9
votes
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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 ...
- 111k
8
votes
Was there a process of impeachment if a king was found to be in violation of dharma?
I have not seen any process of impeachment. However, the idea that an oppressive king should be removed is there in Hindu scripture. A king's plea that he is above the law is also rejected in Hindu ...
- 35.8k
7
votes
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Was there a process of impeachment if a king was found to be in violation of dharma?
No such thing as impeachment is found in the Smritis. But I've found something relevant in the Mahanirvana Tantra's 11th Chapter, which talks about Prayaschittas (expiatory rites), regarding what ...
- 111k
6
votes
Are there any legitimate reasons for initiating war?
There are four measures (to be applied in that order), viz - Sama (peacemaking), Dana (buying off with gifts), Bheda (dissension), and finally Danda (punishment/force or war), for the king to apply on ...
- 111k
5
votes
Separation of the Church and State in Hinduism
No.
In Hinduism the King rules by the Divine Right. So, the State & the Religion are intrinsically interconnected in Hinduism.
Manu-Smriti says the following in this regard.
Verse 7.3-4
अराजके हि ...
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5
votes
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Who is this King Bhavya who lived on the banks of Indus?
I am herewith providing more details of the story of King Bhavya or King Swanaya mentioned in Rig-Veda mandala 1- Sukta 126. The story is present in both this as well as in previous sukta i.e. ...
- 31.9k
5
votes
What are these incidents mentioned by Lord Shiva as examples of helping his devotees?
The same Shiva Purana mention two of these incident of Lord Shiva saving his devotees.
The 20 & 21st chapters of Kotirudra Samhita mentiones the incident of Shiva saving king Sudakshina in ...
- 1,083
4
votes
Who was the earliest Sudra king?
Who was the earliest Sudra king?
The first Shudra king existed in Kali Yuga. Shudras being kings is a symptom of Kali Yuga.
From the Vishnu Purana on the symptoms of Kali Yuga:
In the Kali age ...
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4
votes
Is Yamunacharya correct in stating that Brahmins cannot be crowned kings?
Yes, he is correct because a king, who does not come from a Kshatriya family, is considered as degraded in the scriptures. So, a Brahmin becoming a king is not approved by the Dharma sastras.
See the ...
- 111k
4
votes
Was there a process of impeachment if a king was found to be in violation of dharma?
Concept of the divine king-Origin
The earliest evidence of the origin of kingship in India is found in the Aitareya Brahmana, a later Vedic text, which tells of a war between gods and demons .The ...
- 6,018
4
votes
Accepted
Can Sanyasis be rulers according to scriptures?
According to scriptures --- No way.. It is evident even from common sense ..
First of all, one who has renounced should not live in his native place. After he has renounced he has to start living in ...
- 111k
3
votes
Accepted
Did any king perform tapasya for a female child?
There could be many examples, but two of them are as follows.:
Daksha Prajapati (Prajapati means Lord of the Prajas (People or Subjects) viz a King) did tapasya to get Mother Uma as his daughter.
Sri ...
3
votes
Separation of the Church and State in Hinduism
In Valmiki Ramayana, Lord Rama said that a King should serve all his subjects without any discrimination.
तेषाम् गुप्ति परीहारैः कच्चित् ते भरणम् कृतम् |
रक्ष्या हि राज्ना धर्मेण सर्वे विषय वासिनः || ...
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3
votes
Accepted
What can a king do to prevent Rudra from destroying his kingdom and people?
What can a king do to prevent Rudra from destroying his kingdom and
people?
By offering the Ashvamedha.
After the sacrificial horse has been slain in the year-long Ashvamedha ritual performed by ...
- 21.9k
3
votes
Accepted
Of whose wealth is the king regarded to be the lord of?
Any property that is abandoned in the state belongs to the king.
Any of these is lost to the owner when it is used by someone else
continuously for ten years. 18 But they also quote a verse to the
...
- 111k
3
votes
What are the occupations of brothers of a king?
A brief answer can be found in a book named "Studies in Hindu Law and Dharmaśāstra" written by Ludo Rocher . Page 337.
The author is quoting Shukra Niti Sara (शुक्रनिती सार) . And is clearly ...
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3
votes
For how many manvantaras did Prithu rule the Earth?
Maharaj Prithu ruled till end of 6th Manvantara i.e. Chakusha Manvantara
He was succeeded by Vaivasvata Manu of Solar dynasty
From Matsya's Purana Chap 8
3
votes
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Why did Shivaji not ban the Sati custom altogether in his kingdom, whereas he stopped his mother from doing so?
Shivaji appears to have followed orthodox Hinduism so banning satī outright would go against the kṣatriya code.
For the lives of the Bhagwat saints were full of gentleness and love. Theirs was a ...
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3
votes
Is kansa from the family of Shatrughna (Brother of lord Rama)
Kansa was from Chandravansha > Yadava > Bhoja family.
The wicked son, of ill-regulated soul, of the old Bhoja king, having usurped his father's sovereignty during the latter's life-time, subjected ...
- 23.9k
3
votes
Accepted
Why Vrishketu not ascended the throne of Hastinapur
First by defintion, Karna was a Kanina and could be made king
Manusmriti 9.172 says
pitṛveśmani kanyā tu yaṃ putraṃ janayed rahaḥ |
taṃ kānīnaṃ vadennāmnā voḍhuḥ kanyāsamudbhavam || 172 ||
...
2
votes
What is the rationale behind the statement that all kings have to spend at least some time in hell?
Yudhishtira was simply In hell. He was not Tortured in hell.
The keyword is 'behold'.
A king is supposed to know the sufferings of their subjects. The only way they can do so is to experience pain ...
- 8,001
2
votes
Accepted
Does Hinduism permit kings to act tyrannical?
No, Hinduism forbids kings from acting tyrannical.
Some verses from the Manusmriti:
The king, who, without affording protection, takes tributes, taxes,
duties, presents and fines, would immediately ...
- 21.9k
2
votes
What are the major examples of Brahman or Sage became King in Hinduism?
Here is the list of empires made by Brahmins who crowned themselves kings.
Sena Empire
The Shunga Empire of Magadha was established By Pushyamitra Shunga[5]
The Kanva Dynasty replaced the Shunga ...
- 625
2
votes
Accepted
Instances and recommendations by Hindu Scriptures of higher castes working for the welfare of lower classes as public servants
I am giving some quotes that may or may not be the ones you are looking for.
There are indeed verses in Hindu scripture that seem to show cruelty towards the lower classes. However, a Hindu is not ...
- 35.8k
2
votes
Accepted
Separation of the Church and State in Hinduism
This question can't be answered since Hinduism has no church. However, if this is a question about how a King should behave towards his subjects then it can be answered.
King must not be a tyrant
O ...
- 35.8k
1
vote
Did Maharaja Dasaratha rule Bharata only, or the complete Earth?
Dasharatha ruled only the Kosala kingdom. He didn't rule entire India or world.
The borders of Dasharatha's kingdom ends at Syandika River -
The said Rama showed to Sita the land (of Kosala, the ...
- 512
1
vote
Instances and recommendations by Hindu Scriptures of higher castes working for the welfare of lower classes as public servants
This is in reference to the role and the social contribution of priestly class .
An ideal Brahmin is not a slave of sensual pleasure ,upholds the Vedic dharma, offers protection not only to humans ...
- 2,146
1
vote
Accepted
What is that method by which a king ruling his subjects may, in consequence of it, obtain great blessedness and eternal fame?'
In short, the following provides an answer. But the elaborate answer on how a king should ideally behave and act can be as long as a whole chapter of Manu Smriti.
Manu Smriti 8.172. By taking his due,...
- 111k
1
vote
Accepted
Is the law of karma violated when entire countries get punished for the evil actions of certain individuals?
This objection is actually brought up in the discourse between King Aila and Rishi Kashyap.
Aila says,
'If chastisement touches all viz., the honest and the wicked alike, in
consequence of the ...
- 21.9k
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