Within the Dharmaśāstra tradition, certain commentarial voices on the Manusmriti have come to be regarded as especially weighty, almost like guiding lights for later interpreters. Foremost among these is Medhātithi’s extensive commentary, often treated as the foundational lens through which the text is read. It is described as the oldest and most comprehensive surviving exposition, and later jurists draw on it repeatedly when grappling with legal and social provisions. Alongside Medhātithi, Govindarāja’s work stands out for its clarity and practical orientation, helping to make intricate legal ideas more intelligible in concrete terms. Together, these two commentators represent a kind of early, classical stratum of interpretation that anchors much subsequent reflection.

A later but highly influential layer of exegesis is found in Kullūkabhaṭṭa’s Manvarthamuktāvalī. This commentary is often described as both popular and authoritative, appreciated for its relative concision and accessibility while still being deeply rooted in the earlier tradition. It has been widely cited in traditional scholarship and has shaped how many readers, both within and outside formal scholastic circles, have come to understand the Manusmriti. In many settings, Kullūkabhaṭṭa’s work functions as the standard reference, while Medhātithi’s remains the more foundational and rigorous guide for detailed study.

Beyond these three major figures—Medhātithi, Govindarāja, and Kullūkabhaṭṭa—later commentators such as Rāghavānanda, Nandana, and Bhāruci also contribute important strands to the interpretive tapestry. Their works are noted for systematic treatment, careful cross-referencing with other Smṛtis, and attention to jurisprudential nuance. Although they may not be as universally cited as Medhātithi or as widely read as Kullūkabhaṭṭa, they help demonstrate that the Manusmriti has never been a static authority, but rather a text continually re-engaged by thoughtful minds. Taken together, these commentaries show a living tradition in which law, ethics, and social order are repeatedly reconsidered in the light of inherited wisdom.