Questions tagged [smriti]

For the questions about Smriti (Sanskrit:स्मृति) (literally "which is remembered") scriptures. These texts are usually attributed to an author and produced out of human intellect.

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Scriptural References on Code of Conduct in Marriage for wife

Manusmriti, I guess, states as : A woman is never supposed to live independently. During young age, she is to live under the protection of her father, after being married, under her husband, and ...
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1 answer
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Where is the shloka "bramha janati iti brahmanaha" found?

Where is this verse found "The knower of Brahman is a Brahmin"
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How should disabled people live their life?

Disabled people have difficulty leading lives like normal people, like career, marriage,etc. So, do scriptures tell specifically about their duties or how should they lead their life in case its ...
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1 answer
131 views

Is Lord Shiva praised as Supreme in any Smritis?

I am interested to know if any of the 18 Smritis, or Grihyasutras, Srauta Sutras etc praise Shiva as the Supreme and endorse Saivite practices like Bhasmadhārana,and Tripundra etc.
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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 ...
3 votes
1 answer
316 views

Wasting Sperm on masturbation

Suppose, a couple is trying for a child. In that case, prior to that, how long should the husband conserve the semen (avoid masturbation/or sex) for a good child. Like, I have read scientific works ...
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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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0 answers
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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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54 views

Are all Upanishads shruti?

Are all 108 Upanishads considered shruti? Or is it just the Mukhya Upanishads that are considered shruti?
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1 answer
164 views

Which texts are infallible and inerrant?

The Vedas must be infallible, as they were authored by God, or by rishis under the inspiration of God, who is the “Truth of Truth”. Therefore every passage of the Vedas is true, whether literally or ...
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1 answer
81 views

From which shastra is the story of a wife and her husband Kaushik who was visiting prostitutes?

The story is mentioned here in wikipedia: A Brahmin named Kaushik from Pratishthan used to visit a prostitute, despite being a Brahmin and having a devoted wife. It's also mentioned on other sites ...
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Are there any documented cases of opposite-sex friendships in Hindu scripture?

Are there any documented stories or cases of non-sexual friendship between men and women in Hindu scripture? For reference, the Kama Sutra says sex with female friends is prohibited: Then, here is ...
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Why should we not get haircut and shave (trimming nails) when wife is pregnant

Can someone tell me what are the rituals to be followed by a brahmin when the wife is pregnant? I've heard that we should not cut hair and shave? Is it only shave or haircut also? Should both be ...
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Scriptural source for saying animal sacrifice and non vegetarian food for Brahmins are not for Kali Yuga

One can see ample amount of evidences for animal sacrifice and Brahmins eating meat in Vedic and Smriti literature. When I pointed out this to a learned Pandit, he just said it has been forbidden in ...
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2 votes
0 answers
31 views

What are the rules of a student of the three vedas mentioned in Apastambasmriti Prasna 1?

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 ...
5 votes
4 answers
316 views

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 ...
2 votes
1 answer
239 views

Is Manu Smriti mentioned in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata?

It is popular traditional belief that Manu Smriti was there before Ramayana and Mahabharata. So does Manu Smriti find any mention in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata? Are any passages quoted in the ...
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Is Harihara abheda mentioned in Smritis like Manu Smriti?

Is Harihara abheda (non-difference of Vishnu and Shiva) mentioned in the Smritis like Manusmriti or any other 17 Smritis?
2 votes
3 answers
439 views

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 ...
4 votes
1 answer
208 views

Is one Maternal Nephew (Bhanja) equivalent to 100 Brahmins?

What is the status of one's maternal nephew (Bhanaja) in one's life ? Is it true that one maternal nephew equivalent to 100 Brahmins ? In which scripture it is written ? Is it true that one shouldn't ...
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1 vote
1 answer
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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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1 answer
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Punishment for Blasphemy? [duplicate]

Is there any punishment for blasphemy in Hinduism? Do any scriptures or Smritis say how a King or a government should punish the blasphemer? The speaker of This video, Henry Doktorski, claims the ...
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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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The source of the saying Smruthi changes with time?

I have heard this so many times by the word of mouth and read it many times, from sources I can't remember, that Shruthi remains constant but Smruthi changes with time. What is the source of this? ...
2 votes
0 answers
114 views

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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6 votes
1 answer
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Are there any relaxations for dharmas based on seasons?

It is well known that some dharmas are relative wrt time, place, person, etc. I want to know whether the same applies to the season. There are several seasons in nature such as winter, summer, etc. ...
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4 votes
0 answers
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What are the fasting rules for 'triratri vrata' followed by Lila?

Lila did a vrata for pleasing Saraswathi. Fewer details have been given in Yoga Vasista regarding the fasting rules of the vrata. The relevant excerpts regarding fasting rules are given below Having ...
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4 votes
1 answer
146 views

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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Smriti vs Purana

Which Shastras are more authoritative,the Smritis(Dharma Shastras) or the Puranas? from here it is clear that smriti is superior than purana and if differences occur then smriti is to be believed . ...
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Questions regarding Manusmriti?

There were some questions regarding Manusmriti, you are requested to kindly give the solution of our doubts. [Chapter 4, verses 7 to 9] Why is the brahmin who keeps the food collection for a day, ...
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1 answer
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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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4 votes
1 answer
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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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5 votes
2 answers
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Is Tripundra mentioned in the Smritis?

I would like to know about whether Tripundra is mentioned in any of the Smritis? Does any Smriti talk about Tripundra? Does any Smriti ask Brahmins to keep Tripundra?
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Are Vaishnavas & Smartas completely uninformed about third eye awakening?

Supernatural powers are mainly found in Shaiv & Shaakt scriptures and I don't think a single Vaishnav guru or Shankaracharya has third eye powers. Is third eye completely missing from Vaishnav &...
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6 votes
2 answers
633 views

Is there any punishment mentioned in Dharmashastras for the vilification of Vedas?

I was wondering whether criticizing the Vedas is a condemnable offence. In other religions, usually condemning the scripture can have a severe consequence. What about Hinduism?
4 votes
2 answers
397 views

Is it possible to follow some parts of Dharmashastras, but not everything written in it?

I was wondering whether it is possible to follow Dharmashastras partially. Is there such provision in Dharmashastras? Or do Dharmashastras categorically say that you have to follow it in its entirety?
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"When Smriti conflicts with Sruti, Sruti should be followed" - which SRUTI says this?

Quote which Sruti (Veda) says "Sruti is more important/takes precedence over Smriti". To clarify, in case it wasn't already crystal clear - DO NOT quote Smriti
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1 answer
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Why is Dantadhamana or brushing of teeth prohibited for Brahmacharis?

Here's the verse from Sadachara Smriti of Shri Madhwacharya. All the above austerities hold good both for Gruhastas (married people) and Vanaprastas. Except Vaishvadeva, Baliharana and Dantadhamana – ...
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0 votes
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Does smriti allows king to make new constitution?

Do smriti allows to make constitution ? My point is smriti is supreme constitution.under smriti can king can make new rules and new punishment . Do smriti/vedic/puranic scriptures given freedom to ...
2 votes
1 answer
925 views

Why do Brahmins from Bengal eat fish?

Brahmins from other parts of India, as far as I know, avoid eating fish. This answer (Are Brahmins who eat fish fallen Brahmins?) showed that it is indeed forbidden. So why do Brahmins from Bengal (...
5 votes
1 answer
194 views

Once Yudhishthira said, "When my heart approveth of it, it can never be sinful." Is this kind of statement approved by any authoritative texts?

During Draupadi's marriage, there was a dilemma regarding whether five brothers can marry a single bride. Draupadi's father, King Drupada, and her brother were all against it, quite naturally. In this ...
3 votes
1 answer
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Is there any way to control uncontrollable or deviating thoughts according to Shastras?

I want to know if our Shastras mention how to control uncontrollable or deviating thoughts especially during prayer,Japa or Sadhna?
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1 answer
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Is there any correction for varnasankara?

Is it true that the varna sankara in a lineage gets cleared after 7 generations, if it is not repeated in successive generations? If yes, please provide some scriptural evidence to support it.
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6 votes
1 answer
575 views

What is the punishment of lesbian sex, according to Smritis?

Manu declared that if a man does it to another man, he has to perform the Santapana penance (11.174*). What if a woman does it to another woman? *Reference - Manu's Code of Law - a critical Edition by ...
4 votes
1 answer
255 views

Why, in general, consanguineous marriage is not allowed?

I have seen in my society that cousin marriage is not encouraged. What is the basis of this view? I am asking about scriptural injunctions. Has Smritis categorically disapproved it? I have seen these ...
4 votes
0 answers
520 views

According to Smriti Shastras, what punishment is prescribed for a girl who lost virginity before marriage?

I suppose Smriti Shastras do not encourage sex before marriage. But these days, it is pretty common. I want to know the views of Smriti Shastras on it. What kind of punishment is prescribed for girls? ...
2 votes
1 answer
335 views

Why almost all Hindu scriptures are written by Non-Brahmins (as per Smritis)? [closed]

As per smritis only people born to parents who are both Brahmin parents can be Brahmins. For example, in Manusmriti 10.5, 10.10 and 10.14 it says: सर्ववर्णेषु तुल्यासु पत्नीष्वक्षतयोनिषु । आनुलोम्येन ...
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6 votes
2 answers
507 views

Do Smriti Shastras have any provision that allows changes with time?

Smriti Shastras dictates rules to govern society. However, with time society changes. What were relevant thousand years back may not be relevant today. Have Smriti Shastras have any such option to ...
3 votes
1 answer
295 views

Is it mandatory for Hindus to treat constitution of the country as a smriti? [closed]

Smritis are the scriptures of sanathan dharma, providing the rules and regulations to lead life. In general, a Hindu should follow the smriti texts by Rishis. There is no ambiguity in it. Every ...
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4 votes
1 answer
785 views

What is the punishment for raping a woman according to Smriti?

Just curious to know what is the punishment for raping a woman according to Smriti Shastras? I am talking about the general case. NOT any specific case like marital rape (Punishment for marital rape?)....