31
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 ...
- 25.7k
24
votes
What is Hinduism's view on abortion?
Abortion is strictly forbidden. Here is what this chapter of the Gautama Dharma Sutras says:
A woman becomes an outcast by procuring abortion, by connection with a (man of) lower (caste) and (the ...
- 96.9k
23
votes
Accepted
What are some scientific facts described in Hindu scriptures?
I do not like to call anything discovered now as 'scientific fact' as any fact which is established now can be disproved in the future. (For eg. quantities like mass, time etc.. were considered ...
- 48k
21
votes
Accepted
What is difference between Shruti and Smriti?
Shruti(श्रुति) means that which has been heard or communicated from the beginning.
Veda(वेद) are Shruti scripture. It is said/believed that Rishi in the state of Tapasya heard Vedas directly from ...
- 25.9k
20
votes
Accepted
What are the after-effects of insulting gods or goddesses?
A punishment which one has to face in the afterlife is given in Devi Bhagavata Purana 9.33.
The wretch that abuses Mûla Prakriti, the Vedas, the S’âstras,
Purânas, Brahmâ, Visnu, S’iva and the ...
- 111k
18
votes
Accepted
How many available smritis are there in total?
There are 18 major Smritis in Hinduism. The Yajnvalkya Smriti chapter 1 verses
given below mention the 18 respective authors.
Manu, Atri, Vishnu, Harita, Yajnavalkya, Usana (or ...
- 111k
16
votes
Accepted
Are curses(saapa) effective in Kali Yuga?
As per the Parashara Smriti, curses(saapa) are effective in Kali Yuga as well very much like the previous 3 Yugas.Only difference being in the time after which the curses take effect.
For example,In ...
- 111k
15
votes
Accepted
Are married women allowed to fast religiously(vrata)?
There are countless verses in scriptures which counter this verse. Parashara Smriti is a Smriti text and Puranas are also Smriti text thus they have equal authority. Thus we can counter this verse by ...
- 48k
14
votes
What is Hinduism's view on abortion?
Here is my partial answer.
Abortion is a grave sin.The Parashara Smriti says that the sin is even greater than in the case of killing a Brahmin.And killing a Brahmin is considered as one of the 5 ...
- 111k
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) ...
- 111k
13
votes
Accepted
Which scriptures say that the Kings and Kshatriyas are allowed to hunt animals?
Bhishma says this to Yudhishthira in Mahabharata Book 13 of Anushasana parva Chapter CXVI http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13b081.htm
"Bhishma said, 'It is even so, O mighty-armed one, as thou ...
- 1,661
12
votes
Which smṛtis (dharma śāstras) are to be followed in Kali-yuga?
The Dharma Shastra (the rule book of what to do and what not to do) to be followed in Kali Yuga is Parashara Smriti only & not those of Manu and others. This is as per the Parashara Smriti .
I ...
- 111k
12
votes
What is Hinduism's view on abortion?
The sage Vyasa gives the following reasons for having written the Mahabharata.
As the full-moon by its mild light expandeth the buds of the water-lily, so this Purana, by exposing the light of ...
- 35.8k
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 ...
- 48k
12
votes
Does Hindu morality come from scripture or is it the other way round?
Morality comes from scripture. For starters, here is what Adi Shankaracharya says in this section of his Brahma Sutra Bhashya, which is actually about the subject of animal sacrifice:
[The reasoning ...
- 96.9k
12
votes
What are the after-effects of insulting gods or goddesses?
Such actions can be done in following ways:
Unintentional
One doesn't intend to harm, but due to some indirect actions, a person ends up damaging something. This doesn't result in anything as there ...
- 19.7k
12
votes
What are the after-effects of insulting gods or goddesses?
From Shiva Gita, Virodhi Bhakti too if in excess resulting into devotion, can become cause of liberation.
अनादरेण शाठ्येन परिहासेन मायया . शिवभक्तिरतश्चेत्स्यादन्त्यजोऽपि विमुच्यते [21]
Anyone ...
- 15.6k
11
votes
Does Hindu morality come from scripture or is it the other way round?
Laws of morality or the laws pertaining to what's good and what's bad are the ones which are laid down in the scriptures.
So, its definitely not the other way round.
Vedo Akhilo Dharmamulam ...
- 111k
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 ...
- 111k
10
votes
What is difference between Shruti and Smriti?
"Sruti" means which has been heard.Sruti refers to the Vedas.
"Smriti" however refers to the Dharma Shastras.Smriti means which has to be remembered.It also means traditions that has to be remembered....
- 111k
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
...
- 23.9k
10
votes
From which scripture does Adi Shankara quote about Maheswara shaping name and forms of all beings from the words of Veda?
This quote with slight variation is present in Chapter 7, Purvabhaga of Kurma Purana.
अव्ययं च व्ययं चैव द्वयं स्थावरजङ्गमम्। तेषां ये यानि कर्माणि
प्राक् सृष्टेः प्रतिपेदिरे॥ ६४॥ तान्येव ते ...
- 31k
10
votes
Accepted
English or Hindi translation of Vyasa Smriti
Since Hindi translation will work for you, you can download it from here.
The PDF not only has Vyasa Smriti but it has got 18 Smritis in all (Sanskrit verses+Hindi translation).
From the image given ...
- 111k
9
votes
Accepted
Relations with Cows?
It is forbidden. Intercourse with all animals is forbidden, it's just that the Prayaschitta required is more arduous in the case of a cows than in the case of another animal. Here is what the Atri ...
- 96.9k
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.
...
- 111k
9
votes
Can a younger sibling marry before elder sibling in Hinduism?
As per Smritis, such an act (in case of brothers) is considered as a sin.
3.171. He must be considered as a Parivetti who marries or begins the performance of the Agnihotra before his elder brother,...
- 111k
9
votes
Accepted
Which scriptures mention about Sutak dosha (various prohibitions on child birth)?
which scriptures mention about Sutak dosha?
Manu Smriti, Chapter 5 declares ten days of Sutaka (impurity) for Sapinda.
A man who hears of a (Sapinda) relative's death, or of the birth of a son ...
- 23.7k
9
votes
Accepted
Which scripture say any woman having intercourse with 5 different men is a prostitute?
The Devi Bhagavata Purana says so.
In the Purana's 35th Chapter of the 9th Book,, Yamaraja says:
1-44. Dharmarâjan said :-- O Chaste One! Without serving the Gods, the
Karma ties can never be ...
- 111k
9
votes
Accepted
Is hiding one's caste a punishable offense?
In Hinduism the sin of Brahminicide is considered as one of the most grave sins. Now, claiming (falsely) oneself to be someone of a higher caste is regarded as a similar offence.
This is as per the ...
- 111k
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 ...
- 111k
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