I do disagree with certain aspects in Manu Smrithi ..
A couple of years back, I posted a mail - quoting most respected Sarvapallai Dr. Radhakrishnan, former President of India and Philonthorophist ..
When the subject Brahmin came for discussion there were queries..
And it lead to analysing ::
Viswamithra - whose Mother was not Brahmin by birth.. Vashista - whose Mother was also not Brahmin by birth..
But these Rishis were revered - because of their Deeds - or KNOWLEDGE !!
And he concludes highlighting Brahmam is knowledge ... (say like knowing Soft-ware .. Professional .. !!) and hardly anything to do with Birth..
And Aadhisankara - in his Bashyam writes - though it had been mentioned that by virtue of caste-systems certain restrictions were explicit in attaining MOKSHA ( Jeevan Mukthi) for some - there are exceptions - cutting across caste-systems - whereby Knowledge of ITHIHASAS and Legends ENLIGHTEN one and leads to attaining Moksha..
And today how many are persuing the practice of attaining BRAHMAM.. ?!