Questions tagged [dharma-shastras]
Dharmaśāstra (Sanskrit: धर्मशास्त्र) is a genre of Sanskrit texts, and refers to the treatises (shastras) of Hinduism on dharma.
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What if a Shudra wishes to study Shruti (Vedas & Upanishads)?
What if a Shudra wishes to study Shruti (Vedas & Upanishads)?
Of course he/she can study them online but what if they wish to do so under the guidance of a Guru?
I know the Dharmshastras don't ...
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Can Shudras attain moksha by chanting stotras and nama smarana?
It seems that there are restrictions for Shudras to chant Vedas and certain mantras.
Can Shudras attain moksha by chanting stotras and nama smarana?
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Is it permissible to do puja with stolen flowers from other people's gardens?
Is doing puja with stolen flowers from other people's gardens permissible?
The question might sound silly, but it is a genuine issue in the place I stay. In the early morning, people collect flowers ...
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If I marry a Japanese Woman will I go straight to hell?
I'm a Kshatriya by Varna just in case that's needed to be known.
Do scriptures allow Hindus to marry foreigners?
In this question the answer seems to outright suggest that it's a huge sin to marry a ...
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Scriptures condemning following opposite gender norms?
I remember reading some scriptures condemning men acting like women and vice versa, though I have forgot about source, can anyone cite verses which condemn the same? I know manu smriti condemns ...
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Is it permissible to marry a Mlechha (outcaste) woman?
These days Hindus frequently come in contact with Westerners (Mlechhas or outcastes) and they marry Western women (I mean Christian women). I suppose Westerners should be considered as Mlechhas.
Is it ...
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According to the Dharmasastras how many marriages are permissible for a Hindu man?
According to the Dharmasastras, how many marriages are permissible for a Hindu man? As far as I know, multiple marriages are permissible. However, is there an upper cap? Do Dharmasastras mention any ...
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Do Dharma Shastras point the way to achieve Moksha or are they mostly concerned with organizing secular society?
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 ...
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What does Lakshmana say about ungrateful people in Kinshkindha Kanda?
Is there really no Prayaschittam for ungrateful people?
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What do Shastras say about earning money?
Are we allowed to earn money? Or should I be content with the money I already have. What should I do with the money I earn? Am I supposed to donate a particular percent of my earnings?
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Benefits obtained by reading the different Lilas from Shrimad Bhagavatam
There are certain stories in Shrimad Bhagavatam which give certain benefits for reading or chanting them in the way mentioned. For example, if one hears Stuti of Lord Narsimha by Prahaladji mentioned ...
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Would you agree that these Verses allow Overseas Travel and Travel to Other Countries in Certain Conditions?
This Part of the Manubhashya of the Manusmriti says that if a Well-Behaved Hindu Kshatriya King takes over a place which was originally Mleccha Desh and people of the Four Varnas start living there ...
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If S*ti isn't a Hindu tradition, how do we explain Sati being mentioned in so many Hindu scriptures including Puranas and Dharmashastras?
There are numerous places in Hindu scriptures where it appears to be mentioned and even endorsed, but I've long been told that it was never a religiously ordained practice at all, and some have gone ...
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Does the concept of soulmate exist as per Hindu scriptures?
Does the concept of soulmate exist as per Hindu scriptures?
As per Vedic astrology, it seems to be possible for someone to have the same person as spouse for many births.
Does this mean that the ...
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Is it a sin if someone kills a person who wanted to kill him?
Is it a sin if someone kills a person who wanted to kill him? There could be many such situations in life. Suppose a person is trying to kill me or rob me, in self-defence, if I kill the person before ...
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Is Death Penalty allowed for Punishing lgbtq sex?
I read this Sutra in the Baudhayana Dharmasutra:
A man who ejaculates his semen in any place other than the vagina becomes equal to a thief, equal to a murderer of a foetus.
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Is the birth of a Chandala despised or the individual within the body
In Manusmriti chapter 10 verse 39 it states, "The ‘Niṣāda’ woman bears to the ‘Caṇḍāla’ the son called ‘Antyāvasāyin,’ working in the cremation-ground, despised even by out-casts.—(39)"
My ...
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Are there any Gurus who believe only Sanatan Dharma is true and rest are false?
It is mentioned in Mahabharata that only Sanatana Dharma is true but most Gurus hold all religions to be similar.Are there any Gurus who say only Sanatana Dharma is true?
Also are there any Gurus who ...
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Should one not touch a fire with one's feet?
Many scholars tell us that one should not show one's feet to a fire. Is this true? Is there a relevant shastra pramana?
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How may a twice-born atone for eating an egg unknowingly?
This answer says Rig Veda has a verse which prays to destroy egg eaters.
So if a twice born are egg knowingly or unknowingly, what are all the
atonements shall be done?
Whether egg is consumable for ...
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Narada Smriti and Dasas
Using this pdf Narada Smriti why does Narada Smriti authorize Dasas to rub and shampoo the master's body? Is this not lusty work?
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Books on the laws for treatment of Dasas and Dasis
What legal Hindu text deals extensively with the laws for Dasas and Dasis in ancient India primarily regarding treatment.
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Is interrupting someone's sexual intercourse considered a sin in Hinduism?
Is interrupting someone's sexual intercourse considered a sin in Hinduism? Is it a punishable offence? What kind of punishment is prescribed? Is it categorically mentioned anywhere?
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Is it mandatory for a Brahmin to teach others as per Shastra?
As per Shastra, is it necessary for a Brahmin to impart the spiritual knowledge which he has attained to others?
Does he incur any sin if he does not do so?
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Treatment of a Chandala who has good Moral Character
If a Chandala had good moral character can one give him gifts and treat him more than what is stated in Dharmashastras. Please answer from Dharmasutras/sastras and Nitisastras.
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Why do some Dharmasastras allow abortion in the case of adultery/assault?
It appears sastras clearly admit even a fetus has a Jivatma menaing it has a spark of life, but why should it be moral to abort if say the mother or some evil man commit sin. It is innceont after all.
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What protection do Dharmashastras give for a wife who is being harmed by her husband
While I understand the Dharmashastras not liking adultery, allowing a man to discipline his wife for a righteous reason and remarrying while not abandoning his former wife if she is incompatible to ...
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Calculation of Ages Regarding Marriage in Dharmasutras, Dharmashastras and Nitishastras
I am curious whether the ages of marriage in those texts which expound the sacred law are calculated with the origin being conception or being after one has finished his vedic studies?
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Punishment regarding murder of a human
There are penances listed in dharmashastras for murder, but are there any laws with capital punishment or some other government penalty for murderers to face?
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How did the Jiva ended up in this material cosmos?
Hare Krsna, I am seeking an answer to the question on how has the Jiva ended up in this material cosmos?
In some sources, it is mentioned that the Jiva-atma is eternally present in Vaikuntha as an ...
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Are Nara Narayana Rishis Brahmanas?
Are Nara Narayana Rishis Brahmanas?
They are said to be sons of Dharma..Are there any scriptual passages that say they are brahmanas.
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What is the source of this śloka starting with "viprāṇāṃ daivataṃ śambhuḥ"?
विप्राणां दैवतं शम्भुः क्षत्रियाणां च माधवः ।
वैश्यानां तु भवेद् ब्रह्मा शूद्राणां गणनायकः ॥
"Śiva is the deity of the Brāhmaṇas, Viṣṇu of the Kṣatriyas, Brahmā of the Vaiśyas, and Gaṇeśa of the ...
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Was becoming a Dasa voluntarily and could they leave their masters?
The buying and selling of servants were mentioned in Mahabharta and Ramayana, but some people have also stated that becoming a Dasa was voluntary. My question is was Dasahood forced upon people or was ...
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How to ensure Brahminas don't step out of line regarding the law
The Dharmashastras forbid any capital punishments on Brahminas. While this is partly understandable as doing harm to a holy man is considered wrong, couldn't some Brahminas with evil intentions step ...
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Is the pouring of lac in a Shudra who hears the Vedas or recites them intentionally Danda or Prayaschitta?
Generally, people say that Shudras who hear the sacred knowledge (Vedas) have to undergo painful punishments, but is this self-imposed or imposed by a ruling or governing authority? Because, if it is ...
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Sterility of man in Vedic times
So within dharmashastras, it is generally accepted that the man may marry a second time without abandoning the first wife if she doesn't produce sons or is infertile, but if the man is infertile and ...
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Books Defending Caste and Untouchability
It is obvious that today's historians never place themselves in the shoes of past people and have a very one-sided and biased view of history looking at an individual over a societal level. I am ...
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Where is this verse found in sastras?
Where is this verse found in sastras?
One may be a bramhachari or grihastha or a old man as soon as one gets vairagya one may renounce..
Is there a line with such a purport?
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Six Darshanas and their means of reason and authenticity of Dharmasutra, Dharmashastras and Nitishastra
I am looking out how mainly the 6 Darshanas, but especially Advaita viewed Dharmasutra, Dharmashastras, and Nitishastra and how to interpret them in the constant change of the world. Traditional ...
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Marriage in Manusmriti
So I recall reading in Manusmriti that a man may marry a second time once his first wife dies, but wouldn't that be rare due to the age of marriage?
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Expiation for Chandalas and other mixed Varnas
Are their any dharmashastras or other vedic works which discuss how a Chandala through pious activities can reform himself into a respectable member of society and abandon the vile and disgusting jobs ...
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Why Brahmins are immune to many punishments in Dharmashastras
I want to know why Brahmins were immune to many punishments in dharmashastras which are indeed heinous doesn't this mean a Brahmin can do anything he/she wants? Once again I am not 100% against these ...
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How many Arya Samskaras are there? ten or sixteen?
Hindu householders perform a few Samskaras (religious rites), such as annaprashana, upanayana, marriage, shraddha etc. Some say, there are, in total, 10 Samskaras (Dasha Samskaras), whereas some say ...
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Generally Cruel Punishments in Dharmashastras and Unfair ones
Can someone explain to me the reason why most of the crueler punishments were to lower Varnas and the very nature of them being cruel and capital in nature? Seeing as the crime doesn't match the ...
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Rules for when marriage actually consummates?
So, I know the ages of marriage are generally young and there are rules for when the ritual for actual marriage begins, but are there rules as to when procreation can begin? Furthermore, why do epics ...
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Is it true that Swami Vivekananda advocated for a new dharmashastra for the modern age?
Is it true that Swami Vivekananda felt the need and opined that a new dharmashastra should be written for the modern age? I heard this. Is there any reference?
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Headgear of Ancient India
This is more a historical question, but I want religious ie dharmashastric text to answer this. What headgear did all people of ancient India wear and which ones were exclusive to the clergy (brahmins)...
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Contraception in hinduism?
I'm fully aware hinduism prohibits barrier method(condoms, etc.) but what is its stance on other methods like sterilization or hormonal stuff?
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Is Varna and Bodily Gunas have a similar system to genetics
Varna is based on birth or one's Gotra, but I found some similarities when studying simple Mendelian genetics keep in mind this is simple and not modern genetics. Now I am not saying necessarily that ...
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Nurses in India
In many Hindu serials especially Mahabharata we see female nurses assisting a male doctor my question is do these nurses who exist historically/religiously in scriptures get paid? Some argue women ...
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