Manusmriti Chapter 9 Verse 225 - [portable]

In Sanskrit, this verse is:

Dealers in alcohol were often viewed as contributors to public intoxication and disorder. Context and Interpretation

To fully understand this verse, one must place it within the broader framework of the Manusmriti 's vision for society. The text advocates a highly structured social order ( Varna system), with the King (Kṣatriya) at its helm, responsible for protecting the righteous and punishing the wicked. This verse is not about a man's private morality but a directive for the ultimate enforcer of law: the King.

kitavān kuśīlavān krūrān pāṣaṇḍasthāṃśca mānavān | vikarmasthān śauṇḍikāṃśca kṣipraṃ nirvāsayet purāt || 225 ||

Complete spatial banishment from municipal limits to prevent economic ruin. manusmriti chapter 9 verse 225

Individuals inclined toward violence, bullying, or causing physical harm to others.

"Gamblers, dancers (or actors/entertainers of ill-repute), cruel men, men belonging to heretical sects, those addicted to forbidden occupations, and dealers in wine—these the King shall instantly banish from his town." Breaking Down the "Banishment List"

The verse lists six specific categories of individuals whom the king is advised to exile "instantly" from the city ( Gamblers (

In summary, "Manusmriti Chapter 9 Verse 225" is not a single, straightforward statement. The most commonly cited version is a stern directive for a king to expel gamblers, actors, cruel people, heretics, those following forbidden trades, and liquor sellers from his town. However, in some important recensions and commentaries, this verse is split, making verse 9.225 a timeless ethical teaching on the necessity of respecting one's preceptor, father, mother, and elder brother, irrespective of personal difficulty. Understanding this textual ambiguity is key to any responsible engagement with the Manusmriti's complex legacy. In Sanskrit, this verse is: Dealers in alcohol

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)

According to Ganganath Jha's translation of the Manubhāṣya :

generally condemns as a major source of sin and social disorder. The Role of the King In the context of the Manusmriti

In Manu’s legal framework, women could not sue, contract, or inherit independently. However, they had rights to maintenance, jewelry, and gifts (stridhana). The verse reinforces their legal minority. This verse is not about a man's private

"Gamblers, actors, cruel persons, heretics, persons living by forbidden practices, and sellers of liquors – all these he should promptly expel from the town."

Show you the of the subsequent verse (9.226).

The power of this directive is captured in its original Sanskrit and unequivocal English translation: