Chatmandude.. Since when was "Manusmriti" considered a religious book for Hindus? As far as my knowledge goes, it was a philosophical/social analysis of one individual. I've certainly never heard it being used for religious discourse. Have you? Aha!! I wish I could rationalize the way you do and say Machiavelli’s; “The Prince” is a religious text for Christians. I wouldn’t be wrong if I did that, would I?