal cases and
regulates the external human conduct . Manu's views on the origin and structure of
the state are the reflection of both the divine origin theory and the organic theory
of state.
➢ In his views on government , Manu has followed the old Vedic doctrine of the two
powers such as temporal (chorological) and spiritual (religion) by bestowing
ruling authority upon(ahead) the Brahman and the king this power to be exercised
by them over the people by divine ordination.
SAPTANGA THEORY OF STATES ( ELEMENTS OF THE STATE)
➢ Manu constructed such a theory of the state in which the kingdom (State) will be
politically stable, administratively efficient financially sound, military and
diplomatically strong. Manu's theory of state because of its unique contribution in
the field of state craft has remained a permanent treasure in the literature of political
science. It is because of this fact we find the similarities of views on the Saptanga
theory of State ( Seven limbs of the state)
➢ Before going to discuss the theory of the elements of the state , Manu deals with the
problems of the origin of the king , the sovereign ruler . Manu gives a theory of
divine rights of kingship.
➢ According to him , when the world was without a king and trembling with fear ,
god created a king for the protection of the world . the king is the powerful because
of his excellence in every field. he is fire and wind , the sun and the moon , the king
of Justice , the Kuvera , the Varuna and the great Indra though a child , a king is not
to be despised as a human being for he is powerful divinity in man's form.
➢ According to Manu, a state has seven limbs such as Swamin , (Mantris and
Amatyas) , Janapada (the territory) Durga ( Fort) Kosha ( The Treasury) Bala (
the Defence) and Mitra (ally)
➢ Swamin( the Sovereign Ruler) : The king in the sovereign ruler of a kingdom. He
is created by the god with the blessing from different gods like Indra, Wind , Yama
and the Sun , Fire and Varuna , the Moon and Kuvera . He cannot be challenged .
Because the king excels everyone in the society. He is the right person to protect
the social order. He is the representative right person to protect the social order. He
is the representative of the divinity in human form. He is the symbol of Justice. If
anyone ever dares to the challenges the king ends in destroying himself. Manu "fire
burns only the individual but the fire of the king burns the race "
➢ Amaytas (Minister) : Manu advised his king to be carefully in the formation of

council of ministers. because such ministers constitute the government and
appropriately from an important element of the state. The king should appoint seven
or eight carefully examined ministers who are learned, brave, skilled in the use of
weapons and have an outstanding heredity. The king should discuss with the
ministers with the matters of peace and war , conditions of the Kingdom , wealth ,
protection of the territory tec.
➢ Pura (Capital City ): For the safety of the king , Manu suggests for the town
fortified by a desert or water or even trees , by armed man or by mountains. King
should live in such a town, Manu argues the desert occupied by the beasts and the
deer , the water by crocodile , the trees by monkeys , the outposts of Men by men,
constitute the best defence for the King
➢ Janapada ( The Territory) : Like the modern state system Manu's Kingdom also
had a permanent territory. But Janapada should have both cultivable land and west
land. It is better if the territory is fit to be the source of good living and surrounded
be week neighbours . But it should not be marshy and unhygienic . It would be a
better kingdom if it is inhabited by the Vedic doctrines. If it is dominated by the
Sudras there is every chance that the kingdom would suffer from the famine and
disease.
➢ Kosha ( The Treasury) : Manu emphasised Kosha or the treasury for the proper
maintenance of the Kingdom. But he should appoint pure men ( not greedy) to take
the charge of Koasha which involves both the income and expenditure of the
Kingdom, collection of revenues , location of mines, especially gold mines,
protection of grains by the labourers should be taken care of to develop a sound and
stable finance.
➢ Bala ( the Army ) : Bala or the army is another important element of the state. Its
objectives is to protect the kingdom from the external attack. But the army depends
on the offensive weapon it possesses and the type of discipline it has . It should be
controlled by a minister who is skilled in war.
➢ Mitra ( The Foreign Ally): Manu gives preference to acquiring of ally as an

important element of the state. The king should create friends for his own safety
rather than going for acquiring land or money. such ally who are week to-day may
be strong tomorrow.
➢ Thus Manu mentions about seven limbs of the state and pays equal importance to
each one. No limbs is superior to anyone.
The King ( Powers and Obligations)

• Manu created a benevolent king for the protection of the life of the people and
maintenance of a social order prescribed by him. Manu was an advocate of divine
right of kingship. As already mentioned in earlier discussions , there was at first no
king . as a result the people found themselves in trouble and fled in all directions.
for their protection , the lord created the king. Thus the kingship was a divine creation
but must serve the purpose of the people .
• In other word the king must be divine and benevolent. one can be the best king if he
sacrificed his sensuality , greed and wrath. thus the king belonging to the caste of
Kashtriyas is supposed to lead a pious life himself and worship. Brahmanas. In other
words, in Manu's Hindu policy , there will be supremacy of spiritual power over
temporal power as Manu favour a Brahminical social order
Powers and Authority of the Kings
• Manu's conception of the power and authority of the king is derived from the
conjoint principle of the kings divine creation and endowment with a super
human personality. so the king is extraordinary and excels others in the
society in the society through his action and activities and hence obligations
from the subjects. The king has the power to make law for the happiness of his
subjects and at the same time inflict pain on those who are defaulters. The
king has the power to punish and create fear in everybody so that on one
deviates from his duty. Danda ( Punishment) should be inflicted on men act
unjustly. Besides , the king has the following
• Executive Power: The king has been bestowed with the powers to constitute
has kingdom with seven elements such as swami, amatya , the territory , the
Pura , Kosha , the bale and the ally. the king is the chief sovereign legislative
and executive authority in the state. he has power to appoint eight ministers
who are skilled in different fields like war , finance and governance. The king
has the power to appoint officers of different departments.
• Law making Power : The king has also the law making power. but the king
makes those laws with the help of the principals drawn from the local usages
and from the sacred law ( Smriti) . such laws can be classified in to eight
categories like debts , deposit and pledge , theft , robbery , adultery , duties of
man and wife , gambling and betting etc. the laws of the king cannot be
challenged in any court or by any person.
• Judicial Power : The King has also the judicial powers. He can enquire into
different cases and with the help of Brahmans and experienced councillors
delivers justice on the matter mentioned above.
• Military Power : The king has also the military power of declaring war
against other kingdoms. he can also conclude peace , make treatises and enter
into friendship. he has to decide the foreign policy of his kingdom with the
help of Ambassadors.
Kings Obligations and limitations over his Authority

➢ Manu says the kings foremost duty as desired by the divinity is to protect the
social order.
➢ The king in his personal life should undertake austerity measures and respect the
system of Varna. the king should rise early morning , worship Brahmans who are
well versed in the three fold sacred science and learned in polity.
➢ He should followed their advice. the king should practice self - control and conquer
his senses . the king should protect his people and kingdom during war. since the
king is a Kshatriya , he should be ready even to sacrifice his life at the altar of his
country and protect his subject from the enemy.
➢ The king who enjoys the specific rewards namely taxes and dues is bound to
discharge his duty of protection.
➢ Manu chains his kings by more number of spiritual and temporal obligations. the
king is to be a religious , honest , modest and benevolent king

Manu's Viwes On State

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MANU'S VIEWS ON STATE

SAPTANGA THEORY OF STATES ( ELEMENTS OF THE STATE)

➢ Amaytas (Minister) : Manu advised his king to be carefully in the formation of

➢ Mitra ( The Foreign Ally): Manu gives preference to acquiring of ally as an

The King ( Powers and Obligations)

Kings Obligations and limitations over his Authority

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