Nāradasmṛti is a part of the Dharmaśāstras, written about 2400 years ago in two recensions the south India Naradamanusamhita and Nepal, in Newari language that serves as a collection of legal maxims relating to the topic of dharma.[1] This text is purely juridical in character in that it focuses solely on procedural and substantive law.[1] Known as the "juridical text par excellence," the Nāradasmṛti is the only Dharmaśāstra text to not cover areas such as righteous conduct and penance.[2] Its focused nature has made the text highly valued by rulers and their governments, in Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia, likely as an aid of carrying out their dharma of justly ruling the country.[2][3]
1407 CE manuscript of the Naradasmriti in Sanskrit, Bhujimol script from the Himalayan Malla kingdom. It was the dharmasastra used in this medieval era kingdom.
Today there exist three recognized versions of Naradasmriti, also called Naradiya Dharmasastra.[4] First, there is the “minor” recension, consisting of 879 verses and referred to by the siglum D. Next comes the recension known by the siglum P and consisting originally of 550 verses. Jolly later edited the text to contain verses from the “minor” recension as well, bringing the total to 1028 verses. The third version comes from the Newārī manuscripts and the Nāradīyamanusaṃhitā and goes by the siglum NMS, containing 870 verses. Each recension is unique not only in length, but content as well. For example, in P, an entire chapter is found of which no other manuscript makes mention.[5] One of the most thoroughly studied differences is that of the variation in naming of Ordeals. The NMS, seen as the oldest of the three texts, lists only two ordeals in the standard chapter on “Nonpayment of Debt” but contains an addendum which lists five more ordeals. The Vulgate also lists five ordeals but manuscript P adds two more, bringing the total to seven.[6]
Source and AuthorityEdit
One recension claims that “Manu Prajāpati originally composed a text in 100,000 verses and 1080 chapters, which was successively abridged by the sages Nārada, Mārkandeya, and Sumati Bhārgava, down to a text of 4,000 verses.” [7]Nāradasmṛti, according to this recension's claim, represent the ninth chapter, regarding legal procedure, of Manu’s original text. This connection may enhance the prestige of Nāradasmṛti because some traditional texts state Manu pronouncements on dharma is above challenge.[7] However, Lariviere notes that it is clear from the critical edition and examination of other ancient documents that this explanation of Nāradasmṛti's origin is a myth, and was added later.[8]
Naradasmriti was an authoritative document not only in Indian subcontinent, as well as when Hinduism flourished in southeast Asia. A 12th-century inscription in Champa empire of Jaya Harivarman, in what is now modern Vietnam, declares that its court officials were "expert in all dharmasastras, especially Naradiya and Bhargaviya".[3][9]
The divine sage Nārada is known as the messenger of the gods, transmitting divine will to the people of the earth. Although not known for being an expert in dharma, he has been portrayed as an instructor of law and politics.[7]
AuthorEdit
Lariviere argues that there was “no single ‘author’ of this text" but rather, either an individual or a group who compiled all of the verses attributed by a particular community to the sage Nārada.[7] Examination of the scripts of the original manuscript determines that the Nāradīyamanusaṃhitā manuscripts were written in the South of India while the Newārī manuscript came from Nepal. The recensions D and P appear to have been found throughout the subcontinent but rarely in Nepal or Kerala.[10]
DateEdit
Similar to all ancient Indian texts, specific dates for the authoring of the Nāradasmṛti continue to elude scholars. Varying arguments have been made and evidences cited but no decisive conclusions have been made. The best timeframe which can be provided is somewhere between 100BCE and 400CE.[11]
In 1876 manuscript D of the Nāradasmṛti was translated by the German scholar, Julius Jolly, making it available to legal scholars in Europe for the first time. The work was readily accepted in Europe due to its style, content, and structure which was similar enough to Roman legal texts of the time that the scholars felt comfortable dealing with it. Karl Marx even used this translation as a reference for his Asiatic Modes of Production.[12]
In 1879, Jolly translated manuscript P.
In 1989, Lariviere revisited the text and produced a critical translation which includes evidence from the NWS manuscripts, as well as D and P, which Jolly used.
StructureEdit
The structure of the Nāradasmṛti is based on the eighteen titles of law, which are also mentioned in the Manusmṛti but with some variation in names.[13] The text begins with a brief introduction into law and the courts before delving into these 18 titles, devoting a chapter to each. The way in which this text is written makes it clear that the author(s) was appealing to a community of practitioners, interested in directly applying the law to every day cases.[14]
Matrka (Prolegomena)Edit
Vyavaharah
Bhasa
Sabha
Vyavahārapada (18 Titles of Law)Edit
Ŗṇādāna
Nikşepa
Sambhūyasamutthāna
Dattāpradānika
Abhyupetyāśuśrūṣā
Vetanasyānapākarma
Asvāmivikraya
Vikrīyāsaṃpradāna
Krītānuśaya
Samayasyānapākarma
Kṣetrajavivāda
Strīpuṃsayoga
Dāyabhāga
Sāhasa
Vākpāruṣya
Daṇḍapāruṣya
Dyūtasamāhvaya
Prakīrṇaka
NotesEdit
^ abPrakashan, Sundeep (2007). "The Naradasmrti By Richard W. Lariviere (tr.)". sundeepbooks.com. sundeepbooks.com. Retrieved 11 December 2008.
Translation by Richard W. Lariviere (1989). The Nāradasmr̥ti. University of Philadelphia.
Olivelle, Patrick. "Dharmasastra: A Literary History"
Translation by Julius Jolly (1889). The Minor Law Books. Oxford: The Clarendon Press.
External linksEdit
Naradasmriti, English translation by Julius Jolly (1876)
, One of the three known distinct versions of the Law Book (in Sanskrit)
Nāradasmṛti: IAST-Translit, A SARIT Initiative, The British Association for South Asian Studies and The British Academy
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Translation by Julius Jolly, 1889
October 20, 2023
nāradasmṛti, part, dharmaśāstras, written, about, 2400, years, recensions, south, india, naradamanusamhita, nepal, newari, language, that, serves, collection, legal, maxims, relating, topic, dharma, this, text, purely, juridical, character, that, focuses, sole. Naradasmṛti is a part of the Dharmasastras written about 2400 years ago in two recensions the south India Naradamanusamhita and Nepal in Newari language that serves as a collection of legal maxims relating to the topic of dharma 1 This text is purely juridical in character in that it focuses solely on procedural and substantive law 1 Known as the juridical text par excellence the Naradasmṛti is the only Dharmasastra text to not cover areas such as righteous conduct and penance 2 Its focused nature has made the text highly valued by rulers and their governments in Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia likely as an aid of carrying out their dharma of justly ruling the country 2 3 1407 CE manuscript of the Naradasmriti in Sanskrit Bhujimol script from the Himalayan Malla kingdom It was the dharmasastra used in this medieval era kingdom Contents 1 Recensions 2 Source and Authority 3 Author 4 Date 5 Structure 5 1 Matrka Prolegomena 5 2 Vyavaharapada 18 Titles of Law 6 Notes 7 References 8 External linksRecensions EditToday there exist three recognized versions of Naradasmriti also called Naradiya Dharmasastra 4 First there is the minor recension consisting of 879 verses and referred to by the siglum D Next comes the recension known by the siglum P and consisting originally of 550 verses Jolly later edited the text to contain verses from the minor recension as well bringing the total to 1028 verses The third version comes from the Newari manuscripts and the Naradiyamanusaṃhita and goes by the siglum NMS containing 870 verses Each recension is unique not only in length but content as well For example in P an entire chapter is found of which no other manuscript makes mention 5 One of the most thoroughly studied differences is that of the variation in naming of Ordeals The NMS seen as the oldest of the three texts lists only two ordeals in the standard chapter on Nonpayment of Debt but contains an addendum which lists five more ordeals The Vulgate also lists five ordeals but manuscript P adds two more bringing the total to seven 6 Source and Authority EditOne recension claims that Manu Prajapati originally composed a text in 100 000 verses and 1080 chapters which was successively abridged by the sages Narada Markandeya and Sumati Bhargava down to a text of 4 000 verses 7 Naradasmṛti according to this recension s claim represent the ninth chapter regarding legal procedure of Manu s original text This connection may enhance the prestige of Naradasmṛti because some traditional texts state Manu pronouncements on dharma is above challenge 7 However Lariviere notes that it is clear from the critical edition and examination of other ancient documents that this explanation of Naradasmṛti s origin is a myth and was added later 8 Naradasmriti was an authoritative document not only in Indian subcontinent as well as when Hinduism flourished in southeast Asia A 12th century inscription in Champa empire of Jaya Harivarman in what is now modern Vietnam declares that its court officials were expert in all dharmasastras especially Naradiya and Bhargaviya 3 9 The divine sage Narada is known as the messenger of the gods transmitting divine will to the people of the earth Although not known for being an expert in dharma he has been portrayed as an instructor of law and politics 7 Author EditLariviere argues that there was no single author of this text but rather either an individual or a group who compiled all of the verses attributed by a particular community to the sage Narada 7 Examination of the scripts of the original manuscript determines that the Naradiyamanusaṃhita manuscripts were written in the South of India while the Newari manuscript came from Nepal The recensions D and P appear to have been found throughout the subcontinent but rarely in Nepal or Kerala 10 Date EditSimilar to all ancient Indian texts specific dates for the authoring of the Naradasmṛti continue to elude scholars Varying arguments have been made and evidences cited but no decisive conclusions have been made The best timeframe which can be provided is somewhere between 100BCE and 400CE 11 In 1876 manuscript D of the Naradasmṛti was translated by the German scholar Julius Jolly making it available to legal scholars in Europe for the first time The work was readily accepted in Europe due to its style content and structure which was similar enough to Roman legal texts of the time that the scholars felt comfortable dealing with it Karl Marx even used this translation as a reference for his Asiatic Modes of Production 12 In 1879 Jolly translated manuscript P In 1989 Lariviere revisited the text and produced a critical translation which includes evidence from the NWS manuscripts as well as D and P which Jolly used Structure EditThe structure of the Naradasmṛti is based on the eighteen titles of law which are also mentioned in the Manusmṛti but with some variation in names 13 The text begins with a brief introduction into law and the courts before delving into these 18 titles devoting a chapter to each The way in which this text is written makes it clear that the author s was appealing to a community of practitioners interested in directly applying the law to every day cases 14 Matrka Prolegomena Edit Vyavaharah Bhasa SabhaVyavaharapada 18 Titles of Law Edit Ŗṇadana Niksepa Sambhuyasamutthana Dattapradanika Abhyupetyasusruṣa Vetanasyanapakarma Asvamivikraya Vikriyasaṃpradana Kritanusaya Samayasyanapakarma Kṣetrajavivada Stripuṃsayoga Dayabhaga Sahasa Vakparuṣya Daṇḍaparuṣya Dyutasamahvaya PrakirṇakaNotes Edit a b Prakashan Sundeep 2007 The Naradasmrti By Richard W Lariviere tr sundeepbooks com sundeepbooks com Retrieved 11 December 2008 a b Lariviere 1989 ix a b George Coedes The Indianized States of Southeast Asia ISBN 978 0824803681 University of Hawaii Press page 164 166 Max Muller 1907 Introduction to Narada The Sacred Books of the East Vol 33 London Lariviere 1989 xiv Lariviere 1989 xvi a b c d Lariviere 1989 xxiii Lariviere 2003 page 14 see note 61 and Kane s analysis of Medhathiti ISBN 81 208 1804 0 Lariviere 2003 page 14 Lariviere 1989 xv xvi See Lariviere 1989 xix xxiii or Olivelle Literary History 24 for more information on the details of this debate Lariviere 1989 xi Lariviere 1989 xvii Lariviere 1989 xReferences EditTranslation by Richard W Lariviere 1989 The Naradasmr ti University of Philadelphia Olivelle Patrick Dharmasastra A Literary History Translation by Julius Jolly 1889 The Minor Law Books Oxford The Clarendon Press External links EditNaradasmriti English translation by Julius Jolly 1876 Naradasmriti One of the three known distinct versions of the Law Book in Sanskrit Naradasmṛti IAST Translit A SARIT Initiative The British Association for South Asian Studies and The British Academy nbsp Wikisource has original text related to this article Translation by Julius Jolly 1889 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Naradasmṛti amp oldid 1144853760, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
