Swami Vivekananda – Manu Smriti is OBSOLETE. Laws Not Applicable Today

Discover 5 Little Known, Yet Crucial Facts About Our Smritis such as the Manu Smriti

“The old Smritis (such as the Manusmriti) are now obsolete. It is time to write a new Smriti according to the need of the present age.”
– Swami Vivekananda’s remark to his guru-bhai (brother-disciple) Swami Vijnanananda.

1. So why did Swami Vivekananda say that the Manu Smriti has become obsolete? In this video I highlight 5 little-known, yet crucial facts about our Smriti Shastras, which explain the rationale behind Swami Vivekananda’s remark.
2. Once this rationale is clear, we will then be able to see why the laws of the Manusmriti, especially those which relate to sutak i.e. to observing a period of impurity during menstruation, we will see why these Manusmriti laws have become obsolete and cannot be blindly copy-pasted and applied in today’s modern times.
3. And lastly we will absorb Swami Vivekananda’s most important message which is that – just because we stop following the old Manusmriti laws today, this does not mean that Hinduism will fall in danger of vanishing! This message of Swamiji is particularly relevant for those people who feel that Hinduism will come under threat, if women of menstruating age are allowed to enter the Sabarimala shrine.

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“Social laws and customs being based on Karma-Kanda (ritual portion of Vedas), have been changing and will continue to change hereafter. Minor social usages also will be recognised and accepted, when they are compatible with the spirit of the true scriptures and the conduct and example of holy sages. But blind allegiance only to usages, is repugnant to the spirit of the Shastras and has been one of the main causes of the downfall of the Aryan race.

It is the Jnana-kanda (knowledge portion of Vedas) or the Vedanta only, that has for all time commanded recognition for leading men across Maya and bestowing salvation on them through the practice of Yoga, Bhakti, Jnana, or selfless work (Karma); and as its validity and authority remain unaffected by any limitations of time, place or persons, it is the only exponent of the universal and eternal religion for all mankind.”
– “Hinduism & Shri Ramakrishna”, Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 6

Books Referenced in this Video

1. Reminiscences of Swami Vivekananda – Purchase from Advaita Ashram
2. The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, 8 Volumes Set – Purchase from Advaita Ashram
3. All About Hinduism by Swami Sivananda, Divine Life Society
4. “Hinduism and Sri Ramakrishna” – Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 6
5. “Vedantism” – Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 3
6. “First Public Lecture in the East” – Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 3
7. “The Sages of India” – Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 3
8. “The Vedanta in All Its Phases” – Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 3
9. “Reply to Address of Welcome at Madura” – Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 3