All Questions
Tagged with dharma-shastras caste-system
29 questions
1
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0
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50
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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 ...
- 2,413
0
votes
2
answers
100
views
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.
- 814
1
vote
1
answer
63
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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 ...
- 814
3
votes
1
answer
235
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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 ...
- 814
0
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1
answer
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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 ...
- 814
1
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0
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36
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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 ...
- 814
3
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2
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597
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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 ...
- 22.5k
2
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0
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336
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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, ...
- 22.5k
1
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0
answers
103
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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 ...
- 2,609
2
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1
answer
150
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Is there a punishment for non-dvijas recititing "Bhavati bhīkṣāṃ dehi" or the other forms of it?
In Manu Smriti for example it is said:
2.49 An initiated Brahmana should beg, beginning (his request with the word) lady (bhavati); a Kshatriya,
placing (the word) lady in the middle, but a Vaisya, ...
- 655
4
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1
answer
334
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Switching caste was possible in ancient India. However, Dharmashastras do not have such provisions. Why?
In ancient times, switching between castes was possible.
There are many Kshatriyas who became Brahmin. For example, the elder brother of King Shantanu of Mahabharata became a brahmin. In fact, he ...
- 7,516
4
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3
answers
815
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How can Garuda eating Nishadas be justified?
I am currently reading Bibek Debroy's translation of the Mahabharata. In Volume 1, Section 5; Garuda asks his mother what he should eat, and his mother replies,
The nishadas have their excellent home ...
- 51
3
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1
answer
885
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Does scripture uniformly agree with this citation from Parashara smriti?
Parashara Smriti 8.25 says:
25. Even a Brahmin of a bad character deserves respect;
but not so a Shudra, even though his passions may
have been subdued by him. Who would quit a wicked cow,
...
- 1
7
votes
3
answers
820
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What does the Bhagavad Gita mean when it says caste is based on Gunas? Does it mean trained, external behavior, or genetic predisposition?
What does the Bhagavad Gita mean when it says caste is based on Gunas? Does it mean trained, external behavior, or genetic predisposition?
For reference, this verse says,
4.13 - The [social] ...
- 22.5k
5
votes
1
answer
646
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Has any ancient or medieval Vedic scholar refuted the guna-based varna theory?
Followers of Vivekananda and reformist Hindus today such as Arya Samaj believe that caste is determined by someone's external behavior. For example, if someone is pious, he should be a Brahmin.
Has ...
- 22.5k
4
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0
answers
191
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Which Veda Shaka, Gotra etc, will a person should follow after he was converted into Brahmin, Kshatriya or Vaishya?
All Smritis are clear that Varna is primarily based on birth. A person born as a Brahmin will lose his status if his conduct is not good, but even if a person born as a Shudra has good conduct, he ...
- 3,969
11
votes
4
answers
3k
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Is the Manusmriti written to favor a particular Varṇa?
Critics say the Manusmriti is pro-Brahmin, and written by casteist Brahmins by favoring a particular section of society and thereby oppressing Shudras, women, and other lower castes.
Edit Note: While ...
- 22.5k
7
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4
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3k
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Is it permissible to deny the authority of Manusmriti?
Is it permissible to deny the authority of Manusmriti considering that all the four major schools of Hinduism(Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism and Smarta tradition) only consider Vedas and Upanishads ...
- 649
6
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2
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240
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Was Satī (sahagamana) limited one particular varṇa (kṣatriya)? Was it also applicable to brāhmaṇa and other women?
When it was allowed, was the practice of Satī a.k.a sahagamana meaning 'going with' or sahamaraṇa ('dying with') limited to one particular varṇa, the kṣatriya?
Or was it applicable to brāhmaṇa and ...
- 31.2k
11
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4
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5k
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What is dharma for Mlecchas according to Hinduism?
Dharma is eternal and fixed. Each varna in Hinduism has its own dharma, which is defined by the Vedas.
What is the dharma for Mlecchas?
- 22.5k
7
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0
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409
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Why do Brahmacharis who break the vow of celibacy need to sacrifice a donkey as atonement?
From Apastamba Dharma Sutras 1.9.26.8:
A [student] who has broken the vow of chastity, shall offer to Nirṛiti
an ass, according to the manner of the Pāka-yajña-rites.
This same Prayaschitta is ...
- 22.5k
10
votes
2
answers
2k
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How to recover from lost caste status after crossing an ocean?
Based on what I know, the most loss of Hindutva that can happen is loss of caste (which would include the right to cremate one's parents), for example for crossing the ocean.
From here:
Baudhayana ...
- 1
11
votes
3
answers
3k
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What are the order & duties of the children born from intermixing/hybridisation of 4 classes?
There are 4 classes in descending order:
BrAhmaNa
Kshatriya
Vaishya
Shudra
If a man of class X mates with a woman of class X, then definitely the child will inherit the class X.
How the ...
- 19.9k
4
votes
0
answers
156
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Is "Democracy" naturally in accordance of "Dharma" (righteousness)?
"Democracy" was not famous until last few centuries. Famous political system till then was "Dynastic". i.e. the dynasty was not only prevalent among the ruler clan (i.e. Kshatriya), but also ...
- 19.9k
2
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0
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223
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Why suthak applies for different number of days in different casts?
Why suthak effects on people for different days in defferent region or cast? I did read THIS ANSWER and came to know about suthak. But from the answer and also from the comment section of this answer ...
- 3,699
10
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2
answers
1k
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Difference/Relation between Varna and Jati
We know that there are four Varna(वर्ण) called Brahmin, kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. I found words/terms like Jati(जाति) and Jnati(ज्ञाति) are also used to convey similar meanings. One another ...
- 26.2k
4
votes
2
answers
1k
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What would be the varna of son born out of Ugra father & Kshatriya Woman?
What would be the Varna of a son born out of Ugra father & Kshatriya mother?
From Manu smriti chapter 10
From a Kshatriya and the daughter of a Sudra springs a being, called Ugra, resembling ...
- 15.7k
1
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0
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246
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What is the exact dharma to be followed in case of a marriage outside the caste or religion? [duplicate]
What exactly does the dharma say in the tricky circumstances or situation where a brahmin community girl loves and willing to marry a non-brahmin hindu/non-religion boy.
What Dharma is to be ...
- 732
10
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1
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4k
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What were the set of rights, permissions, duties or rules prescribed for Kshatriya caste?
We have 4 major caste in Hinduism, ie Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. Is there any rulebook present in Hinduism (and I am sure there must be) which lays down the rights, permissions, rules and ...
- 10.2k