Principles of Dharma in Manu & Vedic Texts

Just doing some work and noticed something in need of correction. The below link has the following quote:

"Centuries before the revelation of the Ten Commandments to Moses by God as described in the Old Testament, the Vedic Seer Adi-Manu, the first Man created by Brahma to civilize the world, has described the ten 'attributes of Dharma.'"

However, it generally agreed that the Manusmriti ( मनुस्मृति) to which this "Hindu Voice" refers dates from 200 BC at the earliest (or as late as AD 200).* Even the earliest date of 200 BC is significantly post-Old Testament which was already translated into Greek by that time. The later dating is even post-New Testament.

Note that by this I don't intend to dispute the value of the so-called "10 principles of Dharma" elucidated in the Manusmrti, but rather to challenge the notion that they predate the 10 Commandments of the Torah (Old Testament).

Here's the link:

10 Principles of Dharma enunciated in Manu Smriti: "Patience, forgiveness, self-control, non-stealing, cleanliness and purity, restraint over the senses, wisdom, knowledge, truth and calmness (UnitedHinduFront@hotmail.com)

Actually, for the one who is interested in considering Dharmic principles, I would refer them to the Atharva Veda (12-1-1) (which, by the way, is also later than the Torah). The AV presents 6 principles of Dharma:

1. Satya (Truth)
2. Rta (eternal justice)
3. Diksa (communion)
4. Tapas (austerity)
5. Brahman (prayer)
6. Yajna (sacrifice)

Consideration of these principles is vital in understanding the nature of God, our status as fallen and separated from Him, and our need for God to graciously provide salvation. One may then meditate upon how Sanantan Putra, Prabhu Sri Yeshu, is the provision of God for the salvation of all peoples -- how these six principles are fulfilled in Sri Yeshu.

Blessings.



* Avari, p. 142; Flood (1996), p. 56; Keay, p. 103; Hopkins, p. 74; Kulke and Rothermund, p. 85; Encyclopedia Britannica Concise, retrieved 2007-06-24