29
votes
Remarriage in Sanātana Dharma
In Hinduism, the bond of marriage has a great importance. Marriage is seen as a way to achieve Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha. Marrying once/monogamy is given an importance. Monogamy is one of the ...
- 25.4k
22
votes
Accepted
Shaving / Haircut / Nailcut - what days are allowed / prohibited?
Shaving/Haircut also called Kshoura Karma is not allowed on all days.
When shaving beard, start from right side. then cut the mustache, armpits and then at last haircut. Then shave whichever hairs ...
- 3,449
16
votes
How is "Patriotism" seen from the Hindu Dharma perspective?
The Vedas, in particular, do not have a limited (narrow) vision of patriotism. The Vedas clearly say that we all are the children of Mother Earth. Hence, we should love the whole earth as our ...
- 109k
16
votes
Accepted
Is this verse from the Brihaspati Smriti telling to kill rape victims?
Well, not only it is contradicting with common sense, it is also clearly against what Atri Rishi has to say in the Atri Smriti:
When, after delivery, the menstrual blood is seen, the woman becomes
...
- 109k
15
votes
Accepted
Do scriptures allow Hindus to marry foreigners?
No, the Dharma Shastras explicitly forbid Hindus from marrying foreigners, otherwise known as Mlecchas.
Here are some verses from the Atri Smriti that prohibit interracial marriages:
The purification ...
- 21.5k
14
votes
Accepted
What does this statement mean in the Atri Smriti about the Devas enjoying girls?
This is not what Atri Smriti or Vishnu Purana says. This is directly from Rigveda Samhita.
Smritis generally have the info which is taken from the Vedas. Sages usually refer to Vedas when they say ...
- 25.4k
13
votes
Accepted
Slavery in Hinduism
There were no slaves in the Hindu world like the equivalent of it in
the western world
The above statement is true.But we do have the concept of "dasa/dasi" or servants or (some translate it as) ...
- 109k
13
votes
How is "Patriotism" seen from the Hindu Dharma perspective?
In Hinduism, Earth and Bharatvarsh is considered as mother. And, in general, everyone love their mother.
Vishnu Purana says:
उत्तरम् यत् समुद्रस्य हिमाद्रे: चैव दक्षिणम्।
वर्षम् तद् भारतम् नाम भारती ...
- 23.5k
12
votes
Accepted
Any examples where a Smriti has contradicted a Sruti statement?
Adhyaya 1 Pada 3 of Purva Mimamsa Sutras of Jaimini discuss of Authority of Shruti and Smriti and Authority of Shruti being higher than Smriti.
Adhikarana 2 states:
Shruti (Veda) more ...
- 47.2k
12
votes
Accepted
Is the Manusmriti written to favor a particular Varṇa?
NOTE: Manusmriti critics have cherry-picked certain verses from the Manusmriti to show that Manu was unfair towards Shudras and partial towards Brahmins. The purpose of this answer is to provide the ...
- 21.5k
12
votes
Accepted
Why are Sudras fined very harshly for adultery whereas Dwijas aren't fined much? Also why is killing a Sudra same as killing animal?
Please do read the summary and appreciate the post as the detailed part is disastrously long.
Summary: There are a few things to keep in mind:
Adultery (intercourse outside marriage) is a sin.
...
- 9,937
12
votes
What is the male equivalent of a Widow called, in the scriptures?
Vidhura is the word used for a widower in Baudhayana Dharma Sutras 2.10.17.4:
Now we will explain the rule for entering the order of ascetics (saṃnyāsa).
Some (teachers say), 'He who has finished ...
- 109k
11
votes
Accepted
Is it permissible to deny the authority of Manusmriti?
Argument 1a)
Manusmriti 4.176 says
Let him avoid (the acquisition of) wealth and (the gratification of his) desires, if they are opposed to the sacred law, and even
lawful acts which may ...
- 4,715
11
votes
How can one save Sanatana Dharma?
You can not really save Dharma. You can follow it. And, by following it, you're doing what's required of you.
Like, from Devi Bhagavatam 11.1:
Deliverance of one's Self depends verily on his own ...
- 109k
11
votes
Accepted
What are the Prajapatya, Chandrayana, and Krcchra penances?
Prajapatya, Chandrayana and Krcchra are the penances done for the expiation of some certain sins as you have described in your question.
Prajapatya is defined in Manu Smriti, Chapter 11, Verse 211 as:...
- 23.5k
10
votes
How is "Patriotism" seen from the Hindu Dharma perspective?
There are shlokas in Hindu scriptures which may be interpreted as patriotic.
It seems that the gods sing songs to this purport. Those who live in
this part of the world called Bharata are in fact ...
- 34.8k
10
votes
Accepted
How do we decide what is dharma and adharma?
What is dharma and adharma is determined by scripture. Krishna says in the Gita (XVI. 23-24):
He who discards the injunctions of the scriptures and acts upon impulse of desire attains neither ...
- 23.6k
10
votes
Accepted
What were the set of rights, permissions, duties or rules prescribed for Kshatriya caste?
The duties of Kshatriyas are mentioned in many scriptures. Let us take an example from the Kurma Purana:
The kshatriyas constitute the second of the four classes. They were created from Brahma’s arms....
- 18.8k
10
votes
What scriptures other than Dharma Sindhu say sins are stored in hair?
Chapter 29, Prabhas Khanda of Skand Puran says so...
Iswara said:
O Daughter Of the Mountain, whatever sin a man commits when in straitened circumstances due to want Of Sustenance, all that sin
...
- 23.5k
10
votes
Accepted
Does Neo-Vedanta reject Dharma Shastras? If so, why?
Not sure what Neo-Vedanta is, but I am answering with the views of Swami Vivekananda on the subject.
Source: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 3/Lectures from Colombo to Almora/The Sages ...
- 109k
10
votes
Accepted
Do all Non-Hindus remain as Pretas after death?
Usana Smriti's Chapter 7 has the following verse:
It is laid down that Sapindikaran, S'raddha should be preceeded by the
Daiva, (i.e., offerings made to the Deities). There one should invite
the ...
- 109k
9
votes
What do scriptures say regarding Immigration & Emigration?
Where is it mentioned that such journey is prohibited?
Chapter 22, "Varnasramavidhi" (Rules to be followed by four Varnas) of Brihan Naradiya Purana states "Samudrayatra" (voyage over sea) is ...
- 30.8k
9
votes
Accepted
What scriptures other than Dharma Sindhu say sins are stored in hair?
It is so said in ParAshara Smriti's (PS) Chapter 9.
Whatever sin a man commits attaches itself to his hair. Hence he should clip his hairs to the length of two fingers' width from their
end.
...
- 109k
9
votes
Accepted
What are the order & duties of the children born from intermixing/hybridisation of 4 classes?
First of all, the sons who are born out of proscribed marriages will not belong to any of the 4 castes (varna-s). As there is no 5th caste, they all will belong to the unknown caste or the out-cast. ...
- 109k
9
votes
Accepted
Is there any verse or historical evidence suggesting that manusmriti is more authoritative than other smritis?
1) Among Dharmasmritis(Manusmriti, Naradasmriti , Parashara
Smriti,Yajnavalkya Smrti ... etc) , is there any verse or historical
evidence which suggests that manusmriti is more authoritative/...
- 21.5k
9
votes
Accepted
Can dharma śāstras be suspended during emergencies?
According to Parashara Smriti (PS), during "ApatkAla" or during an emergency, following/maintaining Dharma must take a backseat. Preserving one's life, at that time, is the only priority. And, one ...
- 109k
9
votes
Except for baudhyana dharma sutras which other dharma sastras talk about loss of caste due to sea voyage?
The Manu Smriti also mentions undertaking sea voyage as a prohibited act. One becomes fallen/degraded by doing so.
For example, in the list of all the persons who are not considered fit to be invited ...
- 109k
8
votes
Do any texts explicitly forbid Hindus from eating beef?
Almost every scripture prohibit the consumption of beef(cow meat).
Vedas
Atharvaveda 10:1:29. The slaughter of an innocent, O Krityā, is an awful deed. Slay not cow, horse, or man of ours. In ...
- 7,500
8
votes
Accepted
What is the Apasthambha sutra? And is eating cow meat considered holy according to it?
The Grihya Sutras are scriptures that detail the rules and regulations regarding Vedic domestic rituals for householders (Griha - House in Sanskrit). There are various such Sutras written by different ...
- 18.8k
8
votes
Accepted
Which Shastras are more authoritative,the Smritis(Dharma Shastras) or the Puranas?
Here is my answer which is based on the Devi Bhagavatam & the Vyasa Smriti.
The Devi Bhagavatam states that in such situations the views of the Puranas are to be rejected .In other words,the ...
- 109k
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