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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Definition and ritualistc rights of vrAtyas in the present day
As per the dharmasAstrAs, a vrAtya is defined as one who has (or is descended from one who has) failed to be initiated at the proper time or who has ignored chanting of the Gayatri for over three ...
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Barbarism , what's the great difference in slaughtering lakhs of animals in factories vs yajurvedic pashubandha?
In communicating Ramakrishna and Hinduism to the west, Vivekananda was cornered into possibly saying animal sacrifice is barbaric? Hunters, Mansaharis, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and Hindus all ...
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Who is a true Brahmin?
What do the Puranas say about moral decay in all castes?
Here is a link from Kamakoti org
https://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part3/chap6.htm
What are the quotes of proper behaviours of sections of ...
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Are there any special kind of rituals mentioned for saptami of bhadrapad?
In gujarat, people completely shuts off their stoves where they cook their food daily and install a plant over it(forgot the name). Then, in that day and later in janmashtami they don't cook food but ...
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Dharmashastra and certain types of alcoholic beverages
Among the 5 greatest sins, is the drinking of Surā or alcohol.
Basically, Tamasic foods are not recommended which include, fermented items such as alcohol. However the dharmashastras have carved an ...
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Why is curd an exception to Tamasic food even though it is fermented?
Foods are categorised into sattva, rajas and tamas based on their nature. As is stated here, tamas foods are:
Food cooked more than three hours before being eaten, which is tasteless, stale, putrid, ...
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What does dharma say with respect to destroying an adversary in peril?
It is said that adversities accrue to a person because of his prarabdha karma; whether he be a dharmik or adharmik person.
In an enmity between such people, if the adharmik person is affected by his ...
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What does ISKCON think of the Dharma Shastras?
We know that some modern sects of Hinduism like the Arya Samajis and others reject the Dharma Shastras to some extent, so what's the stance of ISKCON in all this?
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How should students (who go to secular schools) practice Hinduism?
How should students who go to secular schools behave and practise Hinduism according to the Dharma Shastras?
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What's the correct treatment of widows of slain soldiers and Kings in a battle?
When an ārya defeats his opponent in a battle, what's the correct treatment to be metted out to the women of opponent as per scriptures?
2nd part: Are the rules of treating womenfolk of defeated party ...
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How should one read the DharmaShastras?
I am looking to eventually read the Dharma Shastras... but I don't know how to approach them, so I would like some information about how to read the Dharma Shastras. (Like, when to read them, which ...
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Which Shastras say that we should not eat after Sunset?
In one of the discourse or dialogue, Jagadguru Shri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal, while describing the good qualities of crow, said
It wakes up at Bramhamuhurtam……it caws and wakes you ...
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Are dvijas allowed to touch dogs?
What happens if a dvija touches a dog? If it's sinful what is the prayaschitta? If it causes asaucha what is the method of purification?
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Is money lending business wrong as per scriptures? [duplicate]
I heard many saying that those who earns money from this business will never be happy, etc etc. Also, kathakaars also say that sometimes. I am curious if it's mentioned in scriptures or anything ...
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What was the state's Land use policy as per ancient Hindu texts?
Apastamba Dharmasutra states - "If a person who has taken (a lease of) land (for cultivation) does not exert himself, and hence (the land) bears no crop, he shall, if he is rich, be made to pay (...
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Which caste is "software developer"?
Advocates of the varnashrama dharma claim that we should follow the varna professions listed in the dharma shastras. For example:
10.47 - For Sūtas, the management of horses and chariots; for ...
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If kshatriyas and vaishyas don't exist, who can take up arms and do farming?
For example, the shastra says only people born as kshatriyas and who have done upanayanam can be military or police:
Manu 10.79 - For the Kṣatriya, carrying of arms and weapons. For the
Vaiśya, ...
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About Girl child - What does Vedas and Shastras say in Sanatana Dharma.?
Just curious to know what do Vedas or Shastras say about a girl child? Like from when it's born to her journey of life.
Can someone give some references.?
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Is gold considered pure all the time as per the shastras?
Is gold considered still pure if it is worn all the time, after going in toilet or antyesthi? (Need Shastric Evidence).
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Which Sampradayas follow which Dharamshastras?
As I understand, the texts followed by devotees depend for the most part on which Sampradaya they are a part of. For example, people in the Nandinatha Sampradaya give more importance to the Shiv Puran ...
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Are we Sankaras ( संकर according to Bhagavat Geeta Chapter 1).?
In the first chapter of Sri mad Bhagavat Geeta, Arjuna said to Sri krishna that if this war happens then everyone in the world will become Sankara ( संकर)(Bhagavat Geeta 1.41-44) And later war ...
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What is the definition of sati (chaste women) as per scriptures?
In the light of scriptures, What is the definition of sati or a chaste women? Does it mean a women who never held sexual relationship throughout her life except with her husband post marriage OR Is it ...
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Are Brahmins allowed to use non-cow leather products?
Are Brahmins allowed to use non-cow leather products? Obtaining leather involves ahimsa, but many things Brahmins already use involve ahimsa like silk (killing worms alive), deerskin for Brahmacharis, ...
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Where can I get Smritis in english or Hindi Translation?
I was searching over the Internet for a long time to find and read the Smriti but it didn't help. Is there any source where I can read all 18 major & minor Smritis online or offline with ...
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Are the Puranas superior to the Smritis? [duplicate]
Do the Puranas have a greater authority than the Smritis? Or do the Smritis have a greater authority than the Puranas?
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According to Hindu scriptures, what do they say about leaving your parents?
I am somewhere in what you may call “dharma sankat” here.
I know such questions have been asked before but they do not ask it correctly or are answered partially.
Everyone has some negative traits but ...
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Is it valid to quote half-lines of ślokas?
While reading nibandhas like Nirṇayasindhu & Smṛtitattva, it is found that the authors often quoted half-verses instead of the entire verse. For example, Kamalākara Bhaṭṭa quotes 'शरत्काले महापूजा ...
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Can white chickpeas (chana) be offered as naivedyam in Puja?
Can white chickpeas (chana) be cooked and offered as naivedyam in Puja?
Thank you.
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How was Rama able to perform Ashvamedha?
According to Vedas and Mimamsa, a wife is required to perform Vedic yajnas like Ashvamedha because the wife does things in the yajna and also recites some mantras in the yajna. So, without a wife, one ...
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What are the rules of a student of the three vedas mentioned in Apastambasmriti Prasna 1? [duplicate]
Failure to be Initiated: If his time for initiation has lapsed, a man
should live observing the rules of a student of the three Vedas for
one season and then undergo initiation. For a year ...
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Can a non-initiated brahmin study the Puranas?
Can a non-initiated brahmin (usually considered a shudra (Skanda Purana Nagara Kanda 239.31)) study the Puranas?
I have heard that even Shudras can study the Puranas and Itihasas but Vyasasmriti 1.22 ...
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Why do Vedantin matha-adhipatis take Sannyasa ashrama?
The matha-adhipatis of the Vedantic sects like Sri Vaishnavism, Smartha, and Madhva are sannyasis. In fact, taking up sannyasa ashrama is a requirement to become matha-adhipati.
According to the ...
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Separation of the Church and State in Hinduism
The separation of Church (Religious Bodies) and State (Government and Administrative Bodies) is an important concept in modern politics.
Christians love to quote Matthew 22:21
“Give therefore to ...
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Prayaschittam citation
Does the Dharmic scriptures prohibhit Oral sex? For both sexes, man performing on woman and woman performing man, is oral sex prohibhited in Hinduism?
If so, what is the prayaschittam for oral sex? ...
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Is abortion permissible if life of mother is in danger?
I understand abortion in general is a sin as per the answers to this question here
But what if mother's life is in danger due to a complicated pregnancy. In that case is it permissible ? If not ...
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Instances and recommendations by Hindu Scriptures of higher castes working for the welfare of lower classes as public servants
In this rather biased and hinduphobic video spreads misinformation about Hinduism a lot, saying it was cruel and completely ignored the wellbeing of lower classes and exploited who were eventually ...
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What is the penance for a Brahmana who will get his Yagnopaveeta Samskara done after the prescribed time?
What is the penance for a Brahmana who will get his Yagnopaveeta Samskara done after the prescribed time?
I am actually not getting it done too late, like I am not getting in my late 20s or early 30s. ...
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Ucchista and its rules- when, how, what?
When one eats food from a few vessels, the food as well as those vessels become Ucchista (उच्छिष्ट) (the food and hand touch the mouth, the same used hand touches those vessels to take new food from ...
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On marriage within groups of the same caste
Kulinism was a practice unique to the Bengali Hindu society. Hagiographical accounts & extensive genealogical texts like Kūlapañjikās state that this system was introduced by a semi-legendary ...
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Closure of temples
Generally temples are closed during the afternoon. Can anybody enumerate the reasons why they are done so ? Quotes from our Dharmashastras, if any would be welcome.
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What are the 18 Smritis and what is the story behind having 18?
Just the way there are 18 Puranas, there are said to be 18 Smritis too. However unlike the list of the Puranas the lists of the 18 Smritis are inconsistent.
One list can be found here. There are some ...
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Do corrupt women also produce Varna-Sankara?
Gita 1:40 (Arjun says)
From the predominance of sin , O Krishna, women become corrupt , and then O descendant of Vrishni, cross-breeds are born.
Above verse of Gita indicates that when women become ...
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Does any dharma shastra not take reference to Manu/Kashyapa? Even by association
One thing that always struck me as odd about the Parashara smriti is how often it references Manu. The Vishnu Smriti is said by Vishnu, but in response to a desire to know what Kashyapa (reincarnated ...
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Women and Hinduism
It's traditionally believed that some hymns of Vedas have been authored by women. How does one reconcile this with the fact that women are not allowed to recite vedas? (Are those author women ...
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What do scriptures say about transgenders?
Are there any references to transgenders or transgenderism in any of the Hindu scriptures? Is it supportive, or is it against it? What do they say about their way of living?
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Has the killing of a cow been categorised as a mahapataka in any text or versions thereof?
In a particular text (not able to remember) there was a line which said that :A Brahmin, a woman and a cow must never be slain.
This statement is in line with the pancha mahapataka among which, is the ...
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After marriage why do papa and punya not come to women?
Why does paapa go to the husband if a wife commits paapa after marriage? Why does it not go to the wife?
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Can people of one vansha or one dynasty marry each other?
Like do people in suryavansha marry each other, if they are very distant relatives?
I once read somewhere that one can marry with someone, whose relations goes as far as 8th or more generation of ...
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Which are the books that a Hindu should read?
Which books are preferred the most for the below topics
1)to know what is dharma.
2)shastra(of do's and dont's)
3)Bhagavat Geeta bhashya.
4)Vyakarana.
5)Vedanta prakarana grantha.
Please suggest the ...
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