[Manusmriti / Indian Dharmashastra] │ ▼ (Adapted to Javanese Custom) [Kutaramanawa Dharmasastra] │ ▼ (Enforced by Majapahit Courts) [14th Century Javanese Law]
The original Kutaramanawa was written in Kawi, an ancient literary language based on Sanskrit. A direct scan of the original manuscript is not widely available as a simple PDF due to its fragility and the complexity of the script.
(After you pick, I will run a targeted search and present results.) kutaramanawa pdf
The Kutaramanawa is available in PDF format on various online platforms, including:
| Bab | Subject (Indonesian) | English Translation of Subject | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | I | Ketentuan umum mengenai denda | General provisions on fines | | II | Delapan macam pembunuhan (Astadusta) | Eight types of murder (Astadusta) | | III | Perlakuan terhadap hamba (kawula) | Treatment of servants | | IV | Delapan macam pencurian (Astacorah) | Eight types of theft (Astacorah) | | V | Paksaan (sahasa) | Coercion/Violence | | VI | Jual beli (adol-atuku) | Sale and purchase | | VII | Gadal (sanda) | Pawning/Collateral | | VIII | Utang-piutang | Credit and debt | | IX | Titipan | Deposits/Safekeeping | | X | Mahar (tukon) | Dowry | | XI | Pernikahan (kawarangan) | Marriage | | XII | Mesum (pradara) | Adultery | | XIII | Warisan (drewe kaliliran) | Inheritance | | XIV | Caci-maki (wakparusya) | Verbal abuse/Insults | | XV | Menyakiti (dandaparusya) | Assault/Bodily harm | | XVI | Kelalaian (kagelehan) | Negligence | | XVII | Perkelahian (atukaram) | Brawls/Fighting | | XVIII | Tanah (bumi) | Land | | XIX | (Varied sources) | | | XX | Fitnah (duwilatek) | Slander | [Manusmriti / Indian Dharmashastra] │ ▼ (Adapted to
Based on translations and reconstructions by historians like Slamet Muljana, the chapters (bab) of Kutaramanawa are organized as follows:
The most famous section of the code is Chapter II, which details eight categories of "evil deeds" (Astadusta) related to taking a life. This shows that Majapahit law considered more than just the act of killing. The eight categories are: This shows that Majapahit law considered more than
The text likely deals with the Javanese cosmological principle of Sangkan Paraning Dumadi (the origin and destination of creation). It explains that the human soul originates from the Divine Essence ( Gusti ). The Kutaramanawa acts as a manual for remembering this origin. It teaches that life on earth is a ngelmu (lesson) and a period of probation ( cakra manggilingan — the turning wheel of fate).
