Questions tagged [dharma-shastras]
Dharmaśāstra (Sanskrit: धर्मशास्त्र) is a genre of Sanskrit texts, and refers to the treatises (shastras) of Hinduism on dharma.
112 questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
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Why should temples be closed during an eclipse?
Any reference in the Hindu scriptures (Vedas, Agamas, shastras, etc.) on why temples should remain closed during an eclipse (grahana)?
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What is the significance of bride leading the groom during Saptapadi?
This question has nothing to do with feminism or anything else. In Vedic or Hindu religion every step has deep meaning or significance. I know the significance of sacred oaths taken during Saptapadi. ...
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What is the story of Kapila son of Prahlada?
It is well-known that there are four Ashramas or stages of life in Hinduism: Brahmacharis or celibates, Grihastis or householder, Vanaprasthis or forest-dwellers, and Sanyasis or ascetics. What is ...
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References from scriptures about prohibition of menstruating women from temples, pujas etc
I am doing a research on this topic and searching for references for it. I am especially looking for references to Ashaucha related to menses, any specific guideline regarding what actions are ...
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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 ...
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Is Adi Shankaracharya's commentary on the Adhyatma Patala available online in English?
It is well-known that Adi Shankaracharya wrote commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishada, the Brahma Sutras, and the Vishnu Sahasranamam. But there's one commentary that's not as well known.
...
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What is meant by the “Yogic Slumber” of Bhagwan Vishnu?
I heard a description of Bhagwan Vishnu which says that the he is in “Yogic Slumber”
What exactly happens in this condition?Please explain “yogic slumber” in detail.
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Details on the Original Upāṅga viz. Dharmaśāstra of Prajāpati Manu and the abridged one by Sumati
Understanding Scriptures - Part 1
Summary: through this question I would like to gain as much insight as possible about the original Dharmashastra of Manu containing 1,00,000 verses and also try to ...
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What is the reason behind closing the village/street/agrahara temple in case of a death in the nearby area?
I have seen this several times, that temples are closed if there is a death in the houses in the vicinity. To clarify, vicinity has a variable scope here; sometimes it's a street, sometimes an ...
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How is the ritual of Vratyastoma performed?
Vratyastoma, is a ritual performed by Vratyas (people who have failed to perform Upanayana in time) to readmit themselves to the fold of Varnashrama Dharma. Many Westerners who convert into Hinduism ...
user9969
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Have any Hindu acharyas commented on the amendability of Dharma Shastras?
A poster writes "This samudrolanghana [loss of caste due to seafaring] was made up fear so that Brahmins learned in Vedas don't move out of the country and lose the Veda sakha."
However, this is all ...
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Why is food smelt by a cow impure when cow's dung and urine is used for purification rites?
Manu-smṛti 5.123:
पक्षिजग्धं गवा घ्रातमवधूतमवक्षुतम् ।
दूषितं केशकीटैश्च मृत्प्रक्षेपेण शुध्यति ॥ १२३ ॥
pakṣijagdhaṃ gavā ghrātamavadhūtamavakṣutam |
dūṣitaṃ keśakīṭaiśca ...
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Is it okay to Ignore Jananashucha from distant relative(but sapinda)
Janaashucha is the period of impurity after birth in family. Manu Smriti prescribes Janashucha for the period of 10,12,15,30 days for the four Varnas respectively
A Brahmana shall be pure after ...
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What is the difference between Sati and Jauhar?
Is Jauhar the same as Sati? If not what is the difference and what is the origin of these terms?
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Is the practice of Gayatri Parivar allowing everyone to undergo Upanayana (Janaeu) ceremony adharmika?
It's a well-known fact about the Gayatri Parivar's stance on allowing everyone (including married women, non-Hindus, and Śhūdras, etc.) to undergo the sacred thread ceremony (Upanayana or Yagnopavita ...
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Can a son perform amavasya tarpanam in place of his sick father?
Doing tarpanam (water libations) on the day of Amavasya is a well-known fact. My father was doing it very sincerely on all Amavasyas.
But now, since he became very old and has health issues, he is not ...
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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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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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What are the rules for polygamy?
While people may debate if men marrying multiple wives or women marrying multiple husbands is ideal, the simple fact is both happen in Hinduism and are clearly at least allowed in some situations, ...
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What should we do of belongings of the person who is no more?
What should we do of belongings of the person who is no more? Like what should we do with cloths and other things of that person?
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Manusmriti with commentary of Kulluka Bhatta
I am looking for translated versions (English/Hindi) of Manusmriti with commentary of Kulluka Bhatta online .
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Why tirupathi's doors are not allowed to be widened?
As I was watching series about Tirupati Tirumala Documentary on National Geographic, as per them they are following some aadama shastra and as per that even if they want they won't be allowed to ...
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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 ...
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Which Dharma Sutras are valid according to Sri Vaishnavas?
Which Dharma Sutras are valid? Is every Dharma Sutra named after a historic Rishi with the affix "Sutra" or "Shastra" or "Smriti" valid?
On wisdomlib.org for this Manusmriti verse, Ganganath Jha ...
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Do one needs to follow his own Dharma Sutra or all Dharma Sutras?
I have read that there are many Dharma Sutra like Apasthamba Sutra, Gauthama Sutra, Baudhyana Sutra,etc. My question is that Do we need to follow only his own Dharma Sutra got by birth or all of the ...
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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 ...
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Is it true that Madhvācārīs used to emboss their bodies with hot iron blocks?
This article, Urdhapundra – The Vaishnavite Tilak, claims:
The Madhvacharis use hot iron blocks to emboss their bodies, especially the shoulders, with the four symbols of Vishnu.
Questions:
Is the ...
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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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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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The case of Infertility and Dharma
As per the Baudhayana Dharmasutra (BD)
A man who ejaculates his semen in any place other than the vagina
becomes equal to a thief and to a murderer of a Brahmin. [BD 3.7]
AND also
The Gautama ...
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Good and reliable books editions about pujas and Vastu?
Where to find complete Shastras or others like Agamas scriptures in order to know Why and How certain foods or flowers or scents are more appreaciated by a Deva if compared to something other to offer ...
user22667
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When did 13 years pass in 13 days?
In Mahabharata there is mention that it is written in shastras that there are some special occasions in which 13 years pass in 13 days.
When the high-souled Partha went to Indra's region for ...
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How to thank god in sanskrit/hindi in Sanatan Dharm?
How to thank god in sanskrit/hindi in Sanatan Dharm? As christians use hallelujah, muslim use allahmudillah !!
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Forgotten culture from centuries
Many people want to follow their culture as their ancestor was following centuries back.
But unfortunately they are not having enough knowledge about this, so they are forced to neglect and start ...
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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 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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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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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 ...
user27805
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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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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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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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Is there any scriptural opposition to humane animal slaughter?
Note that I'm not talking about general ethics - I mean only from a religious scriptural perspective.
To give you full context on why I have this question:
Because cow slaughter is banned in many ...
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Is sagotra vivah lawful with exceptions?
Is this true that a couple of same gotra can marry if they have different shasana or this a misconception developed in masses these days ?
If yes, what does this term shasana mean ? Please share the ...
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To what extent should a Hindu follow the rules of a country with a Non-Hindu majority?
To what extent should a Hindu follow the rules of a country (with a Non-Hindu majority) and where is the limit when a Hindu has to protest or to disobey?
Also, which rights of the Hindu religion ...
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Are all Gods and Goddesses omnipresent?
NOTE: I am not just talking about Krishna, but all Devatās. Most answers here tend to be Vaishnava-centric, and only cite examples involving Krishna or Vishnu.
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Why do only some Brahmins have a tuft of hair? Is it mandatory to cut the tuft of hair before leaving India?
Why is it that some Brahmins have a tuft of hair and some don't? Is it optional?
Furthermore, the great Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan before leaving to Cambridge University cut his tuft ...
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Availability of English translations for commentaries of Gautama Dharmasūtra
Gautama Dharmasūtra is a Sanskrit text and likely one of the oldest Hindu Dharmasutras (600-200 BCE), whose manuscripts have survived into the modern age.
From this source
There are two extant ...
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How do Sri Vaishnavas interpret this Sutra of the Apastamba Dharma Sutras?
Apastamba Dharma Sutras (2.9.21.13) - Abandoning truth and falsehood, pleasure and pain, the Vedas, this
world and the next, he shall seek the ātman.
My question is about the abandoning the "truth ...
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