Analysis Of The Manusmrti

The Manusmrti talks of eleven categories of sons.112 The legitimate son and the son of the wife share the father’s estate, while the other ten inherit according to their order. This orders is thus,

(1) Aurasa or the son begotten on his own wedded wife, (V.166)
(2) Kshetraja – or a son begotten according to peculiar law of niyoga on the appointed wife of a dead man, of a eunuch or of one diseased (V.167).
(3) Datrima – or the son received from one equal of caste, whom his father or mother affectionately give with (a libation) of water, in times of distress as adopted son (V.168).
(4) Kritrima – or a son made owning to being equal in caste, acquainted with distinctions between right and wrong and endowed with filial virtues (V.169).
(5) Gudhotpanna

Those who do so become outcastes. Some other assertions regarding inheritance, in Manusmrti are as follows. V.201, tell that eunuchs and outcastes, persons born blind or deaf, the insane, idiots and the dumb and those deficient in any organ receive no share. They are however, entitled to maintenance. And if any of these marries, the offspring of such union is worthly of a share (V.203). Debts and assets are to be duly distributed equally (V.218), while a dress, a vehicle, ornaments, cooked food, make and female (slaves) property destined for prior use or sacrifices and a pasture ground, are declared to be