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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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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Krishna's Marriage Age
Did Bhagavan Sri Krishna marry wives older than himself isn't that against the Dharmashastras or is this simply a liberal's myth?
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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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Natural Rights in Dharmashastras
During the Enlightenment, John Locke proposed a series of natural rights all humans are entitled does Dharmashastras have something similar.
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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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Women in Dharmashastras
Why are men continually considered the head of the household in Dharmashastras. I don't mean to be rude and in old times it was far more efficient to have it this way due to the nature of work itself. ...
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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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Manu on verse 8.33 on stealing lost property
As per Manu 8.33 it states, "Property that has been lost and found should remain in the charge of specially deputed (officials); and the thieves that he may detect in connection with this, the ...
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What exactly are the Hindu laws for 'avarna' or dalit people?
I want to know that in Hindu scriptures from Vedas to Puranas to Smritis to Shastras, what are the laws regarding avarna people (people outside of varna system)? I want to see some actual quotes. I ...
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Ordeals and their weight on Dharmashastras
Ordeals or divine tests were prescribed based on Dharmashastras, but is this fair in regards to running a kingdom? Why was the logic behind them from a legal and justice standpoint and a theological/...
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Reintegration of mixed Varnas into society based on morality
While birth is a feature of mixed castes, it seems their violent nature was also discussed. Is there any text that explicitly states that a mixed Varna member with good morality can integrate into a ...
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How did one become a dasa and is it consented upon
From what I heard a dasa/shudra could consent to servitude. My question is how does one become a Dasa/Dasi?
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When can one disobey Superior person's orders?
Pranam,
Like order of Father Husband or Guru etc..
Please provide scriptural references..
Thanks
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What is the difference between Mleccha and Yavana?
Is there any difference between mlecchas and Yavanas? Or these two words can be used interchangeably? Both are foreigners, I guess.
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Is inter-faith marriage (marriage with a Yavana) allowed in Hinduism?
I recently saw a video of a renowned modern-day Guru Sri Sri Ravishankar, where he said inter-religious marriages are fine if the partner is spiritual. I wondered whether this is the teaching of Hindu ...
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Itihasa and Dharmashastra, Nitishastra and Dharmasutra
What were the rules used by the famous kingdoms during the events of Ramayana and Mahabharata? If none is provided would it be fair to assume that the Dharmasutras were the sacred law? Also if not ...
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Dharmashastras used in Valmiki Ramayana & Mahabharta
Dharma/Niti shastras were used in Ram Rajyam and other popular kingdoms in Mahabharata and Ramayana.
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Shukra Neeti in Mahabharta and Ramayana?
Is Shukra Niti a real text if so, was it used to govern Ram Rajyam or kingdoms in Mahabharata? If not is it mentioned if so how. Is this a good substitute for Dharmashastras? I am confused. Are their ...
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Freedom of Dasas in scripture
So, first I would like to know how someone becomes a Dasa and then can be freed, or liberated from being a Dasa.
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What if Guru's order is contrary to scriptures should it still be followed?
Namaste,
Can a student obey a Guru's order if Guru orders something which is against scriptures?
Please provide scriptural proof in this regard..
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Can brahmins of different regions such as AP/KA or north India wear PurvaShikha or is it only for brahmins of Kerala and Tamil Nadu?
I have a friend who is from Karnataka but was wearing a purvashikha... is it permitted??
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How do Hindus wash genitals and anus during bath?
According to the shastras, one should wear a cloth while bathing/showering.
This is one reason why Krishna stole the gopis' clothes.
But if you're wearing underwear while showering, how are you ...
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regulations in Kali Yuga regarding hearing the vEda
It is discussed in the question here: Definition and ritualistc rights of vrAtyas in the present day that mostly everyone except the brAmhanas are vrAtyas (and thus entitled to the rights of sUdras).
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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).
