2

An HSE poster writes

Hence it is immaterial if Dharma Sastras have guidelines on anything. Hindus are not obliged to follow them if they exist.

This poster obviously thinks Dharma shastras are not pointers to achieve Moksha.

What does scripture say about the utility of Dharma shastras in achieving Moksha?

Improve this question
4
  • Dharma Shastras are about social codes. The laws that govern the Hindu society. How Hindus should behave. It is not primarily related to Moksha. For moksha, you have moksha shastras, i.e., shad-darshanas.
    – Amritendu Mukhopadhyay
    Commented Nov 17 at 12:48
  • @AmritenduMukhopadhyay the actual question is is it necessary to follow the teaching of Dharma sastras to attain moksha
    – Crackling Cyclone
    Commented Nov 17 at 12:49
  • @CracklingCyclone The answer is obvious! As Dharmasastras are not about moksha, and there is a separate and dedicated branch of sastras for moksha, it is not necessary to follow dharmasastra to attain moksha!
    – Amritendu Mukhopadhyay
    Commented Nov 17 at 15:48
  • 1
    Without proper societal conduct, you are just a problem for others. The Dharmashastras help us know this proper societal conduct, therefore following them should be necessary for Parmārtha, imo
    – K. V. Sharma
    Commented Nov 18 at 14:07

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
0

Dharma Sastras deal primarily with societal issues and the problem is that many of their views are obsolete. Some of their views were rejected in Hindu scripture many centuries ago. I have given below the attitude towards women in Manu Smriti.

EXAMPLE of rejection

  1. Her father protects (her) in childhood, her husband protects (her) in youth, and her sons protect (her) in old age; a woman is never fit for independence.

Manu Smriti 9.3

Polemicists have a great day attacking Manu Smriti 9.3 and establishing Sanatana Dharma as misogynistic. They, however, never point out that there is an opposite view expressed in Hindu scripture on the very same topic.

enter image description here

Devi Bhagavata Purana V.XVII

The lady Mandodari refuses to marry because she refuses to accept dependence. Some of Dharma Sutra views were obsolete even 1000 years ago.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .